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Roadie

Help to stage concerts and other events so that the audience have a great experience.

Also known as: technical support staff, technical support crew

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£346

Entry level

£712

Experienced

Monthly

£1,500

Entry level

£3,083

Experienced

Yearly

£18,000

Entry level

£37,000

Experienced

1,000

people are currently employed

Low growth

No change in number of jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

You would help to stage concerts and other events so that the audience have a great experience. You would set up before each gig, look after the instruments during the show, and pack away afterwards. It would be your job to make sure that everything is in place for the show to go well. 

You might work alone or as part of large crew.

Your tasks might include:

  • lifting and carrying equipment and sets

  • driving, loading and unloading vans, trailers and tour buses

  • acting as security for equipment and band members

  • setting up and look after sound equipment

  • setting up video equipment and screens

  • rigging up wiring and lighting

  • setting up firework and laser displays

  • tuning the instruments during the show

You may also have other duties like booking travel and caterers or issuing backstage passes.

You would be working with a lot of electrical devices and heavy equipment, so you would need to follow health and safety rules carefully.

Hours

You would often work late into the night. During a tour, you may need to work seven days a week for a few weeks at a time. There may be rest days between gigs and long breaks between tours.

Environment

Concerts can be anywhere from clubs and theatres to sports arenas and outdoor festivals. The work is very physical. You would have to lift and carry heavy equipment, and may need to work high up on ladders and rigging. Venues are often noisy and working spaces may be cramped.

Travel

When touring, you may travel around the whole of the UK and also possibly overseas. You would have to live away from home for long periods.

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Related industries

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  • Creative
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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • cooperating
  • verbal communication
  • attention to detail
  • time management
  • reliable
  • resilience
  • adaptability

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

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Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Music Technology

  • Practical Craft Skills

  • Practical Electronics

  • Skills for Work: Creative Industries

Although you do not need formal qualifications to work as a roadie it can be useful to have experience in areas such as:

  • electronics

  • electrical work

  • sound production

  • music technology

To get into the industry it is important to make contacts in the industry.

A qualification in music technology, audio visual technology, music and audio technology or sound production or engineering could be useful.

You'll need to:

  • be over 18 years old to work in licensed venues

  • have normal colour vision, if you are doing electrical work 

  • be fit and healthy

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