A Band for an Outdoor Event - the Organiser’s Checklist

An open-air concert is the most rewarding and the most demanding format at once: the audience comes and goes, the weather is a lottery, and the stage often stands where a car park usually is. Here is a checklist that will save the nerves of anyone organising a live band in the open air.

Stage and roofing

Instruments and electronics cannot stand in the rain or in full sun. A covered stage is the standard - also check that the platform is stable and has room for a drum kit and five musicians in motion, because high-energy folk is not a “standing at music stands” kind of show.

Power and sound

• 230V power on stage, with extension strips at every position,
• a PRO-class sound system run by an engineer,
• monitors - good bands bring their own system and describe it clearly in the rider,
• time for load-in and soundcheck before the audience arrives (for us: at least 60 minutes of set-up and 30 minutes of soundcheck).

Running order and communication

The most common outdoor-event problem is not the tech but the schedule: delays, no contact person at the stage, an unclear set time. Appoint one contact person on the organiser’s side and set a realistic slot - the band will match the set length (30 to 90 minutes) to the flow of the event.

Promo materials

Poster, the town’s social media, the MC’s announcement - the earlier you receive photos, a bio and a logo from the band, the easier the promotion. Propabanda’s complete materials are ready to download in the media kit, and our open-air experience is described on the harvest festivals and outdoor events page.