MONTESS(UK)

Testimonials.

Lydia – Liverpool, October 2024 – Outstanding

I’ve hired Montess A number of times in the past for various events. So, it was a no brainer for my 50th. Montess and his crew were as professional as ever, even though it was touch and go whether he’d be able to make the trip as he was seriously ill. However, He travelled and did a wonderful job, playing a wide range of alternative music.

Samantha and Chris Owens – Milford Haven July 2022 - Devine music

My husband and I booked Montess for our Wedding, the music was amazing our and others choice were played. Everyone had a great time. In August this year we both went to a 50th birthday party and the music provided was as someone said awesome, all enjoyed, the consultation to discuss what YOU would enjoy was very professionally done.

Mark and Jane Watson – Alton June 2015 – Excellent

As Amateur ballroom dancers, we wanted a ballroom theme for our 25th wedding anniversary. We were told about Montess, and after lengthy consultations, he delivered an amazing night. Combining all of our ballroom music with an electric party atmosphere. His team transformed the hall, into a authentic ballroom. Would highly recommend

Mark and Paul Richards – Slough – 2010 – Wedding Reception

Montess’s set was excellent from the start of evening to the end. He played a wide range of music that was absolutely appropriate and there was no let-up of dancing from our guests. I would recommend highly.

Fiona and Carl Smithe – Slough – 2008 – Wedding Party

We had briefed Montess on what we would like played and the tone of the wedding, leaving him and his team to oversee the whole days entertainment. Punctual with a discreet and rapid set up, Montess provided a fantastic entertainment with five-star approval ratings from our guests. Polite, professional and easy to deal with, we would happily hire again and recommend with pleasure.

Sir Terry Wogan

Over the last four decades, we have worked for a high number of clients, many have left us with some fantastic reviews. We have been lucky enough to have worked for and performed at galas, attend by royalty, worked with celebrities. In 1987 we received a letter from Sir Terry Wogan. This is a small extract.

As vice-president of Taplow Cricket Club, I’d like to thank you for your tireless and professionalism in supporting the club and venue over the last year. We are grateful for the support you have provided in our charitable endeavours and hope that you will continue to support Taplow Cricket club. Wishing you all the best for 1988.

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THE MONTESS FOUNDATION.

The Montess Foundation. Providing entertainment for charities, communities and for the less fortunate.

For more than four Decades, Montess have been dedicated to helping the local Community and Charities by offering Roadshows for fundraising, galas and fetes. At preferential rates or in many cases pro-bono. *

Beginnings

In 1982, Montess, then trading as Steve Knight’s disco Roadshows, received an enquiry from a couple known for having, let’s say, unsavoury acquaintances, that were looking to hire a DJ for their twin sons 21st Birthday party at a local village hall. After a conversation it appeared that another DJ had taken the booking, and had bailed after the father had been made suddenly “redundant” and had asked that DJ if he’d accept slightly less. Montess, at the time decided against everyone’s advice to take the booking, and to show good will by actually doing it pro-bono.

The booking went well, and a number of business cards were handed out, which led to a unique situation. Within a few weeks, Montess had received a number of enquiries from not only private individuals, but a number of companies from Slough Trading Estates. It transpired that the couple had been so grateful, they’d told their friends and family about Montess’s generosity during and after the party.

That one charitable event, catapulted Montess into a different world, partnerships with O2, GEA, MARS, Ferrari, Cell Tech and Sara Lee. Which in turn led being on the preferred suppliers lists for Cliveden House Hotel, Burnham Beeches Hotels, The Grosvenor Group and even Elton John's Residency in Windsor.

This gave Montess, an idea. Once every quarter, he would pick at random a reservation, without telling the client until it became time to settle the bill, to donate the payment to a charity of their choice.

In 1983, gaining residency at the Swan Vaults, whose patrons included, Sir Terry Wogan, Ernie Wise, and The Danial’s. Who, all engaged Montess’s services at local charitable events, that eventually led to working for international charities, such as Mencap, Children In Need and National Aids Trust, amongst others, having performed at functions attend by the Queen Mother and Princess Diana.

