What to buy for a club concert

What to bring

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

Tips

• Plan drinks by audience size: allow roughly 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 per person for each additional hour. Add non-alcoholic options and keep performer hospitality separate from the public bar.
• Count tableware against the busiest service period, not the total guest list. For a sold-out room, provide at least one drinking glass per expected guest plus a practical reserve of 10–15%; include separate wine glasses, coffee cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons if food is served.
• Treat the sound setup as a complete chain: microphones need stands, XLR cables and channels on the mixer; instruments may need DI boxes and jack cables. Prepare at least one spare microphone cable and two spare power leads before the first soundcheck.
• Buy or reserve front-of-house supplies before ticket sales peak. Coat racks and hangers, chairs, high tables, beer tables and bar stools should match the room layout, while the reception desk also needs printed materials and a reliable laptop if music is played there.
• Separate stage and backstage quantities from audience supplies. Stage sections, performer chairs and artist tables must be ready before load-in, and cable trays, extension cords and power strips should be available before PA speakers, subwoofers and monitors are powered up.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks should I buy for a club concert?

For the first hour, budget 2–3 drinks per person. Add 1–2 drinks per person for every additional hour, then include extra non-alcoholic drinks for drivers, performers and volunteers.

How much tableware do I need for a concert?

Start with one drinking glass per expected guest and add a 10–15% reserve for breakage and changeovers. Buy separate quantities of wine glasses, coffee cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons based on the food and drink service you are actually offering.

What cables and power equipment are needed for a club concert?

For each microphone, allow one XLR cable and one stand; add DI boxes and jack cables for instruments. Keep at least two spare XLR cables, two spare extension cords and enough power strips for the mixer, PA speakers, monitors and laptop.

When should I buy chilled groceries for a club concert?

Buy non-perishable groceries several days before the concert and collect chilled groceries on the day itself, ideally 3–6 hours before doors open. This leaves time to store them, check quantities and separate performer hospitality from public service.