Strike is the last load-out of a run, and it takes down more than the artist's gear: everything built for the show comes out.
What comes down
- PA, lights, video and rigging, in reverse order of the build
- Stage decks, risers and barriers
- Cabling, distribution and power
- Backstage: catering, production offices, dressing rooms, signage
Who does it
The production manager runs it with Local crew, usually overnight, because halls and sites are handed back the next morning. Festival strikes run for several days after the audience has gone home.
What it costs
Crew hours, trucks and rental days. Rental companies charge until the gear is back on their shelf, so a slow strike appears on the invoice. The artist's own crew normally stays only for the artist's own gear, unless the contract puts them on the whole build.