The Foundation

The Foundation serves as a portal that separates Montess’s charitable work from the core business. And is open to all local charities and community groups.

Simply Email or call and speak to one of our experienced team members. There is no “catch” per-se, we simply ask in return to be recognised for our contribution on all advertising, whether verbal or written.

To reiterate, the foundation is our way to provide, roadshows to local charities and communities. To help them raise much need funds through events, balls, and fund-raising.

The foundation is also available for those less fortunate to be able to afford to celebrate and can be access via local Charities. Please Email, or call 07508 985910 for more details

Due to some unscrupulous individuals. Please be aware that the foundation does operate under a strict set of terms and conditions, these are available on request.

* Montess reserves the right to charge reasonable travel and accommodation expenses.

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About

Montess Roadshows started life in Burnham Buckinghamshire,in 1980 as Steve Knight’s Disco Roadshows before transforming in 2016 into Montess.

Steve Knight’s Disco Roadshows 1980 – 2016

Steve Knights Disco was borne by then fifteen-year-old Steve, after he’d been cohered into doing a set at a private party in a nightclub in the basement of the Fawlty Towers set in Cookham.

Located in Burnham Buckinghamshire, a village that borders Slough and it’s trading estates to the east and Maidenhead to the west. With the hamlets of Taplow, Dorney and Cliveden within the boundaries. The small company advertised within the local papers and over the course of a few years had taken a small number of bookings.

In March 1982, all that changed. A couple with “links” to the local Hells Angels Motorcycle group enquired about a disco for their twin sons twenty-first birthday. A booking that had been accepted by another more established DJ, and who had bailed after the husband had been made “redundant”. Despite being advised not to take the booking. Steve agreed not only to take the booking but to do it free of charge.

That decision was one of the best business decisions he ever made. That one charitable act, gave Steve Knight’s a foot hold into a number of international companies on Slough Trading Estate. MARS, Cell-Tech and Sara Lee being the most notable. As well as reservations literally going through the roof.

Swan Vaults 1982 - 1986

In 1982, Steve, through his work was offered a bi-weekly set at the Swan Vaults in Maidenhead. Which brought about a complete redesign of his Mobile Disco and the transformation into Steve Knight’s Disco Roadshow. Knowing that the patrons, would come and dine, he designed a set based around that. The first part of the evening during the covers, the music was kept at a background level. Loud enough to be heard, but soft enough so that diners didn’t have to shout. The second part of the evening, Steve introduced a cabaret style of entertainment. Pop quizzes, with giveaways, satire chats, introducing singers and live artists. Then towards the end of the evening, the basement was transformed into a small night club. It wasn’t just the running order, but the equipment was given a makeover. Becoming more discrete.

An Innovation that wasn’t lost on some of the patrons, who started to hire Steve for private parties. Patrons such as Sir Terry Wogan, Ernie Wise, Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee. Who, all engaged Steve, in addition for their own private parties, ranging from Dinner parties, to full on garden parties. But began to recommended him to their charities.

1986 – 2016

By the turn of the century, Steve Knight’s Disco Roadshows had grown from a small mobile Disco into possibly one of the largest disco roadshows in the southeast of England. With Ten associated roadshows covering the length of the United Kingdom. With a contractual database that was impressive to say the least. Being the on the preferred suppliers lists for most of the local hotel groups including the exclusive Cliveden House Hotel and the Grosvenor Hotel Group. Preferred supplier to a number of the local celebrities, including Terry Wogan, Paul Daniels and Sir Elton John’s residency in Windsor. Away from the company, Steve was following his own music career. For more on his amazing career click Here

In 2016, Steve Knights Disco Roadshows suffered a major setback. During the evening of February 16th. A robbery took place. Thieves broke into the storage unit and stole the majority of the company’s equipment. Despite this, Steve decided to try to rebuild and continue However, in 2016. On August 6th, His beloved mother passed away. Putting the rebuild on hold.

