What is a Rider?

What Is a Band Rider? Everything Artists and Bands Need to Know

A complete explainer on what band riders are, the different types, what goes in them, and why every band should have one before their next gig.

In this guide, we’ll break down what a band rider is, why you need one, and how to create one that helps you have stress-free shows.

What Is a Band Rider?

A rider is a document sent by a band or artist to a venue or promoter that outlines the specific requirements needed for the performance to go ahead. A band rider typically covers two areas: technical requirements (sound equipment, stage setup, inputs, monitoring) and hospitality requirements (food, drink, green room, parking). The rider is usually sent alongside or shortly after a booking confirmation, and is used by the venue's production team and crew to prepare for the show.

 

The word rider comes from the legal term for a clause that is added to or 'rides on top of' a main contract. In the context of live music, the performance contract sets the core terms, fee, date, set length and the rider attaches the practical requirements that need to be met for the show to happen.

Most people associate riders with stories of rock stars demanding unusual backstage items. In practice, a band rider is a straightforward operational document used by bands at every level of the industry, from debut shows at local venues to headline slots at major festivals. The content scales with the band's size and requirements, but the purpose is always the same: clear communication between the artist and the venue, before anyone sets foot on stage.

The Two Types of Band Rider

Most riders cover two distinct areas, which are often written as separate documents or clearly separated sections within a single document.

 

 

The tech rider
The technical rider, or tech rider, covers everything the venue's production team needs to set up the stage and sound system correctly before the band arrives. It is used by the sound engineer to prepare the mixing desk, by the stage manager to lay out the stage, and by the lighting operator to rig the lights. A complete tech rider removes the need for the band to explain their setup verbally at load-in, which saves time and reduces errors.

The hospitality rider
The hospitality rider covers the band's comfort and logistical requirements off stage. At grassroots level, this is usually simple: water, a basic meal or snacks, parking arrangements, and any specific dietary requirements. The hospitality rider becomes more detailed as bands scale, touring acts include hotel specifications, transport requirements, and dressing room setups. For most bands playing UK grassroots venues, a short hospitality section attached to the tech rider is sufficient.

The inclusion rider
A third type, the inclusion rider, has become increasingly common in recent years, particularly in the electronic music scene and at festivals. An inclusion rider makes provision for representation from underrepresented groups in the event lineup or personnel. It is less common at grassroots level but worth knowing about as its use grows across the industry.

Why Every Band Needs a Rider

A rider is not a demand list for established acts. It is a communication tool that every band playing live shows should be using, regardless of where they are in their career.

This is not about being demanding. It is about making it easy for the venue to put on a good show. A rider that is clear, honest about what the band actually needs, and sent to the right person at the right time is one of the most straightforward ways to build a professional reputation at grassroots level.

 

 

What to Include in Your Band Rider

The specific content of a rider depends on the size of the band, the type of show, and the complexity of the setup. A duo playing an acoustic set needs a much simpler rider than a six-piece with full backline. The guiding principle is to include everything the venue needs to know and nothing more, a clear, accurate rider is more useful than a comprehensive one full of redundant detail. Here are some essentials.

 

Tech rider essentials

 

• Stage plot: a simple diagram showing where each band member stands and what equipment they use
• Input list: a channel-by-channel list of every microphone and DI required
• Backline requirements: what amplifiers, drum kit, or other equipment the band needs the venue to provide vs what they are bringing
• Monitor requirements: what each band member needs in their monitor mix
• PA requirements: any specific front-of-house sound system requirements
• Soundcheck timing: a realistic estimate of how long the band needs
• Contact details: who to call with technical questions before the show

 

Hospitality rider essentials

 

• Food and drink requirements: including any dietary restrictions or allergies
• Water on stage: the minimum request and the most commonly forgotten
• Parking and load-in access: especially important at city venues or venues with restricted access
• Guest list: how many places the band needs and what the process is
• Accommodation details: for touring shows where overnight stays are required

How to Write a Rider Without Sounding Like a Diva

Riders should be clear, reasonable, and professional. Here’s how to do it:

The Most Common Rider Mistakes

Sending an outdated version
The most common rider mistake at grassroots level is sending a version that describes a previous lineup or an old setup. If your drummer has changed their kit, you have added a keyboard player, or your monitor requirements have changed since the last time you updated the document, the venue is preparing for a show that no longer exists. Update the rider every time the setup changes.

