Comms Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules of Show Comms
Whether you’re brand new to touring or you’ve used comms before without ever thinking much about it, this is the etiquette guide you didn’t know you needed. Wireless packs like Riedel Bolero make it dead easy to speak during a show—but just because you can talk doesn’t always mean you should.
Show comms are there to keep the gig running smoothly. They’re not for chatting, venting, or testing your comedy material. And when you’re not following basic etiquette, you’re not just being a bit annoying—you might actually be missing a cue or stopping someone else from hearing theirs.
So here it is: a straightforward, no-nonsense list of the unspoken rules that keep everyone’s blood pressure where it should be.
1. Don’t Talk Over Cues
This one’s simple: when the show caller or stage manager is cueing departments, that channel needs to be crystal clear. Even a short, offhand comment from someone else can drown out a cue that was meant for lighting, automation, or you. You might think it’s quiet because your bit hasn’t started yet—but someone else could be mid-sequence, listening out for one word. Talking over that moment, even by accident, can completely derail things. If you’ve ever missed a cue because someone was banging on about cable ties, you know how frustrating that is. Don’t be that person.
2. Stay Present, Even When You’re Not Talking
Just because you’re not actively speaking doesn’t mean you can switch off. When you’re on comms, you’re part of a live system that relies on people being alert and responsive. You might only have one cue all show—but if you miss it because you were chatting off-comms, scrolling, or zoning out, it creates knock-on problems for everyone. Stay tuned in, headset on, and mentally in the gig. That one moment might be the reason you’re on the line in the first place.
3. Don’t Leave Your Mic Latched (This is a big one)
This one happens constantly. If your pack is set to latch mode (one press to talk, another to stop), double-check that you’ve unlatched after speaking. Nothing disrupts a show like a hot mic blasting out breathing, rustling, or a conversation you didn’t mean to share. You might not even realise you’ve done it—until someone has to cut across a cue just to say, “You're still live.” It’s annoying, distracting, and blocks the channel for anyone who actually needs it.
4. Mute When You’re Not Using It
If you’re coughing, sneezing, shouting at someone off-comms, or doing anything that makes noise—mute yourself. No one needs to hear it. Leaving your mic open while eating crisps or arguing with your department might seem harmless, but it pollutes the channel and distracts people who are trying to focus. It also makes it harder for newer crew to take things seriously if they’re hearing chaos in their ears every five minutes.
5. Know What Channel You’re On
One of the easiest—and most embarrassing—mistakes to make is thinking you’re on one channel when you’re actually on another. It’s how people end up swearing in the artist’s ears or asking dumb questions to the wrong crew. Before you say anything, check your channel. If your pack has multiple buttons or toggles, take five seconds before the show to figure out which one is yours. Don’t guess mid-show. The moment you hear “You’re on the wrong channel” from a show caller, trust me—you’ll never want to hear it again.
6. Keep It Short and Clear
Every second you spend rambling is a second someone else can’t get a word in. When it’s your turn to talk, say what you need to say—nothing more. A quick “ready,” “copy,” or “standing by” does the job. No one needs your life story or a detailed explanation of what’s happening. You’ll sound more professional, and you’ll make life easier for everyone else sharing the line. Being brief isn’t rude—it’s respectful.
7. Don't Say Anything You Wouldn't Want Broadcast
Comms aren’t private. Even if you think you’re muted or off-channel, there’s always a chance someone’s listening. That includes the show caller, production, the artist team—anyone. So if you wouldn’t say it with them in the room, don’t say it on comms.
It’s shockingly easy for one badly timed comment to land in the wrong place and cause issues that have nothing to do with the show. Keep your head in the gig and save the rants for later.
8. Respond to Cues Promptly
If someone cues you and you don’t reply, they’re left guessing whether you heard it—or whether you’re even there. A quick “yep,” “ready,” or even just your name is all it takes to confirm you got it. Don’t make people chase you during a live show. It slows everything down and breaks the flow. You don’t need to be overly formal, just consistent. The smoother your replies, the more trust you build—and that pays off fast on tour.
9. Don’t Guess—Ask
If you missed a cue or didn’t catch what was said, don’t try to bluff your way through it. Just ask for a repeat, clearly and politely. “Can you confirm that last cue?” is way better than jumping the gun and triggering something at the wrong time. No one minds a quick clarification, especially if it avoids a mistake. Guessing is how things break, fall over, or happen two bars too early. Don’t be afraid to check.
10. Respect the Space
At the end of the day, comms is a shared tool. You’re not the only one using it, and how you behave directly affects the people around you. That includes the show caller, audio, video, automation, and other departments all working under pressure. Treat comms like a working line. Keep it clear, stay aware of what’s happening, and remember you’re part of a wider team trying to land a show cleanly. If you treat it with the right respect, you’ll always be welcomed back.
Final Thought
Comms etiquette isn’t about being formal—it’s about being useful. If you're clear, considerate, and quiet when you need to be, you’ll be an asset to the team and the show.
