On-stage
Stories about life on tour, performing on stage, and the work that goes on behind the scenes to pull off some of the greatest gigs of all time.
Flames Collective: The Powerhouse Youth Choir joining RAYE on the Stage
What started as an afterschool club for aspiring singers, now takes to the stage in some of the most renowned venues in the country. Artists Aside hears from some of the voices of Flames Collective.
Life Behind the Lights
From Radiohead to U2, one lighting engineer shares the reality of life behind the scenes on global tours, creating legendary set ups one spotlight at a time whilst highlighting the immense pressures that comes with working with some of the most famous bands of the century.
Behind the Screens of the Biggest Tours in Music: Ant Barrett
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of some of the biggest tours in the world? Phil Lamb spoke to live video director Ant Barrett, who worked on Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour.
From Dive Bars to Stadiums: The Lives Behind Live Music
A sound engineer, a touring guitar tech and an independent venue manager share the realities of life backstage — from gruelling schedules and dangerous gigs to the moments that make it all worthwhile.
The LGBTQ+ choir keeping queer music alive in an era of closures
As queer-led music spaces are disappearing gay choirs like South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus are absorbing the cultural weight left behind. So, in the words of Erasure, it’s time to Give a Little Respect to the people keeping grassroot queer music alive.
How Blossoms bring silliness to the stage, in the shape of an eight-foot fibreglass gorilla
It almost sounds made up, that a band would want a larger than life fake mammal on stage. But this is the exact request Blossoms made, John Simm is the man who had to make this possible.
Unpacking artist accountability in crowd disasters
A crowd density spotter discusses the moral panic behind moshing, poor infrastructure and artist...
Meet the secret percussionists who make Britain’s Indie-Rock bands shake, rattle, rock and roll.
Touring percussionists are an often overlooked yet essential part of a live show, but they are...