1st Edition

Production Management in Live Music Managing the Technical Side of Touring in Today’s Music Industry

By Matt Doherty Copyright 2022
    160 Pages 13 Color Illustrations
    by Focal Press

    160 Pages 13 Color Illustrations
    by Focal Press

    160 Pages 13 Color Illustrations
    by Focal Press

    Production Management in Live Music: Managing the Technical Side of Touring in Today’s Music Industry is a handbook for the aspiring production manager looking to forge a career in the live music industry. 

    This book outlines the role that a production manager performs and their key responsibilities, and takes the reader step by step through the entire process of preparing a show for a tour. From dealing with artists and management to hiring crew, from booking vendors and scheduling the day-to-day of a busy tour, this text covers everything that is needed to take the show into rehearsals and finally on the road. Every aspect of the job is covered, including the very important challenges that face today’s industry in the realms of sustainability, inclusion, diversity and mental health. Whether the show be on a festival, in a small theatre or club, or in a modern arena, this book clearly lays out the tasks and challenges and offers practical solutions to ensure the smooth running of a live performance.

    Production Management in Live Music is written for students in stage and production management courses and emerging professionals working in live music touring.

    1. Introduction  2. My History  3. Production Management  4. Leadership and Communication  5. Key Relationships  6. Touring Staff  7. The Crew  8. The Stage  9. The Advance  10. Sample Rider  11. Good Advice  12. The On Sale  13. The Show  14. Festival Production Management  15. Time  16. Labour  17. Vendors  18. Transport and Freight  19. CAD  20. January 2001  21. Security  22. The Economics of Touring  23. Health and Safety  24. Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusion

    Biography

    Matt Doherty has been working as a production manager for over three decades. From managing festivals to working on the international touring circuit, it is safe to say that production management has been his life.

    "I encourage anyone interested in getting into the music industry to read this book."

    Marty Hom, Tour Manager, Fleetwood Mac, Barbra Streisand and Shakira

    "In the darkened shadows of the stage lies an entire ecosystem of professionals making magic happen. Not enough is written about the incredible opportunities of a career spent behind the curtains. In this book Matt gives the world a chance to see with finer detail the numerous paths that make up this dynamic profession, and in doing so hopefully inspiring a new crop of young professionals destined to make the backstage magic happen."

    Jim Digby, Production Manager Linkin Park. President and Co-Founder, Events Safety Alliance