Music Glossary: stagecraft

Consistent pre-rolls or verbal cues that lock the band and playback. Document them on setlists to avoid trainwrecks. more

Plan brief talking points, shout-outs, and interactive moments. Keep it authentic, concise, and appropriate for the venue. more

A full run-through with lights, playback, and wardrobe. Reveals pacing gaps and technical weak points before opening night. more

Fallback arrangements if playback dies: count off, acoustic version, or alternate set. Communicate the plan in advance to crew. more

Use mic patterns, stage positioning, HPFs, and narrow EQ notches. Address gain-before-feedback holistically, not just with EQ. more

Consistent placement and awareness of spill/phase. Combine DI + mic wisely; mark positions on mats/tape for repeatability. more

Build a “minimum viable” mix: time reference, pitch reference, self, then sweeten. Avoid over-loud IEMs that cause fatigue. more

Hand signals, eye contact, and count-ins to coordinate changes. Agree a simple vocabulary in rehearsal and stick to it. more

Brief meeting to note fixes, celebrate wins, and assign actions. Capture changes to set files, patches, and stage plots immediately. more

Plan peaks/valleys, tempos, and keys to manage audience energy. Keep transitions tight; script segues and on-stage roles. more

Arranging where performers stand and move so the audience and cameras see clearly. Avoids dead zones and improves energy. more

Line check first, then musical check at show volume. One player at a time unless asked; keep noodling minimal and productive. more

Diagram of player positions and a numbered channel list. Speeds load-in and helps engineers pre-patch efficiently. more

Secure heavy or wheeled items; mark stage edges; keep cable runs tidy. Assign responsibility for resets and safety checks. more

Control proximity, plosives, and dynamics; work the capsule angle for tone and feedback rejection. Practice with show volume. more

Clothing that supports movement, quick changes, and pack/wire routing. Avoid noisy fabrics and consider camera/lighting. more