Recommendations of the Editorial team
Who does not know that: You are looking forward to visiting a concert for many weeks. Many songs heard again, prepared for the location. But time in the hall or in the stadium just doesn’t want to pass so quickly.
Not bad, there is something to drink and enough snacks. You can also talk to your companion or other fans.
But after the not always pleasant opening act is made, the right test of patience comes. For minutes, technicians and soil experts literally put themselves in hand on the stage. Isn’t that faster too? The answer to this is sobering for restless souls-but it also brings greater live enjoyment.
How about the assembly and dismantling of opening acts?
The main band and main acts usually have more complex stage production. That means: large backline (amplifier, drums, keyboards etc.), elaborately programmed light shows, monitors, microphone, possibly even video elements or movable stage elements. If this entire setup were to be built up before the opening act was performed, it would literally take the space – both physically and atmospheric.
Therefore, a so-called “Rolling Risers” structure is usually used before the concert. The backline of the main band is already available on mobile platforms in the backstage area or on the side of the stage. As soon as the opening act has ended your show, its equipment is removed as quickly as possible and that the main band or the main act rolled quickly onto the stage. This minimizes the conversion effort and the time in between.
Why can’t you do the sound check earlier?
A sound check in an empty hall or an open-air site delivers different acoustic results than a sound check shortly before the concert with an audience. People absorb sound, especially in the middle and heights, which changes the sound on stage and in the auditorium.
Therefore, a so -called line check is often made according to the opening act or the main act. This is not a complete sound check, but a short technical run. All cables, instruments, micros and monitors are checked to ensure that nothing has been adjusted or damaged during the opening set. This line check is also the last opportunity to make small adjustments before the headliner occurs.
Why is so much value placed on the position of the equipment?
The equipment of the main band or the main act is not only more expensive, but also more sensitive-especially for tour productions with in-ear monitoring, digital mixer, computer-based lighting systems and effects. If it were completely structured before the opening act, there would be a risk that the movement of the opening election musicians would be damaged, cables are accidentally pulled out and settings on mixing cases or monitor paths change. Therefore, the main band’s setup remains in the background until it is “their turn”.
Why do concerts often start at precisely planned times?
On tours, the schedule is usually meticulous: arrival, structure, light focus, sound check, catering, meet & greet, show, dismantling, onward journey. The opening act typically has a short slot for sound check or just a virtual (“line check-on”) before admission. Then the stage is adjusted so that the hall can be opened. As soon as the audience is in there, larger conversions are risky. The actual main setup is therefore held back until it is really needed.
According to the opening act, the conversion phase is on. Even if the time occurs longer: there is usually a 20–30 minute break. In the meantime, the precisely coordinated stage conversion runs.
Why is conversion break sometimes deliberately pulled?
Last but not least, all of this also has a dramaturgical function: the conversion and the subsequent darkness with intro are simply part of the staging. If the main band had made everything visible beforehand or even taken over part of the check (it happens, but is rare!), Part of the surprise moment would be lost.
The moment when the light goes out and the sound is rolling up should impress – and only works correctly if the audience has not already noticed everything until then.