Backline Hire Checklist for Festivals
If your day has tight changeovers and multiple artists, this is the checklist that keeps everything moving — drums, amps, keys, stage plots, inputs, spares, delivery windows and on-site tech.
Why festivals go wrong (and how to avoid it)
Most festival delays aren’t caused by “big” problems — they’re caused by tiny missing details: a drummer expects their own kick pedal, a keyboard needs a proper stand and stereo DI, an act turns up with a left-handed setup, or load-in access is tighter than anyone thought.
Advance info to collect (before you book anything)
Get these answers early and everything else becomes easier:
- Schedule: get-in, soundcheck blocks, doors, set times, curfew, load-out
- Access: loading bay location, parking, stairs/lifts, distance to stage, time windows
- Stage plan: stage size, risers, drum position(s), keys position, amp wings
- Power & patching: where power drops are, FOH/monitor world positions
- Acts + expectations: who brings cymbals/snare/pedals; what must be provided
- Backline policy: “Festival kit shared” vs “per act kit” (or hybrid)
- Point of contact: stage manager / production manager + day-of phone number
Festival backline spec checklist (drums / amps / keys)
Drums
- Shell sizes: kick (18/20/22), toms (10/12/14/16 etc.)
- Hardware: hi-hat stand, snare stand, 2–3 cymbal stands, rack/floor mounts
- Kick pedal: festival-supplied or artists bring their own?
- Throne: supplied, and do you need 2 on busy stages?
- Cymbals: supplied pack, or “artists bring cymbals” policy?
- Snare: supply one “neutral” snare or per-act snares?
- Drum rug + riser: is a riser required for sightlines?
Guitars
- Amps: combo vs head/cab, and “equivalent acceptable”?
- Quantity: 1 rig shared, or multiple rigs for fast swaps?
- Backline positions: stage left/right, amp mic preference (front/side)
- Power: clean power at amp wings + spare IEC leads
Bass
- Rig: head/cab vs combo, and DI requirements
- Cab size: depends on stage/genre — confirm expectations
- Spare speaker cable + DI: the “2-minute save” items
Keys / synths
- Instrument: stage piano/workstation/synth (model or equivalent)
- Stand type: don’t assume — X-stand vs table stand matters
- Sustain pedal: supplied (and compatible)
- DI: mono or stereo DI, plus short patch leads
- Monitoring: wedge/IEM requirements (confirm early)
Changeovers: shared kit vs per-act kit
A shared festival kit is fast, but only if everyone knows the rules. The common “best of both” approach is:
- Festival provides shells + core hardware
- Artists bring snare + cymbals + kick pedal (where possible)
- Backline tech keeps placement consistent and swaps parts quickly
Spares & “small stuff” that saves the day
These are the items that stop a 30-minute delay turning into a 2-minute fix:
- Spare instrument leads, short patch leads, spare DI
- IEC/kettle leads, extension reels, adaptors, gaffer, labels
- Drum spares: felts, clutches, springs, key, wing nuts, memory locks
- Spare kick pedal (or at least a backup spring/strap)
- Basic tool kit (multi-tool, drum key, small spanners)
If you want a simple way to present “what’s available”, link your equipment pages from your advance pack: Backline Equipment and Stage Management.
Copy/paste email template (send this for a fast quote)
Copy, paste, fill the blanks — this gets you accurate quotes with fewer back-and-forth emails.
Need festival backline that runs smoothly?
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