Isolation Day 12: Portable Stage Setup

How Much Would a Small Portable Stage Actually Cost?

I got a bit bored, and when I get bored, I have a dangerous habit of "window shopping" for things I definitely cannot afford. This time, I went down a rabbit hole: How much would a professional, small-scale portable stage setup actually cost?

I figured it would be a modest amount—but it turns out, "small" in professional live production terms is a relative term that quickly reaches eye-watering figures.

The Scope of the "Small" Stage

I based my requirements on fitting a five-piece band (drums, guitar amps, front-man, keys). My living room is about 5m x 4m, which gave me a good mental anchor for the footprint. I went with The Stage Group for the gear, as they have a great selection of modular components.

The Breakdown

The costs escalated quickly as I added the necessary professional infrastructure:

Key Observations

• Lighting is King: I wasn't surprised that lighting took the lion's share of the budget. Even opting for a mid-range approach, the fixture count for a professional stage adds up fast.
• The Video Wall Reality: I really wanted that LED wall, but it’s a massive investment—and that’s before you even factor in the video processing gear required to feed it.
• The Hidden Costs: I’m fully aware this list is missing the "boring" but vital stuff: a massive truck to transport it all, dedicated power distribution, extra cabling, and a drum riser.

Final Thoughts

It turns out my hobbies are remarkably expensive. I’m almost glad I don't have a quarter of a million pounds lying around, otherwise, I’d be currently figuring out how to explain to the neighbours why I’m unloading a truckload of trussing and LED panels in a residential street in Bridlington.

Maybe I should take up knitting.

What do you think? If you were tasked with building a dream rig on a "budget," what would you cut first? Are there specific brands you'd swap in to balance the cost? Let me know in the comments below!