Top Things That Artists Should Include in a Rider

This is a reference checklist for bands building or updating a rider. It covers every section a professional band rider should contain, with notes on what each one needs to include and why venues need it.

If you’re not sure what a band rider is or why you need one, start with Band Riders 101 first. If you want a step-by-step guide to writing each section, the full how-to guide walks you through it in order. This article is for bands who are ready to build and want a list to work from.

Your tech rider goes to the sound engineer and production team. It covers everything they need to set up your stage before you arrive.

Stage plot

• A visual diagram of your full stage setup — where each band member stands, what instrument they play, where amps sit, where monitoring goes
• Band member names and instrument labels on each position
  Amp positions and sizes (if relevant to stage space)
• Monitor/wedge positions and how many
• Any equipment that takes up significant stage space: keyboard risers, drum risers, pedalboards
• Instrument changes mid-set if they affect the stage layout
• For a detailed breakdown of how to create one, see our complete stage plot guide.

Input list

• Channel number for every input, in channel order
• Input source: what’s being plugged in (kick drum, lead vocal, bass DI, etc.)
• Microphone or DI type, if you have a preference or bring your own
• Whether each input is provided by the band or needs to come from the venue
• Notes per channel: anything the engineer needs to know (e.g. ‘runs through tuner’, ‘needs a pad’, ‘stereo pair’)
• Any playback sources: backing tracks, click track, samples, note what they’re running from and how they’re routed

Monitor requirements

• Number of monitor mixes you need
• What each mix should contain (which instruments, which vocals)
• Whether you use in-ear monitors and if so whether you bring your own IEM system
• If you use no monitors and can run from front of house only, note this, it’s useful for smaller venues

Backline

• Guitar amps: make, model, wattage if you need the venue to provide one
• Bass amp: same
• Drum kit: sizes, hardware, cymbals if venue-provided. Specify if you bring your own kit.
• Keyboards: whether you bring your own or need the venue to provide
• If the band is fully self-contained: state this clearly. It’s helpful.

Changeover and soundcheck

• How long you need for soundcheck
• How long you need for changeover from the previous act
• Load-in time required before soundcheck
• Whether you need a line check only or a full soundcheck

Your hospitality rider goes to the venue manager or promoter. It covers what you need off-stage to perform well and get through the day comfortably.

Keep this proportionate to the gig. A headline slot at a 500-cap venue warrants different requests to a support slot at a pub. Venues at grassroots level are usually willing to provide reasonable basics. The key word is reasonable.

Food and drink

• Water on stage and backstage, always include this, regardless of everything else
• Hot drinks if it’s an evening show: tea, coffee, preferences
• A meal or snacks if you’re travelling to the gig, be specific about what you need
• Dietary requirements for every band member and crew
• If the venue doesn’t provide food, a request for a local food recommendation is reasonable to include

Dressing room / green room

• Number of people who need access (band plus crew)
• Whether you need a private space to warm up
• Whether you need anywhere to securely store gear or personal items
• Seating and a mirror if you want to specify (optional, most venues have this if they have a room at all)

Parking and load-in

• Number and type of vehicles in your party
• Amount of gear you’re bringing in, so the venue can plan load-in space
• Whether you need a load-in trolley or any assistance
• Any access requirements if you have large or heavy equipment

Guest list

• Number of guests on your list
• Whether plus-ones are included
• How names should be submitted and by when
• Who to contact at the door on the night

Promo and merch

• Whether you need a merch table and where it should be positioned
• Any promotional assets the venue needs from you in advance (photos, bio, logo format)
• Social media handles for the venue to tag when promoting the show

Every rider should end with direct contact details for the day of the show. Not a booking email. Not a manager’s office. The phone number for the person who will actually be at the venue.

• Name and role of the primary contact on the day (band manager, tour manager, or a band member)
• Direct mobile number
• Best time to reach them on show day

Run through this before every send, not just the first time you write the rider.

1. Is this the current version? Does it reflect your actual current lineup, setup, and requirements?
2. Are you sending it to the right person? Find the production contact, not just the booking inbox.
3. Are you sending it at least a week out? If not, send it now and flag that it’s later than ideal.

The free Stage Portal rider template covers both sections in the right order with notes on how to fill each part in. If you want a system that keeps your rider live and up to date across every booking automatically, Stage Portal’s rider builder sends the current version to venues every time, no re-uploading PDFs, no version confusion.

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