Glossary
What is a backline?
Backline is the larger onstage equipment used by the band — drum kit, bass and guitar amplifiers, keyboard stands and amps — as distinct from the PA and microphones the venue supplies for the front of house.
Whether backline is provided by the venue, shared between bands on a bill, or brought by each act is one of the first questions in any advance. Shared backline speeds up changeovers dramatically on a multi-band night.
When backline is shared, the first band's kit usually stays up and later acts bring only snares, cymbals, and pedals.