Montess Roadshows (UK) 2016 -

Steve rebranded, using his recording pseudonym of Montess. Originally under Montess-European Ltd. However, in 2019, after relocating to Pembrokeshire South Wales and the onslaught of the Covid years, it was decided that Montess-European Ltd didn’t quite explain our business and rebranding to Montess Roadshows (UK), was a better fit.

Montess is still committed to providing affordable, sophisticated and stylish Roadshows for every occasion, The Foundation that has now been in existence for four decades is still fully operational and we still retain the same motto since 1980. It shouldn’t cost the earth to have a good time.

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Montess

Montess. Who?

Montess, is an open format DJ and producer based in Pembrokeshire South Wales. Born in 1965 in London England. Whilst not a household name, he was during the 80’s and 90’s reputed to be one of the top vinyl session and London Club and Festival DJs. Mixes that he created whilst a session DJ for DMC are still played in clubs and by mobile DJs the world over.

He began Home DJing in 1974, Aged 9. At Secondary School, between 1976 and 1982, Montess was one of the School’s DJs and it was here he caught the eye of Ian Smith, A teacher during the day and Club DJ at night. It was through Ian, in 1979, he met Steven Howlett AKA DJ Froggy. The legendary DJ, was impressed. So impressed in fact, that he offered Montess a month of weekly mentoring sessions.

After being cohered into doing a private party at the Fawlty Towers Nightclub in Cookham during 1980, his mum gave him the pseudonym of Steve Knight, after his CB handle. And with a investment from his gramps, he set about building Steve Knights’ Disco Roadshows. Whose history can be found Here

During the 80s. Along with others, Steve transformed the way Mobile Discos were. The latter part of the 70’s and early 80’s Mobile Discos were loud and flashy, Lots of lights. Steve through residency at the Swan Vaults redesigned not only the running order of his roadshows, but made the equipment more bespoke. A concept that he took into the private, corporate and charity events. Breaking up his show into three elements. A concept that slowly filtered through to other discos and roadshows.

His unique flamboyant style of mixing, made him a favourite on the London club scene, with sets at the Hippodrome alongside his mentor Froggy. As well as being requested to DJ after parties, and for his celebrity cliental, sets at charity galas. Including at some attended by royalty.

Having DJed the London Club Scene, Steve turned in the late 80s and 90s to the Rave party scene as well as continuing to build Steve Knight’s Disco Roadshows. Working both local and national raves. Which eventually led on to being invited to festivals, including 2005’s first ever Tomorrowland.

After the theft of the roadshow in February 2016 and the passing of his mum in August. He rebranded, taking his recording pseudonym of Montess. He is still gigging after four decades, doing recent sets in London and Liverpool. As well as with his revived Montess Roadshow.

SESSION DJING AND RECORDING CAREER 1983 -

The Swan Vaults launch Steve into another music avenue. Amongst the patrons was the directors of the newly formed DMC Record Company. They invited Steve to come along to their studios in 1983, and lay down some mixes that were then distributed to the DJing fraternity.

It was through his involvement with DMC, that he entered the first ever DJ of the Year Competition in 1985. Reaching the last twenty and losing out to eventual winner Roger Johnson

Steve whilst proud of his session DJ Career, is rather modest about his involvement. As a session DJ, he was rarely credited with any of his work. However. Recording under a number of pseudonyms, including Steve Knight, The Knight and Montess. He recorded a number of mixes that were picked up by major record companies. That were either remixed in house, or used unedited on releases.

During the mid to late 80’s he was involved with the Music factory, the company behind Jive Bunny, as well as working with Dave Gilmour, Jeff Lynn, and the late Glen Fry.

As well as being commissioned to create demo mixes for artists such as Madness, Tina Turner and many others.

The Nineties, brought a change, the advent of techno, trance, rave and EDM. He began working for the Ministry of Sound. With uncredited mixes and part mixes appearing on at least five top five compilation albums.

This continued into the noughties, with uncredited mixes on twelve top five and three number one albums releases.

He is still producing and remixing today, and a sample of his work can be found on his Soundcloud page and on our YouTube Channel.

Please use the contact us link below if you wish to hire DJ Montess for club sets and festivals.

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Contact

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