Show dictionary · Audio
Backline
Also: band gear
Backline is the musicians’ instrument equipment on stage: guitar and bass amplifiers, drum kits, keyboards and stands: the gear traditionally arranged along the back line of the stage, as distinct from the PA and production equipment.
In practice
The name comes from stage geography: amp rows and drum risers historically sat across the upstage ("back") line. Today the term covers all performer instrument gear regardless of placement, including in-ear rack packages a band carries.
Backline is commonly rented locally rather than trucked, especially on fly dates and festivals. Riders specify exact models ("Ampeg SVT-CL with 8×10, Yamaha Maple Custom in specific sizes") and backline rental companies exist to satisfy those specs city by city.
On festival stages, shared or "house" backline speeds changeovers: bands play the same drum shells with swapped breakables (snare, cymbals, kick pedal).
How you’ll hear it
"Backline rolls at noon; drum tech needs 45 minutes before line check."
Related resources
Part of the eventools.io Show Dictionary, a free glossary of live event production terminology.