Town festival checklist for organisers
A town festival night in the square has a lot of moving parts: stage, sound, lighting, bands, DJ and paperwork for the council. This is the list we use so nothing gets missed.
Published on · By DJ Uri Orante · CCA Events
1. The space
- Size of the square or hall and where the stage will go.
- Power point and available power.
- Van access and set-up and strike times.
- If it's outdoors, a plan B in case of rain.
2. Stage and sound
The size of the stage and the power of the sound system depend on the expected crowd. For a full square, a line array system spreads the sound evenly to the back of the audience, without having to turn it up at the front.
3. Lighting and screen
Lighting is half the show. If there are sponsors or you want to show the festival poster, an LED screen at the back of the stage does the job.
4. Bands, orchestras and DJ
- Ask each act for their rider (technical needs) in good time.
- Draw up a schedule for sound checks and performances.
- Decide who closes the night: the DJ keeps the square full after the concerts.
5. The technician
Someone needs to be on the sound desk (FOH) and the lighting all night. Ask whether the quote includes a technician for every act and for the DJ.
6. Paperwork
Councils usually ask for documents about the company and the equipment before authorising the event. Request them from the company early so they don't hold up the permits.
7. Book early
Town festival nights are concentrated between June and September, and the good dates fill up months ahead. The sooner it's agreed, the easier it is to coordinate everything.