Performing space, stage area?

[Arpangel]

We are hiring a Marquee, and we need to specify a stage area, the band is a four piece, drums, bass, vocals/sax, guitar. Would two 8X4ft stage blocks be enough? I'm thinking no.

[shufflebeat]

2 8x4’s will be enough for the drums with a little to spare in front, or behind for wedges.

4 8x4’s would be workable so long as you’re all standing in a line with no-one “out front”.

[Drew Stephenson]

If it's a small cocktail kit then you might get away with it, but I'd suggest 3 8x4s once you've got four people, monitors and sensible routes on and off figured out.

[Arpangel]

You’re right, maybe four 8X4’s, the drummer will be at the back. There may also be a set of congas for the singer too
The marquee will be 8X8 metres, maybe we need a bigger one?

[Sam Spoons]

We used 5 or 6 off 8' x 4' which was ok for a four piece guitar band, I think we even managed a keyboard at one side once but it's pretty cramped. See image below*.

At my Meadows gig we use 10 off for a 20' x 16' stage which is good for 5 piece bands.



The singers are standing in front of the stage in that image...

[Arpangel]

We used 5 or 6 off 8' x 4' which was ok for a four piece guitar band, I think we even managed a keyboard at one side once but it's pretty cramped. See image below*.

At my Meadows gig we use 10 off for a 20' x 16' stage which is good for 5 piece bands.



The singers are standing in front of the stage in that image...

Thanks Sam, looks like I’ve wildly underestimated things.

[Wonks]

The drummer's stool will stick out from the rear of the kit, and they'll need to be able to move it back a foot or so so they can get out without falling off the back of the stage riser.

If there's a stage monitor for the drummer, you might get by with the other wedges on the ground in front of the stage, or sitting on crates in front of the stage, so you don't hire stage units just for the monitors. But it does depend on how you are all positioned.

[Arpangel]

The drummer's stool will stick out from the rear of the kit, and they'll need to be able to move it back a foot or so so they can get out without falling off the back of the stage riser.

If there's a stage monitor for the drummer, you might get by with the other wedges on the ground in front of the stage, or sitting on crates in front of the stage, so you don't hire stage units just for the monitors. But it does depend on how you are all positioned.

I haven’t spoken to the band yet, I’m hoping they’ll put my mind at rest about their needs.