What to buy for a tribute concert

A tribute concert needs more than instruments and a stage. You will also need serving supplies, audience furniture, reliable power distribution, cable protection and clear entry materials. Use your guest count as the starting point: plan tableware, drinks and wristbands for every attendee, then add a small buffer for volunteers and replacements. The equipment list should match the artists’ technical riders before anything is hired or purchased.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Stage
Beer tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 160
High tablesqty 12
Bar stoolsqty 12
Coat racksqty 4
Entrance tableqty 2
Waste binsqty 10

Tableware

Water glassesqty 180
Wine glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 180
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving traysqty 20

Equipment

PA speakersqty 2
Subwoofersqty 2
Mixing console
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Wired microphonesqty 6
Microphone standsqty 8
DI boxesqty 4
Monitor speakersqty 4
Cable reelsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 12
Music instrument cablesqty 12
Cable matsqty 12

Lighting

LED stage spotlightsqty 8
Light standsqty 4
Mood lightingqty 12
Emergency lightingqty 4

Decorations

Backdrop cloth
Balloon archesqty 2
Tableclothsqty 16
Promotional postersqty 10
Wayfinding signsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Food warmersqty 4

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 20

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Barrier tapeqty 4
Vestsqty 12

Other

Cloakroom numbersqty 200
Wristbandsqty 200
Ticket scannersqty 3
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Pensqty 20
Clipboardsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Mini wraps - 160 pieces
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Savory nuts - 8 bags
- Olives - 8 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Salt sticks - 8 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian bites - 120 pieces
- Vegan bites - 60 pieces
- Gluten-free snacks - 30 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 250 pieces
- Disposable cups - 250 pieces
- Disposable containers - 250 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Toilet freshener - 4 spray cans
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan 10–15% extra tableware, wristbands and printed materials beyond the expected audience. Last-minute guests, damaged items and volunteer use can otherwise leave you short.
For the bar and catering area, provide separate glasses and cups for beer, wine, water and coffee, plus at least one serving tray per service point. Order plates and cutlery for the full audience if food is served.
Check every microphone, DI box, monitor speaker and cable against the technical rider at least 7 days before the concert. Keep 2 spare microphone cables and several spare extension cords available.
Protect every cable crossing a walkway with a cable mat and use cable reels, power strips and extension cords rated for the equipment connected to them. Do not rely on household power strips for the full stage load.
Prepare entrance supplies at least 2 days ahead: wristbands sorted by type, a table for check-in, printed contact details and the final run sheet. Keep spare pens, tape and labels with the entrance materials.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for a tribute concert?: Start with one glass per expected guest for each serving type in use, then add 10–15% extra. For a 100-person concert, that means at least 110 water glasses and the same buffer for wine glasses or coffee cups if those drinks are served.
How much extra tableware should I buy?: Add 10–15% to the number of plates and cutlery sets needed for the audience. For 100 guests, prepare 110–115 plates and cutlery sets, with more if food is served in multiple rounds.
When should I check the concert equipment shopping list?: Match the list to the artists’ technical riders at least 7 days before the event. Do a final physical check of microphones, cables, power supplies and lighting 24 hours before doors open.
How many spare cables do I need for a tribute concert?: Keep at least 2 spare microphone cables and 2 spare instrument cables for a small concert, in addition to the cables already assigned to the stage. Larger line-ups need extra spares for every additional performance area or changeover.

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