What to buy for a concert marathon
A concert marathon needs more than instruments and a stage. You also need enough tableware, drinks, serving equipment, cable supplies and lighting accessories to keep several performances running smoothly. Plan purchases around the length of the programme, the number of artists and the expected audience. Buy non-perishable items first, then collect refrigerated products shortly before doors open. This list helps you check the practical supplies that are easy to overlook when the technical setup gets most of the attention.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Foldable tablesqty 8
- Folding chairsqty 160
- Bar stoolsqty 8
- Coat racksqty 3
- Clothes hangersqty 180
- Stage sectionsqty 12
- Stage mat
Equipment
- Mixing console
- Active speakersqty 4
- Stage monitorsqty 4
- Microphonesqty 8
- Microphone standsqty 8
- DI boxesqty 4
- Guitar amplifiersqty 2
- Bass amplifier
- Drum kit
- Music cablesqty 20
- Cable reelsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 10
- Gaffer tapeqty 6
- Power banksqty 6
- Walkie-talkiesqty 8
- Flashlightsqty 4
Lighting
- LED stage lightsqty 8
- Light standsqty 2
- Mood lightingqty 10
- Extension cordsqty 8
Tableware
- Reusable drinking glassesqty 220
- Coffee cupsqty 80
- Platesqty 180
- Cutlery setsqty 180
- Serving plattersqty 20
- Serving tongsqty 8
Kitchen
- Coolersqty 6
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Chef's knifeqty 4
- Ice packsqty 30
Decorations
- Program postersqty 12
- Stage drapesqty 4
- Tableclothsqty 8
- Balloonsqty 100
- Balloon ribbonqty 2
- Directional signsqty 8
Cleaning
- Broomsqty 3
- Dustpan and brushqty 3
- Mopsqty 3
- Bucketsqty 3
- Cleaning glovesqty 8
- Waste binsqty 10
- Waste binsqty 4
- Paper towel rollsqty 12
Catering
- Groceries
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Spa Blue - 72 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Lemon slices - 4 nets
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salty crackers - 8 packs
- Olives - 6 jars
- Mixed nuts - 5 bags
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 250 pieces
- Straws - 250 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Floor cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet freshener - 6
Tips
- Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Keep reusable drinking glasses separate from coffee cups so both artists and audience areas can be served quickly.
- Allow one place setting per expected guest, plus at least 10% spare plates, cutlery and serving pieces. A long concert programme makes it harder to wash or replace tableware between breaks.
- Buy cable management supplies before the equipment arrives: allow one roll of gaffer tape for each stage or performance area, and check that extension cords, power strips and cable reels reach every position safely.
- Prepare the artist reception before the venue opens. Set out serving platters and tongs, and have coffee cups, drinks and basic catering supplies ready at least 30 minutes before the first performers arrive.
- Check every technical item against the artists’ requirements no later than 48 hours before the concert marathon. Missing adapters, DI boxes, microphone stands or monitor cables are much harder to replace once soundcheck has started.
Frequently asked questions
- How many drinks do I need for a concert marathon?
- Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every hour after that. Add around 10% extra for performers, technicians and volunteers.
- How much tableware should I buy for a concert marathon?
- Prepare one plate, cutlery set and drinking glass per expected guest, then add a 10% buffer. For coffee service, plan one coffee cup per serving round and keep at least 10% spare.
- When should I buy supplies for a concert marathon?
- Buy non-perishable supplies and technical consumables several days in advance. Purchase refrigerated products on the day before or the morning of the event, depending on storage space and the required expiry time.
- What concert equipment should I check before the event?
- Check the mixing console, active speakers, monitors, microphones, stands, DI boxes, amplifiers, cables, power strips and lighting at least 48 hours before opening. Test the complete signal and power setup during soundcheck, not for the first time during the show.
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