What you need for a blues concert

A blues concert needs more than instruments and a microphone. Your shopping list should cover the stage setup, sound connections, lighting, seating, bar service and practical audience needs. Plan quantities from your expected attendance, then add a small reserve for breakage, last-minute performers and longer queues. The equipment list below supports a live band setup with guitars, bass, drums and vocals, while the tips help you avoid the items most often ordered too late.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Stage sectionsqty 12
High tablesqty 12
Bar stoolsqty 16
Chairsqty 80
Tablesqty 10
Coat racksqty 3
Clothes hangersqty 180
Beer tablesqty 4

Equipment

PA speakersqty 2
Subwoofersqty 2
Mixing console
Stage monitorsqty 4
Microphonesqty 8
DI boxesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 8
Guitar amplifiersqty 4
Bass amplifierqty 2
Drum kit
Stage cablesqty 30
XLR cablesqty 20
Power stripsqty 10
Extension cordsqty 12
Cable matsqty 16

Lighting

LED stage lightsqty 8
Light standsqty 2
Mood lightingqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 220
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 180
Cutlery setsqty 180

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Drink dispensersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Serving traysqty 8
Pliersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Ice packsqty 24

Decorations

Stage backdrop
Tableclothsqty 14
Menusqty 8
Wayfinding signsqty 6
Wristbandsqty 180
Name badgesqty 40

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Mop setsqty 3
Broom setsqty 3
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Hand sanitizer bottlesqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Tonic - 12 bottles
- Ginger ale - 12 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 48 bottles
- Beer - 240 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Bourbon - 3 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- Rum - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 4 kilos
- Limes - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Bitter lemon - 12 bottles
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Nut mix - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Toast - 12 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Hummus - 10 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Brie - 3 kilo
- Gouda cheese - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Mixed salad - 8 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini quiches - 180 pieces
- Mini wraps - 180 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 6 boxes
- Bitterballen - 8 boxes
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Pepper - 2 mills
- Salt - 2 packs
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Bar coasters - 500 pieces
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per additional hour. Add at least 10% extra reusable drinking glasses so service does not stop when glasses are still being collected.
Prepare one microphone and stand for each singer or spoken position, plus at least two spare microphone cables. Check the performers’ technical requirements before buying or hiring DI boxes, amplifiers and stage monitors.
Measure every cable route before the concert and add roughly 15% spare length. Use cable mats anywhere stage cables or extension cords cross a walkway; loose cables are easy to miss in a dark venue.
For seating, count chairs against the number of guests who need a seat and keep high tables, beer tables and bar stools separate. Reserve a clear area for coat racks and provide one clothes hanger per expected coat where possible.
Schedule lighting before the final setup: use LED stage lights and light stands for the performers, then add mood lighting or battery lanterns for entrances, bar areas and walkways. Keep lighting power separate from audio power where the venue allows it.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for a blues concert?: Start with one reusable drinking glass per guest plus 10% extra, so 220 glasses for 200 attendees. Add wine glasses and coffee cups according to the drinks you will serve, with at least 10% spare for breakage or delayed collection.
What sound equipment is needed for a live blues concert?: A typical setup includes PA speakers, subwoofers, a mixing console, stage monitors, microphones, microphone stands, DI boxes, guitar and bass amplifiers, a drum kit, XLR cables and stage cables. Confirm the band’s technical requirements at least 2–3 weeks before the concert.
How early should I arrange lighting and cables for a blues concert?: Finalize the lighting and cable plan at least 1 week before the event, including cable lengths, power strips, extension cords and cable mats. Test the complete setup during soundcheck, not for the first time when the audience is entering.
How many chairs and tables should I buy for a blues concert?: Use your confirmed guest count as the starting point: provide one chair per seated guest and allow roughly one table or high table for every 6–8 guests using table service. Confirm the layout at least 3 days before the concert so you can adjust quantities and walkways.

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