We have a transport trailer in which we store all the festival gear between festivals, stuff like tarps, signs, rope, tents, supplies, odd tables & chairs, stages, electricals, etc. It has industrial shelving and would otherwise be empty during the festival except that we park it near the stage so that it can be used for musicians to book their gear in and out.

Every item gets a numbered tag and the owner gets a matching numbered tag. All items are recorded with number, name, and owner. We are staffed (minimum 2 per 4 hour shift) during festival hours but locked up tight at night and there is night security. Rules are pretty strict, though familiar folks don't get questioned much, and when there is a dispute or misunderstanding, it is my job to resolve it. The benefits are that performers don't have to haul their stuff all over the place, it gets delivered from the gate to the lockup for them, it is safe and watched. Even if I have to play the heavy sometimes, especially at last call, at least the gear is protected.

I've played and attended other festivals which didn't even have backstage space, handy toilets, a place to sit, tune, change clothes, and warmup. That sucks! We at least have all that plus a hospitality tent with refreshments. We're not perfect, but we're trying.

Peace, Mooh.