Roadie Career

WORK ENVIRONMENT:-

The roadies are also called as crew or musical instruments technicians, who give assistance to stage music concerts and other events.

Being a roadie, you will you will set up before you gig, take care of the instruments throughout the show, and pack them later. You may work individually or as a member of large crew, doing some or all of the duties which are as follows:

• taking and lifting the equipments and sets
• loading, unloading and driving the trailers, vans and buses
• placing the screens and video equipments
• fixing up lighting and wiring

• stand-in as safety for equipments and band members
• installing and caring for sound equipments
• altering the instruments throughout the show

You can also be liable for other tour management tasks like caterers, booking travel, and giving offstage passes.

QUALIFICATION, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:-

You will frequently begin with your work for the local bands- most people obtain their first job by making contacts in this way. You can also obtain appropriate experience through:

• carry out the work backstage in amateur theater productions and in college
• sporty work at home concert places and gigs
• work for equipment supply and lease corporations

It will be beneficial if you are having a driving license. You might find it helpful if you are having the Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV) license or Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) license which will permit you to drive tour buses and lorries.

You do not require any formal qualification to do the job of the roadie, but you might have the benefit if you have experience and knowledge in electrical work, lighting, electronics and sound production. If you are having more skills it will be advantageous to you. Check the associated profiles for all the information.

TRAINING DETAILS:-

You will study on the job from qualified and skilled road crew.

You might raise your chances of additional work by completing short courses in skills like:

• pyrotechnics
• rigging
• video work
• health and safety

Check the website of the following organizations for all the details on appropriate training:

• Association of British Theater Technicians
• Production Service Association (PSA)
• BPI Music Education Directory

SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE:-

• excellent practical skills
• quietness under pressure
• capability of pursuing the instructions
• contented in working at heights
• enthusiastic about technology, electronics and music
• good physical fitness
• ability to work as a team member
• discipline and dependability

SALARY AND OTHER BENEFITS:-

• The normal rate for a single concert is minimum £ 10 an hour or £ 50 a show.
• Unqualified roadies doing a full-time job can be paid around £ 12,000 every year.
• With technological skills, salary can be £ 20,000 to £ 30,000 every year or more.

You may also be remunerated with living expenses when you are on tour.

WORKING CONDITIONS:-

You will frequently work at nights. All through the tour, you might have to work at least for seven days in a week, though there might be relax days between gigs and lengthy breaks between tours.

Concerts can be anywhere in theaters and club or in sports arenas. When on tour, you might visit entire United Kingdom and preferably overseas. You will have to stay away from home for long time.

This work is very challenging. You will have to carry and lift huge equipments and have to work high on the ladders and riggings. Sites can be frequently noisy and might be overcrowded.

DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES:-

You can work at one home place, or you may be appointed by the band or equipment leasing corporations to go on visit. You will basically work self-employed or on undersized term contract. You might not be in permanent work the entire year round.

Jobs are promoted on the local press, on the Internet or in music shops. You can also promote your service in these places, or request the local venues to let you know when work is presented.

With skills and experience, you can turn into a road or tour manager, or shift to band management or music promotion. With additional technological skills, you can shift into sound for theaters, lighting, television or film.

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