Stage Decor Design - 4 Tips From a Professional

These days, bands have to do almost everything for themselves: getting the right gear, writing the right music, setting up some good lighting, all of the admin and even organising the shows. When it comes to designing stage decor, it can be a bit of an afterthought – if it’s thought about at all. But placing the music in a visual context can immediately get the audience in the right vibe even before you’ve played a note. Here, we get four solid stage-dressing tips from one of the professionals.

Get the Crowd in the Right Mood

Using even a bit of stage decor, you can create the right atmosphere and transport your audience to the right place; the right mood. Of course, coming up with and building convincing stage decor isn’t as simple as it seems, especially because you’re usually contending with a stage that’s already full of instruments, amplifiers and musicians. Also, not every venue will lend itself well to the addition of any stage frills. No one knows this better than Michel Vanholst who, for twenty years already, has been working as a professional stage builder and decorator. This guy seems to be able to pull concepts out of nowhere and immediately visualise the practical details involved in making them a reality.

#1. Start with a Concept

According to Michel, it’s extremely important to start with a clear concept. “When you’re always thinking about a bigger picture, then things will naturally hang together and make sense. It’ll also make your stage immediately recognisable and give it some real credibility. Sometimes, it can actually help to look at the band’s lyrics and pick out some key elements. You can also just start with something simple like an album cover or a really sober and subtle backdrop, but in any case, there needs to be a clear and noticeable thread running through the decor.”

“I once did production for the Belgian artist Guido Belcanto. Before I even started, I sat and listened to his work, analysed the lyrics and, before I knew it, a really clear image of a carnival was forming in my mind. The first clear element was a giant banner that would serve as the backdrop, a lot like the banners you see decking out bumper car rides and then, strategically placed a little further away, an actual bumper car. The idea is relatively simple but would definitely create the right feel from the moment you stepped into the venue.”

It’s the basic elements like this that will form the base of your decor – the source of inspiration for everything else. “As a band, it’s best to add as few extras as possible. So, it’s better to just pick out a few key things and then systematically add some new elements as you go. This will also make your setup more flexible so you can adapt it from stage to stage. Just pick a few specific elements that are clearly linked to what your band’s about and make sure that they stand on their own. Often, these elements echo your album artwork or merch designs. Whether you’re playing in a pub or at a big festival, this will immediately make your show recognisable.”

That feeling of recognisability doesn’t have to be too literal. Learn to make connections and link different facets of a specific theme. It doesn’t have to be the same but feel the same. Before putting your stage decor together, you also need to have a really good understanding of what your band is about, where you’re at and what your goals are. In fact, a complete self-analysis is a must, and from there, your decor will really give you some enormous returns.

#2. Be Realistic

Whether you’re using the ‘real thing’ or making props out of card or plastic has a lot to do with the practical side of things. In general, Michel prefers to keep things 100% authentic, so always works with real plants, real wood, even real stone and other natural materials. “Real materials have real life to them and help create energy on the stage – they have a more pure feel. I also think that this helps give your brand some credibility as well. But if you try to put twenty bamboo bushes on a stage and expect them to last more than two gigs (especially if there’s no time to properly care for them between shows) then you’re having a laugh. In that case, it just makes sense to go with some fake versions. On the logistical side of things, it can also just be a lot easier to work with fake materials, because you can often take them apart and they’re usually a lot less fragile.”

In some cases, the practical side can ultimately determine the concept. “You need to be realistic and think about what can actually be achieved. Don’t forget that, even the least ambitious idea can mean that you need an extra van on the road, and not every venue is going to have the same atmosphere or attributes to support your new stage look. Basically, it would be pretty insane to turn up to play a pub gig with a trailer full of two-metre-high statues and expect to be able to set them up in a room that’s barely more than two metres high. So you need to think about the dimensions of the smallest locations you’re likely to play as well and make sure that each piece of your set can fit through a normal door without having to do anything crazy. Basically, you need to consider every possible worst case scenario. It’s also nice to warn the venue you’re playing at of what you’re bringing and actually get their consent. A chat with the booker and the lighting tech is also a good idea. This way, you’re not bringing any nasty surprises – for yourself and for the venue. If possible, visit and feel out the place you’re playing, figure out what’s actually possible and if your decor will match the space. There’s nothing wrong with contrast but you definitely want to make sure that everything hangs together.”

#3. Smart Spending

The perfect decor doesn’t have to be the most expensive decor. In fact, a limited budget can sometimes force you to get creative. Even if your budget is big enough, your concept might still demand some cheap and creative solutions. “A while back, I was commissioned to make a perfect replica of Checkpoint Charlie. The wooden construction and details involved a lot of precision work but you could imitate the structure and look well enough. The details I struggled with most were the specific street lamps that are mounted on the front of Checkpoint Charlie and I couldn’t find them anywhere. I was stuck, until I came across these standard cooking pots that happened to have exactly the same shape and diameter as the original lights. That’s how simple a solution can be! I just drilled some holes in the base of each pot, installed a bulb fitting and gave the exterior a lick of paint. It kind of proves that you have to know what you want and just work towards it.”

#4. Stick to the Plan

“Make sure that, at the very least, the structure of your stage set is clear for the people who are going to help you build it. If you want to make something really fancy, then you will need stage hands and remember that, if you’re playing a full bill, then you won’t have much time to build up your set and break it down. Practise setting up and clearing out so that you know exactly what needs to happen and in what order so you can save yourself a lot of stress – especially since you also have to play a gig. Your crew can be creative, fun and even riotous just as long as they know when it’s time to stick to the plan. Basically, your whole crew needs to be involved during the technical realisation of your stage setup, so you can make things as complicated as you want and make sure that everyone knows the ins and outs of what needs to be done when it’s time to build up before a show and break down after.”