What You Need for a Metal Concert

A metal concert needs more than instruments and speakers. Your shopping list should cover the bar, backstage areas, stage setup, cable management, lighting, crowd safety and basic first aid. Buy or reserve technical equipment early, especially PA speakers, subwoofers, monitors and a drum kit. Drinks, wristbands, printed run sheets and crew supplies are easy to overlook until load-in day, so assign one person to check quantities before the venue opens.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Stage sectionsqty 12
Beer tablesqty 12
Bar blocksqty 3
Folding chairsqty 80
Coat racksqty 4
Dressing room tablesqty 4
Changing room chairsqty 16

Equipment

PA speakersqty 4
Subwoofersqty 4
Stage monitorsqty 5
Mixing console
Microphonesqty 8
Microphone standsqty 8
Guitar amplifiersqty 4
Bass amplifierqty 2
Drum kit
DI boxesqty 6
Audio cablesqty 30
Multi-cablesqty 3
Cable traysqty 20

Lighting

LED stage lightsqty 12
Moving headsqty 6
Light standsqty 4
Light controller
Extension cordsqty 20
Power stripsqty 12

Safety

Crowd barriersqty 30
Fire extinguishersqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Reflective vestsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 500
Wine glassesqty 30
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Ice cube traysqty 6
Serving traysqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6

Decorations

Stage drapesqty 4
Bannersqty 6
Tapeqty 10
Cable tiesqty 200
Directional signsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coca-Cola - 60 liters
- Cola Zero - 40 liters
- Orange soda - 30 liters
- Ice tea - 30 liters
- Spa Blue - 120 liters
- Spa Red - 30 liters
- Beer - 600 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Ice cubes - 40 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salsa - 10 jars
- Salted peanuts - 8 bags
- Pretzels - 8 bags
- Cheese cubes - 8 kilograms
- Liver pate - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian wraps - 120 pieces
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Ham - 4 kilograms
- Cheese - 5 kilo
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 3 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 4 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sausages - 180 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 60 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 240 pieces
- Onions - 5 kilograms
- Fries sauce - 4 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Oil - 5 liters
- Apples - 10 kilograms
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Chocolate bars - 120 pieces
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper straws - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Cleaning spray - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Gaffer tape - 12 rolls
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces

Tips

Plan drinks by service period: allow roughly two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill the first batch before doors open and keep a separate stock for artists and crew.
Count wristbands and tickets against your expected audience at least 48 hours before the concert, then add a small buffer for replacements, guest-list changes and damaged bands.
Keep one microphone stand, DI box and suitable audio cable available for every active input, plus spare cables. Label multi-cables and route them through cable trays before the audience enters.
Place crowd barriers where the audience could reach the stage, and check that fire extinguishers, flashlights and first aid kits are accessible rather than stored backstage behind cases.
Set up dressing room tables and chairs before the artists arrive, and stock backstage drinks and catering according to the collected dietary requirements. Confirm artist transport and room access on the final crew call sheet.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a metal concert?: For the first hour, budget two to three drinks per person, then one drink per person per hour. Add separate stock for artists, crew and security, and keep chilled drinks ready before doors open.
What sound equipment is needed for a metal concert?: At minimum, plan for PA speakers, subwoofers, stage monitors, a mixing console, microphones, stands, guitar and bass amplifiers, a drum kit, DI boxes and audio cables. Check every artist’s technical rider at least two weeks before the show.
How many barriers and first aid kits do I need at a concert?: The number of barriers depends on the stage width, entrances and expected crowd, so map these positions before load-in. Put at least one clearly marked first aid kit at the venue’s designated medical point and verify access on the event day.
When should I buy or reserve concert equipment?: Reserve the stage, PA, lighting, amplifiers and drum kit as soon as the date and artist requirements are confirmed, preferably several weeks before the concert. Complete the final equipment and consumables check at least 48 hours before doors open.

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