Evolving Technology for the Music Festival Temporary Pop-up Stage.

Music festivals are known for their extravagant custom-made stage designs but not every festival organiser has the budget for such creations. The budget conscious organiser is more likely to consider renting a modular temporary pop-up stage and their options when considering this route are increasing as technology is helping to create great functional stages at a reasonable cost.

The temporary pop-up stage was always considered a compromised solution for the budget conscious festival organiser, however, advances in technology are transforming what is available on the market. Design customisation and smart tech integration is making the pop-up stage a serious option for organisers. The custom designed and built stages seen at the mega music festivals can take months to construct and are only used once making them a luxury for many organisers. What advances are being made in the rented pop-up stage sector for music festival organisers looking for a cost-effective stage solution. 

Construction Materials and Smart Tech. 
The pop-up temporary modular stage is easy and quick to set up and tear down with numerous customisation options incorporating great safety features with improved sustainability credentials. The construction materials used are mostly aluminum alloy frames which have a great strength to weight ratio as well as being corrosion resistant. Manufacturers are now incorporating more use of carbon fibre components to replace aluminum alloy trusses because of their lightness and strength. New materials are also being used for floor decking that use anti-slip weather resistant surfaces for increased safety. For larger installations some manufactures are incorporating motorised truss systems to automate adjustments with increased precision. Similar tech is also being used for hydraulic stage platforms and automated roof systems which can be deployed quickly in the case of rain or strong sunshine for example. In addition, stage components are now manufactured with sustainability in mind so use of recycled or upcycled materials is common. 

Design Flexibility. 
Despite the modular approach used by many pop-up stage companies there is an increasing allowance for customisation in the stage design. The modular design allows stages to be easily expanded to the size and shape required by the organiser. Organisers can now consider incorporating custom printed roof or backdrop fabrics for branding opportunities. Some suppliers also offer modular platforms, stairs or themed structures to make the stage stand out and fit with the event’s overall themes. 

Incorporating Live Event Technology. 
Traditional pop-up rental stages rarely came with any built-in technology but this is changing fast. Some manufacturers now incorporate smart control panels into their stage designs to help manage lighting and sound systems. Programmable lighting systems and visual experience mapping that work in tandem with the stage surfaces are increasingly being incorporated into the stage design. Considerations for sound projection are key and many pop-up stages now feature acoustic panels or canopies for better sound clarity. In some cases, suppliers will construct stages with built in weatherproof sound systems negating the need for additional backline rentals. If the stage has been built with smart automated adjustment motors these can be linked to sensors that monitor wind, stage vibrations and other weather conditions. This allows automated stage repositioning which can optimise the safest set up in real time. 

For festival organisers planning their next 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, site planning, cashless payments and contactless ordering.

Image by Wolfgang via Pexels

<< Back to articles