Stage, Sound & Light: A Non-Technical Buyer's Guide

Most clients are quoted stage, sound and light in units they cannot evaluate. Here is the short version of what actually matters.

Audio: for an indoor hall of 300–500 guests, a compact line-array with subwoofers is sufficient. Open grounds need substantially more power and delay speakers if the crowd stretches beyond about 40 metres from the stage.

Stage: ask for the load rating, not just the size. A 24x16 foot stage carrying a live band, backline and a heavy backdrop needs proper trussing and a rated deck. Height matters too — anything under three feet and the back rows see nothing.

Lighting: you need three layers — wash lights so faces read on camera, spot or profile fixtures for the podium and stage focus, and effect fixtures for atmosphere. If your event is being filmed, prioritise the wash.

Power: always ask what happens when mains fail. A silent generator on standby with an auto-changeover panel is standard for any event where a speech or a ritual cannot be paused.