A band's tech rider lists the sound, backline and stage needs for your show, and the stage plot is a one-page diagram showing where each member stands and where every amp, monitor and input sits. Together they tell the venue's sound engineer how to set up before you arrive. Include an input list, monitor mixes, backline, power, a stage plot and a contact for tech questions, and keep the whole thing to one or two pages.
Tech rider vs hospitality rider
Bands use two kinds of rider and often send both in one document.
| Tech rider | Hospitality rider | |
|---|---|---|
| Who reads the rider | Sound engineer, production manager | Promoter, venue manager |
| Contents | Inputs, monitors, backline, power, stage layout | Food, drinks, guest list, dressing room, parking |
| When the rider matters | Before load-in and soundcheck | On the day |
| Must have for small gigs | Yes | Short version only |
This guide covers the tech side. For a 150-capacity club, three lines of hospitality requests go down better than a page of demands.
What to include in a band tech rider
1. Band and contact details
At the top of page one:
- Band name and number of members.
- Tour or show dates, if relevant.
- A tech contact with phone and email, usually whichever member knows the gear best. This is who the engineer calls.
- The date you last updated the rider.
2. Line-up and instruments
List each member and what they play. "Alex: lead vocal, acoustic guitar" tells the engineer to put a vocal mic and a DI at the same position.
3. Input list
Engineers read the input list first. Number every channel, with the source, your preferred mic or DI, and the stand type.
| Ch | Source | Mic or DI | Stand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kick in | Beta 91A | None |
| 2 | Kick out | Beta 52 | Short boom |
| 3 | Snare top | SM57 | Short boom |
| 4 | Hi-hat | Condenser | Short boom |
| 5 | Rack tom | e604 | Clip |
| 6 | Floor tom | e604 | Clip |
| 7 | Overhead L | Condenser | Tall boom |
| 8 | Overhead R | Condenser | Tall boom |
| 9 | Bass | DI | None |
| 10 | Guitar amp | SM57 | Short boom |
| 11 | Keys L | DI | None |
| 12 | Keys R | DI | None |
| 13 | Lead vocal | SM58 | Tall boom |
| 14 | Backing vocal | SM58 | Tall boom |
Write "or similar" after mic models. Small venues won't stock every model, and engineers prefer room to swap. Mark anything you bring yourself, such as an in-ear system or your own vocal mic.
Be honest about channel count. A venue with a 16-channel desk won't run 28 inputs, so keep a trimmed list for small rooms. On a small stage, a kick mic and two overheads often cover the whole kit.
4. Monitor mixes
Say how many monitor mixes you need and what each member wants to hear.
- Mix 1 (lead vocal, centre): vocal, acoustic guitar, a little keys.
- Mix 2 (guitar, stage left): vocal, guitar, kick.
- Mix 3 (keys, stage right): keys, vocal, bass.
- Mix 4 (drums, rear centre): bass, kick, vocal.
Many small venues only have two or three mixes, so note which members are happy to share.
5. Backline
List the amps, drum kit and other gear you bring, and what you need the venue to provide. Multi-band shows often share backline. Say whether you'll share your kit or amps, and which parts the drummer brings regardless (breakables like cymbals, snare and kick pedal).
6. Power
Mark where you need mains power on stage and how many sockets. Keyboards, pedalboards and in-ear systems all need power near the player.
7. Stage plot
Attach a diagram of the stage, as described below.
8. Set length and changeover
State your set length and how long you need for changeover and line check. "30-minute set, 10-minute changeover" helps the promoter build the running order.
How to draw a stage plot
A stage plot is a top-down view of the stage, drawn from the audience side. Fit it on one page and make sure it reads on a phone.
- Draw the stage as a rectangle with "audience" along the front edge.
- Place each member with their name and instrument.
- Add amps, the drum riser, keyboards and DI boxes.
- Mark each monitor wedge with its mix number.
- Add mic stands with the channel numbers from your input list.
- Mark power points.
- Label stage left and stage right from the performer's view, and say so on the page.
No special software needed. A free diagram tool, a slide app or a neat pen drawing scanned at high resolution all work. Export as PDF and PNG.
Match the channel numbers on the plot to the input list. When "Ch 13" on the plot lines up with "Ch 13: Lead vocal" in the list, the engineer sets up faster.
Formatting tips
- One or two pages in total. Engineers skim.
- Tables over paragraphs.
- Date and version number at the top.
- A clear file name, like "Glasshouse tech rider 2026.pdf" (Glasshouse is an invented band).
- A short version for small venues and a full one for festivals and bigger rooms.
When to send your rider
Send the rider once a show is confirmed, never in your first pitch. Send it again to the venue's sound engineer a week before the show, and bring two printed copies on the day.
Keep the rider on your EPK as well, so bookers and engineers find the details without asking. A clear rider tells a booker your band takes the job seriously. The EPK checklist lists the rider alongside the other sections bookers expect.
Common mistakes
- More inputs than the venue's desk has channels.
- Mic choices with no "or similar".
- A stage plot without channel numbers.
- A line-up nobody updated after a member left.
- More hospitality than tech for a club show.
- A 12-page document for a 30-minute support slot.
DJs need a different setup entirely. See how to write a DJ rider for decks, mixers and booth monitors.
Share your rider with your EPK
Artist Kit gives your band a free one-page EPK at artistkit.co/yourband. Put rider details in your bio or news section, and use the press kit download to share files. On Pro you upload a custom press kit, so your rider PDF and stage plot travel with your photos and bio. See the EPK for bands page for the full layout.