What is Backline?
The term backline refers to musical equipment and gear that is hired and used for a performance.
This could include but is not limited to amplifiers, guitars, drum kits, keyboards, DJ decks, and other instruments.
Backline equipment rental is common when bringing in your own gear is not logistically possible.
Backline is utilized by performing artists both large and small for rehearsals, one-offs, festivals, and routed tours.
What is a Backline Rider?
A backline rider is a document that communicates the specific gear needs for an artist’s performance.
It’s a snapshot of the technical requirements for the gear the band will use. It can also include items the band or artist may need on stage such as tables, chairs, or music stands.
This document should be clear, concise, and easy to understand.
It is a subsection of the overall technical rider. A stage plot and input list will typically accompany a backline rider.
How to Create a Backline Rider
Let’s say you’re a tour manager working with a four-person band that consists of the following musician positions: guitar, bass, keyboard, and drum kit.
Step One: Making Backline Selections
Sit down with each individual player and identify the make and model of all the backline gear and any instruments they require.
Guitarist. This includes the type of amp they prefer, along with selecting any necessary guitars. Basic pedals such as a tuner can be requested, but it’s a good idea to bring your own pedal board since they are generally so specific to a player’s sound. Don’t forget to include cabling, capos, picks, and slides if you’re not traveling with them.
Bassist. This will be very similar to the guitar player. Identify what type of bass cabinet and bass head they are requesting, along with the kind of bass they play on.
Keyboardist. There are multiple different models of keyboards, and it’s important to talk with the musician and confirm what will work best for their needs. If the player is expecting a Nord Stage 3 and a Yamaha model shows up, it could lead to a very interesting show. The type of stand used and seating is also a consideration.
Drummer. Some questions to ask here may include preferences relating to drum brand, color, shell size, cymbal size, and type of heads and sticks used. Make sure to request the proper stands, hardware, and drum throne as well.
You can never ask too many questions in this department. Learning more about the playing style of the musicians you’re working with will only help you.
Step Two: Provide Alternative Selections
Backline vendors will often have very common gear requests readily available, but sometimes they won’t have a particular piece of equipment or they are already booked out due to a lot of competing traffic in the market.
Therefore, it’s good to go ahead and provide some secondary selections upfront. This helps to minimize additional back and forth, and the vendor can immediately see if they can fulfill your order.
If any type of substitution is going to be made, make sure that this is communicated to the player.
Step Three: Not Exactly Backline Equipment
Do you need any type of accessories for use on stage such as stands, sandbags, fans, or drum rugs? Be sure to include it and see if they can add it to the order.
If you are having issues sourcing any type of equipment, check in with your promoter rep or the venue to see what other solutions might be available.
Step Four: Location, Location, Location
Including a stage plot with your backline order is a good idea because it will help a local backline technician to place gear on stage prior to your arrival.
Specific instructions for how the gear is built on stage are also helpful. This could include the height and placement of drums and cymbals, or the order and direction in which keyboards should be placed on stands.
Another idea is to attach detailed example photos that show exactly how the gear has been set up on a previous gig.
Step Five: Other Bits of Additional Information
If you are touring overseas, don’t forget to request step-down convertors for power, along with local power strips. No worse feeling than having everything else ready to go, and realizing you don’t have the correct power.
Additionally, if you are planning to carry a fly pack, it can be good practice to include a note detailing what you’re providing. This helps the back-line company confirm if an omission was intentional.
Finally, make sure to include your contact information and when the date of when the document was last updated.
Why Having a Backline Rider is Useful
When preparing to go on tour, it’s all about creating systems that help you and the team you’re working with remain efficient.
For a busy artist, events are always added to a tour schedule. Being able to quickly identify backline gear requirements and source quotes and availability will help reduce headaches when you are buried.
It’s also a way to help the person on the venue or festival side stay organized. They are dealing with countless bands and other artists who have their own individual needs. Help them help you.
Having a backline rider is also useful because it helps to reduce fulfillment mistakes. If you’re building a custom email every time you need to hire gear, you are introducing potential errors from autocorrect or simple omissions.
Additionally, it can also help the talent buyer review potential costs when putting together an offer.
Where to Hire Backline Equipment
In most major cities, there are a number of different backline companies that will be able to take a look at your requirements and see if they can help you out. A local promoter rep will be able to point you in the right direction.
In smaller markets, it may be more difficult to find the gear you’re looking for, or you may have to rent in a larger city that’s nearby and have the gear delivered.
Sometimes the venue will have house gear available. Normally, it’s a basic setup that might include a guitar, amps, and drums.
If you’re trying to hire specialized instruments or boutique equipment, you will likely have to make special accommodations outside of music industry hubs.
Who Pays for Backline Rental?
The simple answer is that it depends on what the contract stipulates.
Backline expenses are generally considered an artist cost, but again, many festivals will offer backline gear as part of the deal.
If it’s for a press event or an award show, keep these invoices separate as they are often reimbursable by record labels.
Delivery and Pickup of Gear
If you end up hiring backline equipment for an event, make sure to advance parking and load in instructions for the technician who will be dropping the equipment off. On the tail end of the event, find out where gear needs to be staged for pickup.
Upon delivery of the equipment, it’s a good idea to check out the functionality of the gear sooner rather than later. This becomes important if anything is non-functional or incorrect.
Regardless of where you end up sourcing the gear, it’s important to confirm that the gear receives regular maintenance. A good backline vendor understands that certain items are prone to breakage, and you can sometimes request backups at no additional charge. IE: A kick pedal for a bass drum.
Endorsements
If any of the performers have backline endorsements, it’s important to highlight that in your rider, along with the contact information of your rep for any payments.
Keeping Your Backline Rider Updated
It’s good practice to keep all technical specifications of your backline rider up to date. When you update this document, make sure to pass it along to management and the booking agent.
Out-of-date documents have a way of showing up when you least expect it, so try your best to minimize those surprises by keeping things up to date.
Common Misconception
A common misconception is that backline equipment includes audio. Audio components such as microphones, audio consoles, and speaker cabinets are typically provided by an audio vendor.
There are some production vendors that will provide both, but it’s important to understand that there is a distinction between audio and backline.
Conclusion
Creating a backline rider is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your touring organization. It helps to streamline a very common process that you will frequently encounter in the live events industry. Making sure this document is up to date and provides the backline vendor with good information will help to ensure a successful show day.