Music Festival Backline Tech in 2024.

Advancements in technology innovation continue to move rapidly impacting everyone and how they interact with the world around them. The live music sector is being impacted by technology changes too and the music festival backline is a good example of this. What do festival organisers need to be aware of when considering the backline equipment for their next event?  

Changes in backline tech are moving fast and this is going to impact performance artists, sound engineers and operational logistics. Typical backline equipment can include amplifiers, speakers, and all other instruments and equipment that are positioned behind the band or the rhythm section on a stage. Festival organisers will need to have discussions early in the planning phase to check what backline equipment suppliers intend to use and how these match with artist’s requirements. Some of the backline tech considerations may include the following: 

Digital Integration. 
It is very common now for connectivity between various pieces of backline equipment to be in a digital format which could include MIDI, USB or wireless protocols for example and this trend is likely to continue. Some exciting advancements in backline tech recently have seen more digital recreations of classic sound effects pedals and amplifiers giving artists access to their preferred sound without the need for physical equipment. In addition, the use of digital tools for set lists and backline inventories is now commonplace. 

Wireless Tech. 
Most large-scale music festivals in remote locations now provided fairly robust telecom stations along with site wide Wi-Fi connectivity. The wireless tech capability in backline equipment may enable remote artist rehearsals and sound checks saving the need to be on-site. Wireless tech between devices can also negate the use of physical cables for some backline equipment too including wireless in-ear monitors and instruments for example.

AI and Machine Learning. 
Advances in the use of AI algorithms and machine learning software may be incorporated into backline equipment systems which can be used to constantly monitor and improve the sound quality. Learning tech can be used to analyse artists playing habits and make personalised recommendations for the backline settings. This smart monitoring of equipment may make it possible for artists to make adjustments wirelessly in real time. 

Sustainability. 
The hot topic for the current generation of music festivals is their environmental sustainability credentials and the backline equipment supplied should be part of that. Suppliers should be able to provide sufficient sustainability documentation about the manufacture and recycling capability for all their equipment. Using eco-friendly materials and designing energy efficiency products are likely to form part of any potential supplier assessment. 

Music festival organisers will need to keep up to date with the constantly changing tech in backline equipment to ensure that there is a good match between the artist’s requirements and equipment available. Much of this data can be obtained from the artist’s tech specs supplied once their booking has been confirmed. During the transition to the latest backline tech organisers could potentially use old school hardwired backline equipment on one stage and the latest tech backline on another stage to cater for varying artist’s requirements. 

For festival organisers planning their events using a software management platform like Festival Pro gives them all the functionality they need manage every aspect of their event logistics. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The Festival Pro platform is easy to use and has comprehensive features with specific modules for managing artists, contractors, venues/stages, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, guestlists, ticketing, cashless payments and contactless ordering.

Image by Counselling via Pixabay

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