Rider and Tech Specs: What Festivals Really Expect
For a festival, an artist's tech spec is not a detail: it is what tells whether the concert can happen, on which stage, and at what cost. Here is what technical teams want to find in it — and what makes them sigh.
For a festival, an artist's tech spec is not a detail: it is what tells whether the concert can happen, on which stage, and at what cost. Here is what technical teams want to find in it — and what makes them sigh.
1. Two documents, two roles
The tech spec describes what is needed to play: sound, lighting, stage. The hospitality rider describes what is needed to receive the team well: dressing room, meals, drinks, accommodation, transport. Mixing them into one long text makes life complicated for everyone. Two clear documents are already a sign of professionalism.
2. The stage plot and the input list
This is the heart of the tech spec. The stage plot shows where each musician, each instrument and each monitor stands. The input list details every microphone and every line, in order. With these two pages, the stage manager prepares your stage before you even arrive.
3. Equipment: be precise, and flexible
State what you bring and what the festival must provide (the “backline”: drums, amps, keyboards). Specify the models you want, but add acceptable equivalents. A festival often shares its equipment between several bands: the one who adapts gets through more easily.
4. A realistic rider
The hospitality rider is not a letter to Santa Claus. Ask for what the team really needs: water, a meal, a clean dressing room, towels. Outlandish demands drive the cost up and can tip the balance toward another artist. Also think of special needs (allergies, diets): they are legitimate and must be stated clearly.
5. A reachable technical contact
The festival's stage manager wants to talk to someone who knows your show. Give the name, phone number and email of your technician, or of the person who answers for you. A question settled the day before is a problem avoided on show day.
6. Send it early, and keep it up to date
The tech spec goes out with the contract, not the night before the concert. Date every version and update it at every lineup change. There is nothing worse than a stage prepared for five musicians when seven show up.
A word from Festival TV
Your tech spec is part of your press kit. Add it to your artist page on festivaltv.tv: programmers will see right away that you are ready for the stage.
Author's signatureAn article by Moïse 1er, Festival Explorer.
