Q: Where will you travel?
A: Anywhere! We are based in Birmingham UK, so obviously the further from there you want us
to go the more expensive transport costs will be. We are limited only by your budget!
Q: Is a double decker bus really big enough for a stage?
A: The stage itself actually extends out from the bus, as well as covering the bottom floor.
Obviously it does depends on what you want to put on the stage, but due to The Stage Bus's
design we make very efficient use of stage space so it's not cluttered up with speakers, lights
and other odds and ends. Something else worth bearing in mind is that The Stage Bus has a very
large presence compared to other stages of this size, and the bus really helps to draw attention
to the stage. Having said this we are not going to fit the BBC symphony orchestra on the stage,
but any "pop" group we should be able to accommodate. We have had a 10+ ska band on the stage before
now with no problems. Dimensions of the bus can be found here.
Q: What's included as standard?
A: The Stage Bus comes as a complete lighting, sound and staging package. This includes all crew
costs and a live opped professionally designed and installed intelligent lighting rig and sound
engineer with a professional high quality PA. Essentially, all the services needed to run the stage.
As standard, we carry all the equipment you need to have a band or DJ perform to around 1000 people. See the tech spec
page for a list of equipment. Obviously if you have any specific equipment requirements, or need PA for a larger audience it may cost more. Having said that, the majority of our
clients don't need anything extra.
Q: What does it cost?
A: We quote on an event by event basis, so please do get in touch. Price is dependant on what time of year your event is, whether
you need additional equipment and the distance we have to travel to get there. We usually challenge
people to find anyone who can provide the same level of service for our price.
Q: Can we provide our own crew?
A: Due to The Stage Bus's design we can run events with very few crew. Whilst we are not apposed to
extra pairs of hands from time to time, providing extra crew is unlikely to reduce the price as we will
still need our workforce who are trained in how the bus operates.
Q: Can You drive on grass?
A: Yes, though it obviously depends on the state of the grass - double decker busses have never really
been known for their off-roading credentials! Providing the ground is well drained (not boggy), fairly
flat and firm we should have no problem. It's worth noting that the only times we have got stuck on
sites, we haven't been the only people to do so!
Q: Will you do long term tours?
A: Yes, get in touch for a quote. We can even provide services such as branding the bus vinyl for your
campaign.
Q: What else do you do?
A: As well as running The Stage Bus mobile stage, we provide sound, lighting, video, rigging and crew
for all manner of events. Once we are at your event it is not likely to cost a lot to get us to provide
services for other stages at the event. At the vale festival we have provided power distribution for the
whole site and sound and lighting for 5 tented stages simultaneously. We have provided work for night
clubs including The Q club in Birmingham (where we have provided all of the above on many occasions).
Q: What power supply do you require?
A: We are fairly flexible to be honest, though a lot of it depends on what you require lighting wise.
We can run a very basic set up off just a standard 13A wall socket, but out of choice we would have a
32A or 63A 3-phase supply. We carry cables to wire in to everything from a 32A single phase supply to a
125A 3 phase supply as standard.
Q: What monitors do you have?
A: We have a set of 6 JBL 2 way 12" monitors. These can be used as up to 4 independent channels of
monitors and are able to either be controlled from the FOH trailer or from a side of stage monitoring desk.
Q: Where do you op sound from?
A: Usually we have a trailer housing our set up sound and lighting control. This is pre-wired so that
we only need to run cable from the bus to trailer and we have a full proper font of house position.
Q: Do we need to have sound checks?
A: It's up to you, and time constraints. Whilst it is useful to sound check at least one artist before
the event starts (to check everything is working etc) from experience the merit of sound checking everyone
is limited on most of the events we do, as our technicians are well practised in "mixing on the fly". We
suggest, when timetabling an event, at least a 15 minute programmed gap between acts for changeover. We have
been known to do full changeovers in less than 5 minutes, but we would not suggest this as it gives no room
for unexpected delays.
Q: What's your environmental policy?
A: At The Stage Bus we are very aware of our environmental impact. We keep unnecessary transport to a
minimum and pride ourselves on being able to reuse and recycle equipment rather than buying new. Whilst a
double decker bus is obviously not the most environmentally friendly vehicle, if you consider that if you
acquired a similar stage from someone else with all the services we provide it would probably be transported
on at least a lorry and several vans, where as from us the bus carries everything you need for the stage.
Q: What about health and safety?
A: When you book us we will send you a copy of our complete risk assessment,
health and safety policy and insurance certificates (including £5,000,000 public liability).
Copies are also availabvle on request
Q: Where did the bus come from?
A: The bus itself is a 1986 MCW Metrobus MK2 Timesaver. It spent its working live with Travel WM in
Birmingham (number 2920) until it was bought by us from them in August 2006. If you would like more information
on the bus's service life we suggest doing a web search for "D920NDA".
Q: Can our band play on the bus?
A: Yes, though we are not really the people to talk to! In general we are hired to provide staging, sound
and lighting and so whoever is organising the event sorts out who is playing on the stage. Obviously if you
really want to play on The Stage Bus you are welcome to organise your own event and hire us to be the stage!
Q: Can we hire you to take us to our school prom?
A: No, in short! Whilst The Stage Bus is a double decker bus it is no longer usable as a bus, it does
not have many passenger seats! The whole vehicle has been adapted for use as a mobile stage.
If you require this service, we recommend contacting Commbus,
who have an open topped bus designed for this purpose.
Q: Can I have some pictures?
A: Photos of the stage bus in action, during conservation, and other relevant pictures can be found
in the gallery.
Q: What is upstairs?
A: Upstairs on the bus houses the main PA speakers and living quarters for crew, including bunk beds
and a full kitchen, so when we are working day after day we have somewhere to stay!
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