What to Buy for a Blues Concert
A blues concert needs more than instruments and a bar: the right glasses, tableware, stage equipment and backup supplies keep the evening moving. This shopping list covers front-of-house items, sound and lighting essentials, and the small pieces that are easy to miss until setup begins. Check quantities against your audience size, venue layout and performer requirements before shopping. Buy or collect non-perishable supplies first, then handle fresh items close to opening time.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Stage sectionsqty 6
- Stage steps
- Beer tablesqty 10
- Chairsqty 150
- Bar stoolsqty 12
- Bar matsqty 3
- Entrance table
- Clothing rack
Tableware
- Reusable drinking glassesqty 180
- Wine glassesqty 60
- Coffee cupsqty 60
- Platesqty 180
- Forksqty 180
- Knivesqty 180
- Spoonsqty 120
Equipment
- PA speakersqty 2
- Subwoofersqty 2
- Mixing console
- Microphonesqty 6
- Microphone standsqty 6
- DI boxesqty 4
- Monitor speakersqty 4
- Instrument cablesqty 12
- Extension cordsqty 10
- Power stripsqty 8
- Cable traysqty 12
- Spare batteriesqty 24
Lighting
- LED stage lightsqty 8
- Light standsqty 2
- Light controller
- Mood lightingqty 12
Kitchen
- Refrigeratorsqty 2
- Coolersqty 4
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Hot drink urnsqty 4
- Serving traysqty 8
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Kitchen knivesqty 3
- Small bowlsqty 20
- Pliersqty 6
- Bottle openersqty 4
- Corkscrewsqty 2
Decorations
- Blues postersqty 12
- Stage drapesqty 4
- Tableclothsqty 10
- Menusqty 20
- Program leafletsqty 180
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 8
- Bucketsqty 4
- Mopsqty 4
- Broom setsqty 3
- Cleaning glovesqty 6
Catering
- Groceries
- Pils - 240 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Cola Zero - 18 bottles
- Orange soda - 12 bottles
- Ginger ale - 12 bottles
- Tonic - 12 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Rood - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Limes - 2 kilos
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Tea - 120 bags
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Stir sticks - 250 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Ciabatta - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onion - 1 kilo
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Herb cheese - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Pesto - 1 liter
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 liter
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 6 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Salt breadsticks - 8 packs
- Crackers - 12 packs
- Mini quiches - 240 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 180 pieces
- Vegan snacks - 120 pieces
- Bitterballen - 240 pieces
- Satay sauce - 2 liters
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 packs
Tips
- Plan at least one reusable drinking glass per expected guest, plus a 10–15% buffer for breakage, slow collection and extra service. Add wine glasses, coffee cups and plates only in the quantities your catering setup requires.
- Count every cable, stand and power accessory against the stage plan before leaving the shop. Keep spare batteries and a few compatible instrument cables available; these are often forgotten until soundcheck.
- Allow one clear cable tray or protected route for each main cable run across public or working areas. Bring extension cords and power strips only after checking the venue’s available sockets and the sound system’s power needs.
- Match stage sections, steps and lighting stands to the confirmed stage layout, not the room’s maximum capacity. Measure doorways and storage routes in advance so bulky furniture and equipment can actually reach the stage.
- Set aside bar mats, entrance-table supplies and clothing-rack items before the venue opens. Label boxes by area—stage, bar, entrance and catering—so volunteers can place them without interrupting soundcheck.
Frequently asked questions
- How many glasses do I need for a blues concert?
- Start with one reusable drinking glass per guest and add a 10–15% buffer. For 100 guests, that means 110–115 drinking glasses, plus separate wine glasses or coffee cups if those drinks are being served.
- What sound equipment should I buy or bring to a blues concert?
- Confirm the performers’ technical requirements first. A typical setup may need PA speakers, subwoofers, a mixing console, microphones, stands, DI boxes, monitor speakers, instrument cables, extension cords and power strips; verify quantities during the soundcheck plan at least one week before the show.
- When should I buy supplies for a blues concert?
- Buy non-perishable tableware, cables, batteries and lighting supplies 3–7 days before the concert. Collect fresh produce on the day of the event, ideally 4–6 hours before doors open, so it is ready without being stored too long.
- How many spare batteries and cables should I bring?
- Bring at least two spare batteries for every battery-powered device and one spare compatible instrument cable for each active cable type. Pack them before the performers arrive, not after soundcheck has started.
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