Currently, I am curled up on the couch ignoring my homework in favour of watching a new Tv series that started last night on Max. Rock Soldiers follows the backstage antics and roles of roadies, stage managers, tech guys and all the other unsung heroes who make music concerts and festivals come alive.
I warn you, the following post will most likely read like a bad attempt at a plug, but there is no other way for me to point out what this show is about. I guess if you’re like me, anything that offers an insight into the world of music, and especially the goings on behind the curtain, is something worth sharing. So bear with me….
Already, 30 seconds in, the show has documented the dismantling, transporting and rebuilding of Australia’s very own Big Day Out festival from Adelaide to Perth. Watching these men unloading truck after truck of heavy and complex puzzle pieces that will soon form a monolithic stage, I am somewhat floored, for want of a better word. I am also slightly ashamed of my apparent ignorance.
Having attended the very BDO festival that is being put together before my eyes, I cannot help but feel somewhat guilty that at the time, I didn’t spare a single thought for the backstage army that made everything possible. It never occurred to me during Tool’s amazing laser display what difficulties the cooling system of said lasers would pose. That the backstage mazes of Rammstein, Birds of Tokyo and Airbourne guitars would require constant monitoring.
Despite the fact that a standard stage set up takes 30hours, the crew highlighted in this show managed to set up Perth BDO in only 7. The meticulous planning, time and space management that goes into a stage that a musician only sees for an hour at most. The blood, sweat and choice swear words that these men offer to ensure that thousands of music fans nation wide are entertained, and on time too.
While not overly dramatic, or long for that matter, Rock Soldiers is an amazing piece of insight into the extreme behind the scenes of the music world, and it’s refreshing to see it on an Australian stage too (pun intended). Focusing not on the bands themselves, but the crews that make their shows happen, Rock Soldiers is well worth a watch for anyone interested in the music industry, or even just enjoys music festivals.
Also, as pointed out by narrator Shane Jacobson, himself an ex-roadie, there is often very little care for crews like this when faced with injury or loss of work. If you’re feeling particularly generous, help these tough guys out. Head to supportact.com.au, a charity that provides help and care for men injured on the road.









