roadies
Concert setup workers
Roadies are the crew members who travel with musicians or bands to handle the physical labor of live performances—setting up and breaking down equipment, managing sound and lighting rigs, driving trucks, and keeping the show running.
The work is grueling and unglamorous: The roadies had the stage torn down by 2 a.m.
The term derives from being perpetually on the road.
Pre-show equipment transfer
- load-outEquipped item set
- setupHow something is arranged
- teardownDeliberate structure removal
- haulingTransporting heavy items
lifting · rigging · cases · cabling · unpack · pack · dolly · ramp
Skilled equipment handlers
- stagehandsBackstage technical workers
- riggersThose who install cables
- gaffersChief lighting technicians
- backlineRearmost defensive players
coordinators · loaders · drivers · runners · wardrobe · makeup · security · merchandise
Space for changing clothes
- cateringSupplying prepared meals professionally
- riderOne who mounts transport
- hospitalityGenerous treatment of guests
- credentialsEvidence of qualification or identity
laminate · setlist · quick-change · wing · curtain · intercom · showtime
Devices that increase signal
- monitorsTracks or displays
- speakersAudio output devices
- microphonesAudio input devices
- cablesHeavy ropes or wires
pedalboards · truss · scaffolding · pyrotechnics · sandbags · snake
load-in
Pre-show equipment transfer
hauling · lifting · rigging · cases · cabling · unpack · pack · dolly · ramp · truck
technicians
Skilled equipment handlers
- stagehandsBackstage technical workers
- riggersThose who install cables
- gaffersChief lighting technicians
backline · coordinators · loaders · drivers · runners · wardrobe · makeup · security · merchandise · caterers
dressing-room
Space for changing clothes
- cateringSupplying prepared meals professionally
- riderOne who mounts transport
- hospitalityGenerous treatment of guests
credentials · laminate · setlist · quick-change · wing · curtain · intercom · showtime
amplifiers
Devices that increase signal
- monitorsTracks or displays
- speakersAudio output devices
- microphonesAudio input devices
cables · pedalboards · truss · scaffolding · pyrotechnics · sandbags · snake
bus
Large passenger vehicle
cities · itinerary · schedule · hotel · advance · routing · miles · changeover · arena · club
- rock culturerock bands, rock stars, electric guitars, guitar solos, heavy metal
- theater peopleactors, actor, directors, actresses, actress
- rock musicrock band, electric guitar, guitar solo, guitar riff, guitar riffs
- theater termsplay, actors, stage play, limelight, directing
- celebrity entouragebodyguard, bodyguards, assistant, assistants, manager
- Concert Termsheadliner, opening act, headline act, main act, encore
roadiesperformers
Those who entertain audiences
artists · musicians · stars · headliners · lead singers
roadiescelebrities
Well-known public figures
stars · headliners · famous artists · household names · icons