Backline Meaning: What It Is and Who Brings It

Backline is the band's on-stage sound gear: the amps, speaker cabs, drum kit and keyboard stands that sit behind the players. It is separate from the PA, which is the house sound system, microphones and mixing desk that the venue runs.

The name comes from where the gear sits. It forms a line along the back of the stage, with the players standing in front of it. When a promoter asks "what backline do you need?", they want to know which of these items you need them to supply, and which ones you will bring yourself.

What counts as backline

There is no strict rule, but most crews would agree on this list:

• Guitar amps. A combo amp, or a head sitting on a speaker cab.
• Bass amp and cab. Usually a head and a cab, sometimes a combo.
• Drum kit. Kick drum, toms, and the hardware: stands, kick pedal and drum throne (the stool).
• Keyboard stands. Sometimes the keyboards too, if the band is flying in and can't carry them.
• Amp stands and small extras. Things like a guitar stand or a spare power board, if you ask for them.

What usually isn't backline

The gear that makes up the PA and the mixing system is normally not backline. That means the main speakers, the monitor wedges, the microphones and mic stands, and the mixing desk out at front of house.

DI boxes are a common grey area. A DI box turns a signal from a bass, keyboard or laptop into one the mixing desk can use. Most of the time, DI boxes count as PA or house gear, and the sound engineer brings them. If you need more than a couple, or a special type, say so on your rider. Where things are unclear, ask the venue rather than guess.

Who brings the backline

There are three common set-ups.

1. The band brings everything. This is normal for local shows where the band can fit its own gear in a car or van.
2. The venue has house backline. Some venues keep a drum kit and a few amps on site. Quality and condition vary a lot, so ask what is there before you rely on it.
3. The promoter supplies it. On bigger shows, or when a band is flying in, the promoter may hire gear or arrange for one band to share theirs.

Which one applies to your show is something to sort out early. The best time is when you advance the show, a week or two out, so there is time to fix any gaps.

Shared backline on multi-band bills

On a night with three or four bands, sharing backline is common. Often the headliner's drum kit and bass cab stay on stage all night, and the support bands play through them. Sometimes the promoter hires one set of gear for everyone.

Sharing makes each changeover faster, because nobody has to drag a full kit on and off stage. It also means less gear crammed into the side of stage and the green room.

If you are using someone else's gear, treat it with care:

• Ask first. Get a clear yes from the owner, not just the promoter.
• Note the settings. Take a photo of the amp knobs before you touch them, and put them back after your set.
• Don't move things without asking. Drummers set up kits in a very personal way. If you need to move a tom or a stand, ask, and put it back.
• Say thank you. It sounds small. It is remembered.

What bands usually keep personal

Even when backline is shared, some things are almost always brought by each player. Common practice looks like this, but check with the promoter for your show.

• Breakables. This is crew talk for the drum parts that wear out or get damaged: the snare, cymbals and often the kick pedal. Most drummers bring their own and swap them in.
• Sticks, brushes and spare heads.
• Guitars and basses. Obviously, plus spare strings, picks and a tuner.
• Pedals and pedalboards. These are personal to each player's sound.
• Instrument cables and a spare of each.
• Personal monitoring, such as in-ears, if you use them.

A snare or pedalboard is small enough to carry, and it lets you sound like yourself on someone else's amp. It also keeps the wear off the shared gear, which the owner will appreciate.

How to list backline on your rider

Your backline list belongs on your tech rider. It should make two things clear: what you need supplied, and what you will bring.

Here is how The Night Shift, a four-piece with vocals, guitar, bass and drums, might set it out:

A few tips for writing yours:

• Use "or similar". It tells the promoter you are flexible. Hire companies and venues rarely have the exact model you own.
• Describe the type, not just a brand. "Valve combo, 2x12" is clearer to more people than a model number they may not know.
• Mark the must-haves. If one item really can't be swapped, say why. Keep that list short, or it stops meaning anything.
• Match your other documents. The gear on your rider should line up with your stage plot and your input list. If the plot shows two guitar amps and the rider lists one, someone will get it wrong.

You can build all of this in the tech rider builder. RoadCase fills in the backline section from your gear list, so you only have to type it once.

Hiring backline

In most cities there are backline hire companies. They rent out amps, kits, keyboards and stands, and many will deliver to the venue and pick up after the show.

Hire is useful when:

• you are flying in and can't bring your gear
• the venue has no house backline
• you are on a big bill and the promoter wants one shared set for everyone

Some things to sort out when hiring:

• Book early. Popular gear can run out on busy weekends.
• Ask what is included. Does the kit come with hardware and a throne? Does the amp come with a speaker cable? Don't assume.
• Agree on who pays. It might be the promoter, the band, or split between bands. Get it in writing.
• Check the gear on arrival. Plug everything in and play a little before soundcheck. If something is faulty, tell the hire company straight away so they have time to swap it.
• Put the details on your day sheet. Delivery time, pick-up time and a contact number should all be written down in one place.

A quick backline check before you leave

Before you head to the venue, run through this:

• Do you know which backline is supplied and which you are bringing?
• Has the owner of any shared gear said yes?
• Have you packed your breakables, pedals and spare cables?
• Do you have a contact for the venue or hire company if something is missing?
• Does your rider match what you are actually bringing?

Backline is not complicated once everyone knows who is bringing what. Most problems on the day come from one side assuming the other had it covered. A clear list on your rider, and a quick check when you advance the show, stops that from happening.