Mike Eberl August 21, 2023
Concert Logistics: How a 3PL Can Help a Stadium Show Succeed

You’re rocking out to your favorite artist at a big stadium concert when it occurs to you… wow, this took a LOT of planning, organization, semis, and crew to make this show happen! At least, if you’re like us, that’s where your brain goes ;-).

For the recent U.S. leg of the Taylor Swift ERAS Tour, for example, more than 90 semi trucks were utilized to move everything from city to city – a process that took more than a week each time. Swift made headlines for giving over $50 million in bonuses to her crew, which included $100,000 to each truck driver. Logistics teams are important!

Concert logistics from a transportation standpoint involve a complex set of tasks and coordination to ensure that all necessary equipment, personnel, and materials are in the right place at the right time. A 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) provider can play a significant role in streamlining and managing these logistics efficiently.

Here are some of the key aspects of concert logistics and how a 3PL can help:

Equipment Transportation: Concerts require a wide range of equipment, including musical instruments, sound systems, lighting, staging, and more. A 3PL can arrange for the transportation of these items, coordinating the movement from storage facilities or other locations to the concert venue.

Crew Transportation: Musicians, performers, technicians, and other crew members need to be transported to the venue. A 3PL can handle travel arrangements, ensuring that everyone arrives on time and with minimal logistical issues.

Tour Management: For concerts that involve multiple shows across different cities or countries, tour management is crucial. A 3PL can help plan the entire tour’s transportation, ensuring smooth transitions between locations and timely arrivals at each venue.

Freight Management: Concert logistics often involve moving large quantities of equipment and materials. A 3PL can handle freight management, including booking carriers, negotiating freight rates, tracking shipments, and managing customs clearance for international events.

Route Optimization: Efficient transportation is vital to keep costs down and ensure timely deliveries. A 3PL can employ route optimization software and expertise to plan the most efficient routes for equipment and personnel movement.

Warehousing and Distribution: A 3PL can provide temporary warehousing solutions for concert equipment and merchandise, ensuring safe storage and timely distribution to different venues.

On-Site Coordination: On the day of the concert, a 3PL can assist in coordinating transportation and logistics on-site, helping to set up equipment, manage deliveries, and handle any unexpected issues that may arise.

Reverse Logistics: After the concert, equipment and materials need to be transported back to their respective locations. A 3PL can handle reverse logistics, ensuring that everything is returned efficiently and safely.

Risk Management: Concert logistics can be prone to unforeseen challenges such as weather disruptions, traffic delays, or equipment malfunctions. A 3PL with experience in event logistics can help manage these risks and have contingency plans in place.

Cost Optimization: By leveraging their expertise and network of transportation providers, a 3PL can often negotiate better rates and reduce overall transportation costs for the concert organizers.

In summary, concert logistics from a transportation standpoint involve careful planning, coordination, and execution. A 3PL like Customodal can provide valuable expertise, resources, and support to streamline the process, manage potential challenges, and ultimately ensure the success of the event.