By George Pirounakis
Let’s summon a reality slap for a second, because lately there’s this weird fetishization going on my timeline all the time where stagehands are being framed like the last line of defense between live music and total societal collapse.
Yes, they matter. Yes, without hands on the ground things don’t get built. No argument there. But this new narrative where pushing cases somehow turns into moral superiority is lame as fuck.
What’s even lamer is the side-eye attitude some menial task workers give to anyone who’s not doing visible physical labor, like everyone else is just “standing around” for fun.
Newsflash: not all work sweats.
Some people are advancing shows, solving customs nightmares, fixing budgets, dealing with promoters, handling settlements, managing crews, calming artists, keeping tours alive with merch money, or making sure the whole thing doesn’t financially implode. Just because someone isn’t lifting a truss doesn’t mean they’re not carrying responsibility.
Stagehand work is necessary, hard, and deserves respect. Still it’s learned labor, not divine revelation. You’re not a martyr, you’re not irreplaceable, and you’re definitely not better than the people doing the invisible work that allows you to even have a job.
The industry doesn’t run on one role, one muscle group, or one Instagram storyline.
It runs because a lot of different people do their jobs without quitting, without ego, and without pretending their task is the center of the universe. Respect goes both ways. That bullshit “us vs them“ mentality doesn’t help anyone.
Drop the mythology, drop the side eye, do the job, get paid, go home. That’s professionalism.
- George Pirounakis is a veteran roadie, merch and tour manager. He is also the founder of OneTwoSix Hardcore Clothing.