The final encore ends and the audience leaves. The lights turn out and the stage goes dark.

But what happens to the hundreds of lights, control consoles, speakers, staging and rigging systems that helped power the show?

Backstage gear insights

A major arena tour can carry:

• 200 – 500+ moving lights
• Multiple lighting and audio control consoles
• Full PA systems
• Touring LED video packages
• Kilometres of cable … lots of coloured tape (if you know, you know)
• Staging, rigging, truss and automation systems

The list goes on.

That’s an average of 24 trucks worth of equipment per tour, representing millions of euros in investment.

For specialist rental companies, that equipment isn’t just kit – it’s what their businesses rely on. All equipment needs to stay maintained, reliable and in circulation.

When tours finish or inventories evolve, that’s where the secondary market becomes essential for rental companies.

 

Back to the warehouse

Once everything is loaded out, it heads back to the rental company’s warehouse. Each product goes through a thorough checklist:

• Detailed inspection and testing
• Cleaning and preventative servicing
• Software and firmware updates
• Component checks and calibration
• Inventory verification and reconditioning

Touring equipment isn’t just thrown on a truck and hoped for the best. It’s monitored, maintained and supported by technicians, and serviced the moment something needs attention.

When gear is rotated out of a rental fleet, it’s usually for one of two reasons: a newer model has entered the market or the production specs have altered. 

Circular Economy

We find that ‘Used’ typically means the gear has proved itself as the highest level and is ready for something else.  The fixtures that lit an arena are still more than capable of powering a festival, a theatre, or a concert tour. For instance, the speakers that carried a world tour may power a venue’s biggest night of the year. 

Technology evolves quickly in live production but the capability certainly doesn’t vanish overnight.

When touring equipment rotates out, it re-enters the market as ex-rental stock, landing with independent rental houses, venues, production companies and trusted AV marketplaces – like us.

10K Used Gear – A trusted marketplace

In professional AV, the story doesn’t end when the tour does. Trusted marketplaces like us help it move on by connecting the equipment with the professionals who need it most. 

For added clarity and peace of mind, all the equipment provided by us is fully tested and comes with a 21-day warranty whether it’s sold by us or one of our trusted vendors.