Drum Tech

A drum tech is a backline technician who specializes in drums — setting up, tuning, maintaining, and troubleshooting drum kits on tour. They're responsible for making sure the kit sounds and feels right at every venue.

What drum techs do

Before the show: unload the kit, set it up per the drummer's specifications, tune every head, position hardware, and set up any electronics (triggers, pads, click tracks). During the show: stand side-stage with backup sticks, heads, and hardware ready for quick swaps. After the show: break down, pack into road cases, and load out.

Strike and reset

During soundcheck on multi-act bills, the drum tech may need to strike the headliner's kit temporarily so the support act can set up theirs, then reset everything during changeover.