Working as a Roadie The word ROADIE is for ROAD CREW. Roadies are people who play less know bands might just famous band might have up an important part in the have one roadie, but a crew to 200 members. staging of live events. Some involved in the tour of a A lot of people think that the several ways of looking for takes place, they might have main skill needed by a roadie jobs as a roadie. Music to travel very long distances is being able to lift heavy promoters or production between venues and be away weights (as in the equipment companies will usually from home for long periods of they need to move around.) employ a road crew for a tour time. When touring they Although they do need to be and some of this crew may be sleep in hotels and on the tour physically fit and strong, provided by the equipment bus. The venues could be many roadies are highly hire companies that are anything from a small club to skilled technicians who set up, involved with the tour. a huge arena like Wembley operate and dismantle the Venues might employ local Stadium. sound and lighting roadies on a casual basis Getting a job as a roadie is not equipment, musical whenever they are needed. easy. Usually a roadie gets a instruments and special Individual bands and artists job by knowing someone who effects. They have to be might have their own road is working as a roadie around when bands are on crew that could be added to if already. To get some work stage, in case there are they are on a large scale tour. experience, roadies can work problems with any of the Roadies are often on short for free at a venue such as equipment. term contracts so they are a theatre. Roadies have a likely to be unemployed for Usually roadies are much better chance of periods of time. working on the securing a job if they have contract for the length of the Working as a roadie is not a some specialist skills tour. You have to be at least job. When they are touring knowledge in areas such as 18 years old to work as a they work very long rigging, electronics, sound roadie, because they are hours. It’s not unusual to production, music technology working in venues that sell work seven days a week for and lighting. There are some alcohol, so they are bound be weeks on end when on tour. college courses available licensing laws. There are Depending on where the tour where students can study
Working as a Roadie The word ROADIE is for ROAD CREW. Roadies are people who play an important part in the staging of live events. Some less know bands might just have one roadie, but a crew involved in the tour of a famous band might have up to 200 members. A lot of people think that the main skill needed by a roadie is being able to lift heavy weights (as in the equipment they need to move around.) Although they do need to be physically fit and strong, many roadies are highly skilled technicians who set up, operate and dismantle the sound and lighting equipment, musical instruments and special effects. They have to be around when bands are on stage, in case there are problems with any of the equipment. Usually roadies are working on the contract for the length of the tour. You have to be at least 18 years old to work as a roadie, because they are working in venues that sell alcohol, so they are bound be licensing laws. There are several ways of looking for jobs as a roadie. Music promoters or production companies will usually employ a road crew for a tour and some of this crew may be provided by the equipment hire companies that are involved with the tour. Venues might employ local roadies on a casual basis whenever they are needed. Individual bands and artists might have their own road crew that could be added to if they are on a large scale tour. Roadies are often on short term contracts so they are likely to be unemployed for periods of time. Working as a roadie is not a job. When they are touring they work very long hours. It’s not unusual to work seven days a week for weeks on end when on tour. Depending on where the tour takes place, they might have to travel very long distances between venues and be away from home for long periods of time. When touring they sleep in hotels and on the tour bus. The venues could be anything from a small club to a huge arena like Wembley Stadium. Getting a job as a roadie is not easy. Usually a roadie gets a job by knowing someone who is working as a roadie already. To get some work experience, roadies can work for free at a venue such as a theatre. Roadies have a much better chance of securing a job if they have some specialist skills knowledge in areas such as rigging, electronics, sound production, music technology and lighting. There are some college courses available where students can study