Outdoor Stage Hire: What to Consider for a Successful Outdoor Event

Planning an entire event is already impressive, but planning an outdoor event is a whole different beast. Outdoor events are at the mercy of the weather, the terrain, and a variety of other critical factors that could throw a spanner in the works. That said, they’re also incredible for attendees when they’re done right.

One of the biggest aspects of an outdoor event is the stage. The stage is what transforms a simple plot of land into a venue, almost like a magic trick. To benefit from that transformation, there are a few things you need to know about outdoor stage hire, and we’re here to help.

Read on to discover the five most important things to consider when hiring a stage for your outdoor event to make sure it goes off without a hitch!

Choose the Right Venue for Your Event

First thing’s first: the venue. In the event planning space, we think of the venue as a canvas. Each one is unique, and most outdoor event spaces will have a few constraints or limitations that must be carefully considered prior to laying out the event plan.

When it comes to outdoor stage hire, the condition of the ground will play a huge role. Is it flat, or are there uneven surfaces to account for? How much space is there? Is there any risk of sinking or sliding if the weather turns bad?

All of these possibilities can be accounted for with an experience stage hire company, so don’t worry! It’s just important to be conscious of these needs prior to starting the setup.

Consider Any Special Features or Needs

Your stage will be the focal point of your outdoor event, which means it needs to be visually arresting. No matter what kind of event you’re putting on, consider if you have any special features, wants, or needs that you want to integrate into the stage setup. For example, fireworks displays, on-stage pyrotechnics, and specific backdrops are all possible with the right team on-side.

Sound and Lighting Setup

While a stage is technically just a platform, it’s also so much more than that. The audio visual setup can make or break your event, transforming a basic stage into the centre of your event space.

When hiring an outdoor stage, make sure to check in with the company you’re partnering with. Ask about any integrated sound and lighting setups they offer, and make sure to let them know any specifics that you have in mind as early as possible.

Make sure to work with a professional company to assess which setup will work best for your unique needs, as this will change depending on the type of event you’re hosting, as well as the size of your audience.

Weather Contingency Planning

We live in Aotearoa, and that means the weather is likely to turn on a dime, no matter how sunny the skies may look. While checking the forecast is an important piece of event planning, it’s even better to have a weather contingency plan in case things go sideways.

Some outdoor stage hire companies can provide custom-built coverings or staging to ensure your concert won’t get rained out. Ensure you work with them to build a weather contingency plan into the hiring process so that you don’t get caught unawares by any rain on the day.

Stage Size

Finally, the size of your stage matters! Often, we find that the size of the stage is directly linked to the type of event being hosted, especially when it comes to outdoor venues. For example, if you’re hosting a music festival, you’ll most likely want one or two smaller stages as well as a much larger main stage for the headlining acts.

On the other hand, an outdoor concert might require a single large stage with built-in audio visual effects to transform the space. Make sure to lay out a blueprint for your event to ensure that your stage fits and leaves enough room for your attendees to move freely, as this is a vital part of safe crowd management.

There you have it! With all of these tips in mind, you’re ready to go out there and find the perfect stage for your outdoor event. It can be a little overwhelming, but if you work with an experienced team like Oceania, you can benefit from years of experience when setting up your outdoor event.

For example, our team can arrive on-site to evaluate the size of stage you’ll need, the location and terrain, as well as any possible weather contingency plans that should be put in place.

You pick your location, we’ll bring the stage.

At Oceania, we provide an outdoor stage hire service for event organisers who want to do more with their events. Whether you’re putting on a concert or hosting a festival, our stages are modular and come attached to trucks for easy transport and setup.

Our team will be on-site to manage the set-up and pack-down, so you can relax and focus on making sure your event goes beautifully. Whatever kind of staging you need, we can supply a world-class solution.

Get in touch with the team at Oceania today to organise your outdoor stage hire.