How to write a technical rider for gigs

Introduction

You just booked a great gig for your band. It’s an open-air concert on a big stage with a huge PA and lighting system on a public square. And then, the day before the gig the promoter gives you a call and asks you to send your rider, and the needle scratches on the vinyl that’s playing in your head.

You say yeah, of course, no problem. But if you don’t have a technical rider made, you could freak out a bit. You ask yourself; No one ever asked me this, how am I going to make one, what is a rider, exactly? Don’t worry, it’s not complicated to write a rider. Only the fact that you don’t have one made, is what can make you frustrated.

Every band sooner or later comes to the point where it will be asked for a technical rider. In this article, I will show you how to write an awesome, yet simple rider for your band. Next time someone asks you, you’ll be glad you read this.

What is a technical rider

A technical rider is a documented list of technical information that a band provides to the sound manager or venue before a concert. The rider should contain all the information that the venue needs to know about your band’s requirements and placement on stage.

The sound manager can then prepare everything ahead so that there are no unnecessary delays during pre-concert.

A technical rider should be easy to understand and short.

Technical Rider vs Band (Artist) Rider

A technical rider contains all the information the sound technician, stage manager, promoter, or venue needs to know about your band’s technical requirements for the gig.

This type of rider is the most common one and is associated with not-too-famous performers playing small to mid-sized venues.

This is the type of rider we will be talking about here at Easy Music Gig.

On the other hand, a general artist’s rider has a broader list of requirements. In addition to a technical rider, it includes a catering/hospitality rider. A hospitality rider includes the band needs for:

• Food and beverage
• Accommodation (hotel)
• Transportation
• Backstage and onstage requests (towels, bottled water, fans,…)
• Special requests (backstage furniture, flowers, …)

What should a technical rider contain

1. Stage plot

First, it is good practice to mention all the band members, what instruments they play, who needs a singing microphone, and who is the main vocalist.

Make a graphic layout where it is clear where each player, amp, and drum kit will be placed on stage. Additional information like monitor positioning is fine too. If you need to bring your specific mic stand, clearly show it in the design.

Making the stage layout design, also called a stage layout or stage plan, is very easy thanks to many design tools available online for free like Techrider and other sources that provide tech rider templates for free. Simple apps are also available, some free, and some paid.

If you are in a hurry and can’t make a stage plot, at least write a simple overview of who and what goes where with words.

2. Input list

A spreadsheet is the easiest way to store all the input list details. This also goes for other stuff like monitoring information.

The input list is a list of all the channels you will need for your concert described in detail. Each input has these details

• Number
• What goes in. Main vocal, kick drum, solo guitar,…
• Which amp will be used, or no amp
• Microphone or DI to the mixer
• Which effects need to be used

Anything specific about an input should be mentioned in this list. For instance, if a vocalist uses a wireless microphone, write it in the input list

3. Backline

A backline is a list of technical gear that is needed for the concert. 

Venue backline

This list includes all the technical equipment you will need from the event organizer; 10” monitors, certain drum microphones, music stands, power requirements, chairs, and whatever you need from the venue.

Band backline

As the subtitle suggests, this is a list of all the equipment the band is bringing to the event. List all your amps, drum kit elements, keyboards, DI boxes, microphones, or microphone stands that your band is bringing to the concert.

4. Monitor requirements

Write down what each band member would like to hear on their monitor. This way the sound engineer doesn’t have to talk a lot with the band during sound check. The less talk, the faster and better the sound check will be.

If any member uses in-ear monitoring, this should be stated

5. Contact information

It is a nice touch for the venue to have some contact information about the band in the rider. 

One main and one secondary contact is enough. The secondary is for when the main isn’t available when needed. Include your phone number and email.

Keep your riders on the cloud

Make as many variations of your band’s rider as you need. Parameters that can potentially affect your rider are:

• Venue type and size; this can easily affect the type of gear you bring. Maybe you use an ampless guitar rig with DI for smaller gigs.
• Which members are playing; sometimes you will have the bass player playing on one side, and in another concert, the double bass player playing on the other side of the stage.
• The version of your band. My band plays as a trio or as a quartet.

Keep all your technical riders on the cloud for easy sharing. After that, when the venue asks for a rider, sending it is just a couple of clicks away.

Summary

Making a technical rider for your band is easy as you see. Basic listed information plus a diagram with what goes where on stage, is enough to help the stage manager, sound engineer, and promoter do their job. At the same time, you will be presenting yourselves as professionals.

Having a prepared rider is essential for a professional band that gigs a lot. Most of the gigs my band plays don’t require a rider since we are doing everything by ourselves. But every now and then, there comes a concert where the PA, lighting, sound technician, and stage are provided by the organizer.