Backline Hire in Brighton

Brighton's production market is anchored by two principal venues: the Brighton Centre, with a capacity of around 4,500, and the Brighton Dome complex, which covers multiple spaces from the 1,800-seat Concert Hall down to the smaller Corn Exchange. These two facilities between them handle the majority of touring acts that come through the city, and the backline requirements for productions at that level are well understood by local suppliers.

The city also has a strong independent and alternative music circuit, with venues including the Concorde 2, Chalk and the Patterns complex generating consistent mid-week and weekend demand for backline at club and theatre level. This grassroots touring activity runs year-round and sits alongside the larger headline shows rather than competing with them for supplier capacity.

Ooosh! Tours Ltd is the backline company operating from Brighton, with a background in full touring production support across the UK and European circuits. Their position on the south coast makes them particularly well-suited to productions that move between UK dates and continental Europe, a routing pattern that is more common from Brighton than from most other UK cities given the proximity of the Newhaven to Dieppe and Portsmouth to Caen ferry crossings.

Ooosh! Tours Ltd operates to touring standards that cover standard rider requirements across guitar and bass amplification, drum kit configurations and keyboard rigs. Their experience on the European circuit means they are also familiar with the voltage and format differences that affect backline when crossing between the UK and continental Europe, which is a practical consideration for productions that hire UK backline and then move it across the channel.

For productions requiring equipment beyond what is available locally, Brighton's proximity to London means that cross-hire from the capital is straightforward. A London supplier can deliver to Brighton for a same-day or next-day load-in without difficulty, and most major London backline companies have done the Brighton Centre run many times. The practical question for any production is whether the cost of London delivery outweighs the convenience of local hire for the specific items on the rider.

For productions playing Brighton as part of a UK tour, the supplier question often resolves itself around routing. If the previous date is in London and the production is already working with a London backline company, extending that arrangement to the Brighton date is usually simpler than introducing a new local supplier for a single show. If Brighton is a standalone date or the first stop on a southern leg, working with Ooosh! Tours Ltd locally avoids the delivery costs of bringing equipment from London and keeps logistics within a single point of contact.

For productions that need backline technicians, Entourage Pro's crew finder covers the south-east freelance pool for guitar techs, backline techs and keyboard technicians. The Brighton and south-east freelance circuit is active, particularly for acts that tour the independent venue circuit regularly.

The Brighton Centre's load-in is from Kings Road on the seafront, with vehicle access managed through the venue's production office. Space is limited on the seafront approach and early confirmation of load-in slots and vehicle size is important, particularly for back-to-back show days when the dock schedule is tight. The Brighton Dome's load-in arrangements differ by space, so confirm specifics with the venue production team for each configuration.

The Great Escape festival in May is the most significant annual pressure point on Brighton's production supply chain. The event uses dozens of venues across the city simultaneously, drawing heavily on local backline, PA and lighting stock. Productions with Brighton dates in May should confirm backline availability well in advance. The festival's multi-venue format also makes it a useful indicator of the city's capacity: if Great Escape is on your dates, expect reduced local availability and plan accordingly.

Brighton is also a regular stop on tours that continue to continental Europe via the south coast ferry routes. Productions moving equipment to France or the Benelux countries after a Brighton date should factor in ATA carnet requirements for company-owned gear. For the broader UK touring picture including London and Manchester, the UK backline hire guide covers the national market. Related services listed on the directory include PA hire, lighting design and hire and production rehearsal facilities for pre-tour preparation. For touring transport between south-east dates, the directory lists haulage companies experienced on the southern circuit. The Production Services Association (PSA) represents UK production suppliers and is a useful reference for industry standards across the South East touring circuit.

Is it better to hire backline locally in Brighton or bring it from London?

It depends on the routing. For a standalone Brighton date or a run starting on the south coast, local hire from a Brighton-based supplier avoids London delivery costs and simplifies logistics. For a date that follows a London show where you are already working with a London supplier, extending that arrangement is usually the more straightforward option. The delivery cost difference is worth calculating before making the decision, as it is not always significant on a single-date basis.

How far ahead should I book backline for a Brighton date during the Great Escape?

At least six to eight weeks out. The Great Escape fills dozens of venues simultaneously across the city in May, and local backline, PA and lighting stock gets committed well in advance. If your date coincides with the festival, treat it like festival season rather than a standard touring date and confirm everything early.

Can Brighton backline suppliers support European touring legs?

Yes. Ooosh! Tours Ltd has experience on the European circuit and is well positioned for productions crossing to France or the Benelux countries via the south coast ferry routes. They can advise on practical arrangements for cross-channel touring including what is worth carrying versus sourcing locally in each territory.

What venues does the Brighton backline market primarily serve?

The Brighton Centre and Brighton Dome are the main large-format venues. Below that, the Concorde 2, Chalk and the Patterns complex cover the active mid-level and club circuit. Productions at any of these venues are within the standard service range of Brighton-based backline suppliers.

The South East backline hire listings on Showcase cover suppliers serving Brighton and the wider south-east region. For the full UK picture, browse backline hire across the UK or visit Showcase Music Directory to find PA hire, lighting, transport and production services for south-coast productions.