FRONT OF HOUSE
DEALING WITH TECH RIDERS | Kent Morris
As we roll into the fall church production • Christian artist tours tend to be run on a tight the rider as a way to prevent future problems.
season, your leadership may decide it’s a budget. Everyone on the bus (or van if it’s really If the feel of the rider is antagonistic, put down
good time to invite a touring team into your tight) has at least two jobs. Given the limited the email and make a phone call. Let them
facility for a night of worship, a CCM concert, space on the vehicle, they carry only small know you have a solid AVL system and, while
or a youth conference. Any of these scenarios items, but everyone in the band wants you it might not meet all their requirements, it
have one thing in common: a tech rider. The to rent their favorite toy. Instead, you want to will work and your team is accommodating
purpose of a tech rider is to ensure the client talk to the TM/PM Tour Manager / Production and helpful. They are only there one day, so
has the equipment and personnel at the event Manager. This person is the Steady Eddie of anything you can do to set aside their fear of
necessary to perform their tasks. It is a way to the tour. He or she knows what they are doing disaster will make their tomorrow that much
keep everyone on the same page regarding and everyone looks to them for guidance. better. Have their input list, lighting cues, and
sound, lights, video, staging, and backline. They will make the decision on who gets what. video clips programmed and ready to roll
The problem is most riders are written either as Be their friend. Let them know you are there to when they arrive.
a “wish list” or they haven’t been updated in serve them and make their life easier. Tell them years. So, here are some things you need to you will have an office and good coffee waiting know to make the event go smoothly: for them as soon as they arrive.
• The stage plot is a graphic display of where
members stand and what they need at each
position. Once you know the stage plot is
• Tech riders are a form of negotiation. Well • If the tech rider is full of “unobtainium” such current and correct, have it set up close to
written riders have a “preferred” and a as DiGiCo SD5 consoles for FOH, MON and layout with some adjustment room built in.
“minimum” option for each item. The idea is tracks, you know you have a gadfly on the When the band arrives, they will move things
to use as much of what the venue owns as other end. This person has never set foot around despite what the plot indicates. It
possible to reduce rental costs. The problem in the reality that is church-tech. Instead of just happens, so don’t gaff tape it down until
is that non-technical people don’t know an getting upset, suggest your M32s that are they have settled in. Also, keep several spare
SM58 from a KSM9. Often, by the time the already in place and ask if the mix engineer channels ready for surprise guests to use.
rider gets to the church tech director, the can send a show file for you to have it ready promoter, booking agency, finance director, when they roll in. Everyone is now cool with A tech rider can be a useful guide to what the
and worship leader have tossed it around and the M32 for almost any church show. In fact, visiting team wants and needs to do their jobs.
decided whether to host the event or not. It is my company’s expensive consoles now sit If you talk to the TM/PM early and often, and
then too late to add your input. So, as soon most of the time while the M32s are gone have things set to go when they arrive, the
as a rumor reaches you, go to leadership and every weekend. event will be a success.
ask for the tech rider. You can then give insight
into what in-house items can be work and
what items need to be rented.
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• Be aware the tour team may have had bad
experiences with churches in the past and see
August 2018
Kent Morris
35 year veteran of the worship technology arena
with a passion for excellence balanced by the
knowledge digital is a temporary state.
WorshipMusician.com