What to Include in Your Band Stage Plot

There's no universal standard for a stage plot, but there is a minimum threshold below which one stops being useful. Here's what should be in yours.

The Basics: Who, Where, and What

Every stage plot should show the name or role of each person on stage (Lead Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys), their position on stage, and the primary instrument or equipment they're using.

This alone is enough for a sound engineer to begin setting up before you arrive. They'll know how many inputs they need, approximately where to run cables, and whether the stage configuration will work for the room.

Equipment and Technical Details

Beyond position and instrument, a thorough stage plot includes: which inputs need mics and what type; amplifiers — make, model, and whether they'll be mic'd or DI'd; monitor requirements — wedge positions, number of mixes, who needs what; in-ear monitors if any band members use IEMs.

Tech Rider Notes

Some things don't fit neatly on a diagram. For these, add written notes per person — input channel, monitor level preference, any special requirements. Even a short note like "no stage monitors needed — uses IEMs on separate mix" saves significant time on the day.

Dashplan lets you add notes to each position on your stage plot, so the diagram and the rider information live in one place. Share one link, and the venue has everything they need.