Sending it to the wrong person
A rider sent to the venue's general booking inbox or to the promoter may never reach the production team. The person who needs the rider is the sound engineer or stage manager, not the person who handles bookings. Ask specifically who the production contact is and send it directly to them.

Sending it too late
A rider that arrives the morning of the show gives the crew no time to prepare. Send it at least a week before the show. This gives the venue time to source any equipment they do not have, address any gaps, and ask questions before show day.

Making it unreadable
A rider that is cluttered, inconsistently formatted, or ambiguous creates more problems than no rider at all. Keep it clean, label everything clearly, and make sure the stage plot is simple enough to read at a glance. A sound engineer looking at your rider for the first time in a busy venue does not have time to decipher a complicated document.

Band Rider vs Stage Plot vs Input List

These three documents are related but distinct. All three are typically sent together as part of a band's pre-show pack.

 

Free Band Rider Template

Stage Portal's free rider template covers both key sections and is formatted to be read and used by sound engineers and venue production teams. Download it once and update it for every show. . Complete the form below to get your copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a band rider?
A band rider is a document sent by a band or artist to a venue or promoter that outlines everything needed for the performance to happen. It covers technical requirements such as sound equipment, stage layout, and input list, as well as hospitality requirements such as food, drink, and green room access. The rider is used by the venue's production team to prepare for the show in advance.

 

What does rider mean in music?
In music, a rider is an addendum to a performance contract that outlines the specific requirements of the performing artist. The term comes from legal language where a rider is a clause that attaches to or rides on top of a main agreement. In live music, the main contract covers the commercial terms of the performance and the rider covers the practical requirements. The word is used interchangeably with band rider, tech rider, artist rider, and music rider.

 

What is a tech rider for a band?
A tech rider, or technical rider, is the section of a band rider that covers the equipment and setup requirements for the performance. It includes a stage plot showing the physical layout of the stage, an input list detailing every microphone and DI box required, backline requirements specifying what equipment the venue needs to provide, monitor requirements, and any specific PA or lighting needs. The tech rider is used by the venue's sound engineer and stage manager to prepare the stage before the band arrives.

 

Do all bands need a rider?
Yes. A band rider is useful at every level of live music, from first local shows to headline tours. For newer and grassroots bands, a rider does not need to be long or complex, but having one signals professionalism, helps venues prepare properly, and reduces the risk of problems at soundcheck. Bands that send clear, accurate riders are easier to work with and are more likely to be rebooked. A basic rider covering the essential technical requirements and a few simple hospitality requests is enough for most grassroots shows.

 

What is the difference between a tech rider and a hospitality rider?
A tech rider covers the equipment and setup requirements needed for the performance itself: stage layout, inputs, microphones, backline, monitors, and PA. A hospitality rider covers the band's comfort and logistical needs off stage: food, drink, green room, parking, and accommodation. Both are typically sent together as part of a pre-show pack. For grassroots bands, the tech rider is the more important of the two. The hospitality rider becomes more detailed as bands grow and begin touring.

 

What should a band rider include?
A band rider should include: a stage plot showing the physical layout of the band on stage, an input list detailing every microphone and DI box required channel by channel, backline requirements specifying what the venue needs to provide versus what the band is bringing, monitor requirements for each band member, soundcheck timing, a contact number for technical questions, and basic hospitality requests such as water on stage, dietary requirements, and parking arrangements. The rider should be sent to the venue's production contact at least one week before the show.

 

Why is a rider called a rider in music?
The term rider in music comes from legal contract language. In law, a rider is a clause or addendum that is added to a main document and rides on top of it. In live music, the main performance contract sets the commercial terms of the show, and the rider attaches the operational requirements, such as equipment needs and hospitality requests, on top of those terms. The word has become standard across the live music industry to describe any pre-show requirements document, regardless of whether it is formally attached to a contract.