What you need for a guitar concert

A guitar concert needs more than guitars and chairs. Plan seating, a complete sound setup, safe cable management, stage lighting and a few practical supplies for performers and guests. The checklist on this page covers equipment such as microphones, DI boxes, amplifiers and monitor speakers, along with serving items and printed programme materials. Use the quantities below as your purchasing and packing guide, then check every guitar and connection before the soundcheck.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 110
Tablesqty 10
Bar stoolsqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 3

Equipment

Audio mixer
Speakersqty 2
Subwoofer
Microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 3
DI boxesqty 3
Guitar amplifiersqty 3
Monitor speaker
Audio cablesqty 12
Power extension cablesqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Cable matsqty 8
Music standsqty 4
Guitar standsqty 6
Voting devicesqty 3
Spare guitar stringsqty 6
Picksqty 30

Lighting

Stage lightsqty 4
Atmosphere lightsqty 6

Decorations

Stage carpet
Program boardsqty 3
Tableclothsqty 10

Tableware

Glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Serving traysqty 6
Scissorsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop setsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilo
- Olives - 6 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 150 pieces
- Paper plates - 150
- Wooden stirrers - 200 pieces
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Allow one chair per seated guest, then add 5–10% spare seating if the venue has room. Set aside a separate table for programmes, drinks or performer supplies so these do not crowd the stage.
Bring one microphone and microphone stand for each planned vocal or instrument microphone, plus at least 2 spare audio cables. Label cables before setup to make troubleshooting faster.
Pack one DI box per acoustic guitar that needs to connect directly to the mixer, and check whether each electric guitar also needs its own amplifier. Test every input during the soundcheck, not just the microphones.
Use cable mats wherever audience members or performers cross cables, and bring enough power extensions and power strips to reach every amplifier, speaker and light. Keep power and audio cables separated where possible.
Buy 2–3 drinks per guest for the first hour, then add about 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Include glasses, coffee cups and plates based on the expected audience, and chill drinks before doors open.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a guitar concert?: At minimum, plan a mixer, speakers, microphones, microphone stands, audio cables, DI boxes and power supplies. Add guitar amplifiers, a monitor speaker and a subwoofer when the room or programme requires more volume and stage monitoring.
How many microphones do I need for a guitar concert?: Use one microphone for each vocal position or separately miked instrument, then keep 1–2 spare microphones if the programme includes several performers. Match each microphone with a stand and a working cable before the soundcheck.
How many chairs should I buy for a guitar concert?: Provide one chair for every expected seated guest and add 5–10% extra when space allows. For 80 guests, that means 84–88 chairs, with additional seating only if it does not block aisles or technical access.
How early should I prepare the equipment for a guitar concert?: Have the sound system, lighting, chairs and stage area ready at least 2 hours before the first guest arrives. Reserve the final 30–45 minutes for the soundcheck, instrument tuning and fixing unexpected cable or power issues.

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