Roadie

• The standard rate for a single concert is £10 an hour or £50 a show.
• Unskilled roadies working full-time can earn around £12,000 a year.
• With technical skills, earnings could be £20,000 to £30,000 a year or more.

There may also be paid living expenses when on tour.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

You would work long hours, often late into the night. Depending on tour schedules, you may need to work seven days a week for a few weeks, although there may be rest days between gigs, and long breaks between tours.

Gigs can be anywhere from clubs and theatres to sports arenas and outdoor festivals. When touring, you may travel around the whole of the UK and also possibly overseas. You would have to live away from home for long periods.

The work is very physical. You would have to lift and carry heavy equipment, and may need to work high up on ladders and rigging. Venues are often noisy and may be cramped.

• good practical skills
• physical fitness
• to work well as part of a team
• to be comfortable working at heights
• an interest in music, technology and electronics
• calmness under pressure
• awareness of health and safety
• the ability to follow instructions
• reliability and discipline.

You could work locally for an agency or venue, or you be employed by a band or equipment rental company to go on tour. You will usually work freelance on short-term contracts of anything from one show to a tour of a few weeks or months. You may not be in full-time work all year round. 

Jobs may be advertised on the internet, in the local press or in music shops. You could also advertise your services in these places, register with a crew agency, or ask local venues to let you know when work is available.

With experience, you could go on to become a road or tour manager, or move into band management or music promotion. If you have the right technical skills, you could move into lighting or sound for theatre, film or television.