Guide to Tech Riders and Stage Plots for Shows and Tours
- Off Trail Studios
- Dec 22, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 21
Updated: August 2026
Tech Riders and Stage Plots give venues, promoters, and sound engineers the information they need to prepare your live setup before you arrive. They can be as simple as one vocal mic and backing tracks, or detailed enough for a full band with several monitor mixes, playback, backline, and wireless gear.
You do not need to make your setup look more complicated than it is. The rider should simply reflect the show you actually perform and give production enough information to prepare for it.
What Is a Tech Rider?
A Technical Rider (Tech Rider) outlines the technical requirements for your live performance. It tells the venue who is performing, what you are bringing, what you need them to provide, and anything else the sound or production team needs to know before the show.
It is not a wishlist or a collection of equipment photos. Unless a specific make or model matters to your performance, the venue mainly needs to know what is required and how it fits into your setup.
✹ Example: Simple Tech Rider Overview
Section | Example |
Lineup | Lead Vocal + Saxophone |
Artist Provides | Backing tracks + wireless sax system |
Venue Provides | PA, sound engineer, vocal mic + stage monitor |
Inputs | Tracks L/R, Lead Vocal, Saxophone |
Monitoring | 1 shared monitor mix |
What Should a Tech Rider Include?
1. Artist + Show Information
Start with enough information for the venue to identify the correct artist, show, and version of the rider. Include a last updated date so an old version is less likely to be used by mistake.
✹ Example
Information | Details |
Artist / Band | The Wildflowers |
Performance Date | 12 October 2026 |
Venue | Example Venue |
City / Country | Brighton, UK |
Technical Contact | Alex Smith - alex@example.com |
Last Updated | September 2026 |
2. Lineup + Equipment
List everyone performing and what they do, then separate what you are bringing from what you need the venue to provide. This can include microphones, instruments, playback gear, DIs, monitors, IEM systems, stands, and backline.
Backline means larger stage equipment such as drum kits, guitar and bass amps, keyboards, percussion, and DJ equipment. Be specific about anything the venue needs to supply instead of writing something vague like "full backline required." If a particular model is preferred rather than essential, include an acceptable alternative.
✹ Example
Artist / Band Provides | Venue Provides |
Guitars + pedalboards | Vocal microphones + stands |
Cymbals + snare | Drum shells + hardware |
Playback laptop + interface | 2 x DIs |
IEM system | PA + mixing console |
Sound engineer | |
Preferred: Fender Twin Reverb | Acceptable: Similar clean guitar combo | |
3. Input / Channel List
An Input List, sometimes called a Channel List, shows every sound source that needs to connect to the venue's mixing console. Each row should show the source, how it connects, and any useful notes for the engineer.
For a larger band, inputs are normally grouped in a familiar order: drums, bass, guitars, keys, playback, then vocals. Only include the channels your show actually uses. If you bring your own wireless vocal or instrument system, include the make/model and receiver information where possible.
✹ Example
Ch. | Source | Mic / Connection | Notes |
1 | Backing Tracks L | DI | Stereo playback |
2 | Backing Tracks R | DI | Stereo playback |
3 | Lead Vocal | Wireless vocal mic | Reverb |
4 | Saxophone | Wireless receiver | Reverb |
4. Backing Tracks + Playback
If you perform with backing tracks, samples, stems, or a click track, note what device you use, who controls playback, whether the tracks are mono or stereo, and how they connect to the venue's sound system. If you expect the venue engineer to cue your tracks, confirm this before the show.
✹ Example
Playback | Details |
Device | Laptop + audio interface |
Tracks | Stereo |
Controlled By | Artist |
Connection | Outputs 1-2 to FOH |
Venue Provides | 2 x DI + XLR connections |
5. Monitoring
Monitoring is what performers hear on stage, usually through floor wedges or in-ear monitors (IEMs). Note how many separate mixes you need and the main sources each performer needs to hear. If you bring an IEM system, say what part of the system you provide and whether you need outputs or other equipment from the venue.
✹ Example
Mix | Performer(s) | Requested Mix |
Mix 1 | Lead Vocal + Saxophone | Backing tracks + vocal + sax |
Mix 2 | Drums | Full band + click |
6. Power + Production Notes
Note any stage power the venue needs to prepare for, such as pedalboards, playback rigs, keyboards, DJ equipment, or IEM racks. You can also include short lighting or staging notes if they matter to the show. More involved lighting, video, projection, timecode, or special effects may need a separate production rider.
For UK shows, mains power is typically 230V / 50Hz. For US shows, it is typically 120V / 60Hz. If you are travelling internationally, check that your equipment is compatible with the local voltage and plug type.
✹ Example
Requirement | Details |
Power | 2 outlets stage left for pedalboards |
Playback Power | 2 outlets upstage for playback + IEM rack |
Lighting | Warm/red wash preferred; no strobes; haze okay |
What Is a Stage Plot?
A Stage Plot is a simple visual showing where performers and equipment are positioned on stage. It works alongside your Tech Rider, giving the venue a quick reference for how everything should be laid out before you arrive.
Your Stage Plot should show anything the venue needs to position, connect, or prepare on stage, including where relevant:
Each performer and their instrument or role
Vocal and instrument microphones
Stage monitors / wedges
Guitar and bass amps
Drum kit
Keyboards or DJ equipment
Playback equipment
Power locations
IEM racks or other technical equipment
Risers, if required
It should also make the stage orientation obvious. Label upstage and audience / downstage so there’s no confusion about which direction the diagram is facing.
✹ Example: Stage Plot
How to Make a Stage Plot
Stage Plot doesn’t need to be beautifully designed. Clear labels and an easy-to-read layout are much more useful to a sound engineer than a decorative diagram.
Keep each performer and important piece of equipment clearly labelled, and make sure it matches the information in your Tech Rider. If your rider requests three monitor mixes but the Stage Plot only shows one wedge, the venue won’t know which setup is current.
You can create your own Stage Plot in design software or use a dedicated stage plot builder.
Stage Plot Builders: TecRider & Stage-Plan
Advancing the Show: Sending Your Tech Rider & Stage Plot
Your Tech Rider and Stage Plot show your standard or preferred setup. The venue will have its own house specs, which list the equipment and facilities already available. Once the show is booked, compare the two and confirm any differences before show day. This is often called advancing the show.
✹ Example Workflow
Send your current Tech Rider + Stage Plot.
Ask for the venue’s current house specs.
Confirm what the venue can provide.
Arrange anything you still need to bring or hire.
Send an updated rider if your setup changes.
✹ Example Email
Hi [Venue], could you send over your current house technical specs so we can confirm our setup against the venue equipment?
Before the show, also confirm load-in, soundcheck, set time, changeover time, technical contact, parking / loading access, and any backline arrangements.
Hospitality Rider
A Hospitality Rider is a separate document covering the non-technical side of the show, such as:
Food and drinks
Dietary requirements
Dressing rooms
Towels
Accommodation
Transport
Guest list arrangements
Keep technical requirements in your Tech Rider and hospitality requests in their own document.
Final Takeaway
A Tech Rider only needs to be as detailed as your performance requires. A singer using one vocal mic and backing tracks may only need a page. A full band with playback, IEMs, backline, and more channels will need more detail.
Keep it current, make your requests specific, and make sure the Stage Plot matches. The venue should be able to open your rider and understand the setup without having to chase you for basic information.
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