Aussie Merger: S4 Productions, MJR Group

NSW-based tour company S4 Productions has merged with UK-based The MJR Group and will now operate in Australia as MJR Presents.

“This major investment and rebrand will help to build stronger links between both companies and the UK and Australian music promotion scene,” S4 said in a statement. S4 was set up May 2014 by Australian promoter Scott Mesiti and MJR’s London-based director Richard Buck to tour international acts. They brought out UB40, From The Jam and Michael Franti.

Mesiti explained, “However, after operating for a year, we’ve found that business is equally as busy promoting shows across Australia for homegrown talent, such as The Cat Empire, Xavier Rudd and more. What’s really exciting about this merger is we also now have a stronger network to support and promote Australian acts in the UK.”

MJR operates six venues in the UK, promotes more than 1,000 shows per year and runs four festivals, Ghostfest, Mutiny, Ska & Mod and Bristol Folk.

It already works with Australian acts including DZ Deathrays and Kim Churchill and, upcoming, The Amity Affliction.

Richard Buck said, “Australia has been producing a fantastic stock of quality acts for a while now so this is the perfect time for The MJR Group to invest in the Australian music scene. We are really proud to be the first UK music promoters to have a vested interest in an artist’s success both in Australia and the UK.”

The MJR Group will now operate out of Sydney and Port Macquarie in Australia and London and Bristol.