🎤 One-Bus, One-Semi Theater Tour Rider – Copyable Template & Pro Tips

Band and crew celebrate a successful performance with a group photo on stage at a grand theater, expressing gratitude to the host city.

If your artist is scaling up into 1,000–3,000-cap theaters, touring with a lean crew, one bus, and a single semi-truck—this rider is designed for you. It’s a professional, cleanly structured rider that gives promoters and venues everything they need to help your show succeed. From expanded tech needs to more detailed hospitality expectations, this is the next step up from DIY club touring.

This rider is built for: Mid-level artists, rising headliners, and national support acts who are running a tight but pro production.

Concert equipment being unloaded in front of a historic theater, as roadies prepare for a special one-night-only performance, highlighted by the marquee under a golden evening sky.

📎 What’s Included in This Rider Template:

🎯 General Information

🍽️ Hospitality

🎧 Technical Requirements

🛡️ Security & Access

⚠️ This rider is intended as a rough guide and starting point. Every tour has unique needs. Please customize all elements to fit your specific production, personnel, and markets. We strongly recommend consulting with experienced tour professionals, legal counsel, and production vendors when finalizing your touring documents.

🎯 GENERAL INFORMATION Artist Name:

[Insert Artist Name]

Tour Manager: [Full Name] – [Phone Number] – [Email Address]

Venue / Date: [To be filled in]

Support Acts: [To be filled in]

Guest List:

• Up to 25 names allowed

• Final list submitted by 2pm day-of-show

• Must be printed and shared with all entry/security points

Parking:

• One (1) 45' tour bus with shore power access (50amp preferred)

• One (1) 53' semi-truck with trailer load-in access

• Marked, reserved parking spaces required on arrival

Wi-Fi:

• Strong, stable Wi-Fi required in:

  • Production office

  • FOH position

  • Dressing rooms

• Login/passwords must be posted clearly

Meet & Greet / Press:

• Only if scheduled and advanced in writing

• If confirmed, allow 30 minutes pre- or post-soundcheck

🍽️ HOSPITALITY Meals:

• Lunch: Served by 1:00pm – must include one vegan and two vegetarian options

• Dinner: Hot dinner for 12 people by 6:00pm local time

• No turkey, pork, or shellfish preferred

• $25/head buyout acceptable if advanced

• Driver Meals: 2x boxed dinners (no turkey) labeled "Bus Driver" and "Truck Driver," to be delivered to the production office no later than 30 minutes before load-out

Snacks & Drinks:

• Fresh fruit tray

• Veggie tray with hummus or ranch

• Granola bars, trail mix, protein snacks

• 24x bottles still water

• 12x sparkling water (variety)

• Assorted sodas (no Red Bull substitutes)

• Coffee + tea setup

• 1x case of local beer (post-show only)

• Ice bucket, cups, cutlery

Greenroom Setup:

• 2 private rooms minimum: 1 artist / 1 crew

• Clean restroom with mirror

• 2x tables, 8x chairs, 2x full-length mirrors

• Hand towels or paper towels

• Scent-free air freshener or candle

Hotel (if provided):

• 5 double occupancy rooms or equivalent

• Clean, quiet, with 24-hour desk

• Secure parking for bus + semi

• Within 20 minutes of venue

🎧 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Stage Size:

• Minimum: 28' x 20'

• Preferred: 32' x 24'

• 18' clear height to grid

Input List (example):

• Kick, Snare, Hat, Rack, Floor

• Overheads L/R

• Bass DI

• Guitars (2x mic)

• Keys L/R

• Tracks L/R

• Lead Vocal, 2x BGVs

Monitors:

• Artist uses IEMs (touring with monitor console)

• Provide minimum 4 wedges for crew and backup

FOH:

• Touring with console – house to provide 2x 20amp circuits

• PA: L-Acoustics, d&b, Meyer, or similar

• Full coverage to rear balcony and under balcony areas

• Subwoofers (4 minimum)

• Delay fills where necessary

Lighting:

• Touring with small floor package

• House to provide:

  • Front wash (3200K - 5600K preferred)

  • Basic DMX tie-in or universe patch

  • Hazer use must be permitted

Soundcheck:

• Full production soundcheck required

• Minimum 60 minutes starting no later than 3:30pm

• Venue cleared during soundcheck

🛡️ SECURITY & ACCESS Load-In:

• Load-in begins 8:00am

• Stage and production crew available upon arrival

• Forklift or lift gate required for heavy items if no dock

Backstage Access:

• All Access passes required for tour personnel (15 total)

• Backstage secure area must be enforced

• No unapproved guests backstage without Tour Manager approval

Security:

• Venue to provide dedicated security for:

  • Front of stage

  • Dressing room hallway

  • Bus/truck parking if in unsecured lot

Emergency:

• Venue must post emergency exits clearly

• Provide contact info for:

  • Venue rep on-site

  • Local EMT/fire/hospital

Merch:

• 1x 8-foot table with power and lighting

• Venue seller if required (commission % to be advanced)

• Final count and settlement post-show with tour merch rep

END RIDER

📉 Closing Notes This is your professional mid-tier rider—perfect for theater-level shows with full production but streamlined crew. It balances artist comfort, technical clarity, and realistic logistics.

Feel free to customize and adapt it per venue or market.

🔗 Explore More:

🚋 Van & Trailer Club Tour Rider →

🎤 Arena Tour Rider (Coming Soon) →

🏛️ Stadium Tour Rider (Coming Soon) →

📁 Download All Rider Templates (Coming Soon)