Doors divide the show day. Everything technical has to be finished before them, because once the audience is in, the stage is out of reach.
Typical times
In Dutch and German clubs doors are usually 19:00 or 20:00, with the first artist on 30 to 60 minutes later. Club nights running to 04:00 open at 23:00 or later. The gap between doors and the first set is where the bar earns, so promoters protect it.
What has to be done by then
- Soundcheck finished and the stage tidy
- Merch table set, stocked and priced
- Guest list handed to the box office
- Every cable on stage taped down and safe
When it moves
Doors slip when load-in slipped. Moving them is the promoter's call rather than the artist's, because tickets, security rota, staff and the bar all key off the printed time.