Festivals - Guidelines for Organisers & Performers

Dated: 12th May 2026 (revision)

At Sound Alliance, we’re here to help you deliver your best performance. To make things run smoothly for everyone please read and follow these important guidelines:

⚠ Safety First - ALWAYS!

Please make your own safety and that of others your top priority at all times.

For Performers

🎤 Gear & Equipment

• We provide an extensive range of professional, top-tier, tour quality PA and stage monitor systems. Vocal mics are sanitised, we will have spent time before your arrival EQ’ing them into both the main front of house PA and also stage monitors to achieve optimum performance.

• Due to tight festival schedules and time constraints between performances we invariably have insufficient time to set up other personal microphones (especially incorrectly set up wireless mics) and also in-ear monitor (I.E.M.) systems. Time and soundchecks permitting we will always try to accommodate such requests.

• Backline gear. You will need to bring your own (e.g. drums, amps, cabs, instruments, etc.) and also ancillaries such as; straps, batteries, plectrums, jack leads, drum sticks. We do not provide these.

We typically provide mic’s, stands, mic leads and DI boxes for connection of your equipment into the PA and stage monitors.

• Please ensure all your equipment is fully working before arriving. Bringing faulty equipment, for instance; noisy pedals or broken jack leads, can cause serious delays and may shorten your set. Please also check batteries.

• Acoustic Guitar players: We urge you to fit a rubber sound hole cover where possible, doing so significantly reduces the risk of feedback.

• Drummers: If we’re supplying the drum kit, please bring your own breakables (I.e. snare, kick pedal, cymbals, sticks, etc). Please check beforehand.

💧 Drinks on Stage

• Only bottled water is allowed on stage – no exceptions.

Drinks in glasses, glass bottles, cans, or open containers are prohibited and will be removed immediately.

Spills and breakages can damage expensive equipment and may create hazards for you, other performers and our crew.

⚠ Respect the Equipment

• Please do not stand on the stage monitors. They’re not footrests, they’re high-end, very costly items. Any damage and subsequent repair costs will be your responsibility.

🕒 Be Punctual

• Arrive early and introduce yourself to the crew – we’re a very friendly, approachable bunch.

• Remove all bags and cases from the stage as quickly as possible after setting up.

• Tune your instruments up off-stage beforehand (and in good time) for your soundcheck.

🔈 Soundcheck Etiquette

• Soundcheck is NOT a rehearsal. It’s for checking levels and EQ, setting monitors and solving any technical issues only.

• When the engineer asks you to play, please do so until asked to stop. Others: no “noodling” during this time. Listen to the sound engineer.

• Know what you want in your monitor mix – it will be controlled from FOH.

🎧 Backing Tracks

• If you’re using backing tracks, bring your own playback device (laptop, tablet, phone, or CD).

• We carry a range of cables and DI boxes, but it’s safest to bring your own cables.

• Your playback device must be operated by you on stage.

🛠 Tech Specs & Requests

• If you have a tech rider or specific requirements, send them to us well in advance. Last-minute requests may not be possible.

** PLEASE COME PREPARED **

🎚 Guest Engineers

• Competent guest sound engineers are welcome to mix with support from our FOH engineer.

• Inexperienced or unqualified sound engineers will not be allowed on the desk.

Past incidents have resulted in damaged equipment and poor sound mix.

🎆 Special Effects

• Planning to use pyro, confetti, or cold sparks? These must be approved in advance by both the venue and our crew.

🎥 Photographers & Videographers

• If you’re bringing photographers or videographers, coordinate with us in advance – especially if you have choreography, lighting cues, or stage exits that could impact crew or equipment For Event Organisers.

👥 Respect the Crew

• Festivals are long, demanding days – especially for the crew and organisers who arrive early and work late. Let’s work together with kindness, patience, and professionalism. We’re here to help you succeed – please treat us with the same professionalism and respect we will show you.

Absolutely no abuse toward the crew, organisers photographers, or production team. It would result in your performance being stopped.

For Event Organisers

⚠ Safety

  • Outdoor / Trailer stages are open to the weather, any mains operated equipment such as plugboards, amplifiers and active stage monitors could become dangerous if they get wet. For everyone’s safety, performances may have to be delayed or stopped if it rains.

  • Mandatory Generator Electrical Safety Rules

    Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and HSE Event Safety Guidelines, event organisers must ensure all third-party generators strictly comply with the following before any equipment is plugged in:

    • Minimum 15kVA Capacity: Our systems require that third-party Generators must have a minimum power output of 15kVA or higher. Lower capacities risk overloading the system and causing hazardous power failures.

    • Specify Earth-Fault Protection: Instruct the generator supplier to provide generators configured for event use (typically TN-S systems) complete with verified earthing arrangements (e.g., ground electrodes/spikes or validated structural bonding) to ensure all RCD safety switches trip instantly in a fault condition.

    • Demand Voltage Regulation: For live performances and sensitive production gear, explicitly mandate generators equipped with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) or electronic governors to prevent voltage fluctuations that damage equipment.

    • Enforce Environmental and Siting Rules: Ensure the supplier sites the generator away from public access areas, provides adequate physical barriers, delivers heavy-duty outdoor-rated cabling (minimum IP55), and supplies appropriate spill-kits and bunding for fuel storage.Competent Sign-Off: The complete power installation must be checked and signed off by a qualified electrician under BS 7909 guidelines before the event goes live.

    • While Sound Alliance provides the stage production, we do not supply, manage, or take responsibility for the main event generators. To keep everything running smoothly, please keep the following in mind:

      Hire & Fuel Costs: All generator hire fees, delivery charges, and fuel costs are organized and paid for directly by you, the event organizer.

      Refuelling & Monitoring: Your team or your chosen power supplier will need to look after the generators during the event. Sound Alliance crew cannot monitor fuel levels or handle any refuelling tasks.

      Keeping the Power Flowing: Because the power comes from a third party, Sound Alliance cannot be held responsible for any disruptions, delays, or equipment issues caused by generator failures or running out of fuel.

  • Temporary stage structures must comply with HSE guidence. Main points for guidance:-

    • Scaffold Steps Only: Trailer stages must use steps built from stable scaffold sections and boards.

    • Ladders Prohibited: Step ladders are strictly banned as they are unsafe for carrying heavy gear (amps, cabs, drums).

    • Double Handrails: Continuous guard rails (minimum 950mm high) must be fitted on both sides to prevent falls.

    • Clearance & Safety: Maintain wide clearance between rails for flight cases,

Don’t hesitate to talk to us – we’re musicians too, it’s OK….we get it!

LET’S MAKE A GREAT EVENT

SOUND ALLIANCE - contact details
Mike – Owner / Sound & Lighting Engineer
Tiny – Stage Manager

📱 t. 07875 869939
✉️ e. mike@soundalliance.co.uk
🌐 www.soundalliance.co.uk