What to Buy for a Rock Concert

A rock concert needs more than instruments and a stage. Your shopping list must cover drinks for the audience and performers, serving supplies, wristbands, lighting basics and the cables that keep the sound system running. Buy disposable backups for anything that can stop service, especially extension cords, power strips and cable protection. Use your expected attendance and set length to calculate quantities, then finish the shopping at least one day before the concert so drinks can be chilled and performer meals prepared.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

High tablesqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 8
Coat racksqty 3
Clothes hangersqty 180

Equipment

Stage sectionsqty 12
PA speakersqty 4
Subwoofersqty 2
Mixing console
Monitor speakersqty 4
Microphone standsqty 6
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Wired microphonesqty 6
DI boxesqty 4
XLR cablesqty 12
Cable reelsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 10
Cable matsqty 12
Ticket scannersqty 3
Cash registersqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 6

Lighting

Stage spotlightsqty 8
LED light barsqty 6
Light standqty 2
Mood lightingqty 12
Flashlightsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 180
Wine glassesqty 30
Platesqty 160
Cutlery setsqty 160
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Ice coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Small bowlsqty 12

Decorations

Concert postersqty 20
Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 12
Stage drapesqty 4
Directional signsqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Vacuum cleaner
Cleaning cartsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beer - 120 cans
- Non-alcoholic beer - 30 cans
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Spa Blue - 12 crates
- Sparkling water - 6 crates
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 25 kilogram
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini bake-off rolls - 100 pieces
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Smoked chicken breast - 1.5 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Sambal - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Spice mix - 2 jars
- Vegetarian wraps - 30 pieces
- Vegan falafel - 2 kilograms
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 250 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Floor cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for every additional hour. Keep extra water available for performers and crew.
For tableware, count one reusable drinking glass per guest plus at least 10% extra. Add wine glasses, plates and cutlery only if wine service or meals are planned.
Buy or bring at least one spare XLR cable for every five cables in use, plus two extension cords and two power strips beyond your calculated requirement. A failed cable is easier to replace than to troubleshoot during a set.
Use enough cable mats to cover every cable crossing a visitor route, not just the stage edge. Keep flashlights available for checking emergency routes and handling a power or lighting issue.
Prepare performer meals according to the confirmed band and crew count, with one complete portion per person and two spare portions. Check dietary requirements before placing the catering order, rather than shopping replacements on concert day.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a rock concert?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for each following hour. Add at least 10% extra water and non-alcoholic drinks, especially if the venue is warm or the concert lasts more than two hours.
How much tableware should I buy for a concert?: Use one drinking glass per expected guest, plus 10% spare glasses for breakage and replacements. For a seated meal, provide one plate and one cutlery set per person, with at least five extra sets kept behind the bar or catering area.
How many spare sound cables are needed for a rock concert?: Keep at least one spare XLR cable for every five active XLR cables, and bring two spare microphone cables if wired microphones are used. Pack extra extension cords and power strips before load-in, because replacing them after the doors open is difficult.
When should I do the shopping for a rock concert?: Buy non-perishable supplies, tableware, cable protection and lighting supplies two to three days before the concert. Finish drinks and fresh food at least one day beforehand so drinks can be chilled and performer meals can be prepared on schedule.

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