Backline Technician

Based in the West Midlands (UK), Shire Guitars' Brendon Riley travels the world looking after guitars, amps and the guys who play them. He's worked as far and wide as Malaysia, Australia, Scandinavia, Russia, Sri Lanka, mainland Europe and all over the UK.

Whether it’s a tour in a van, on a sleeper bus, or flying to destinations eager for live music, Brendon has experience with it all and has worked at all levels from major festivals, stadiums and arenas to O2 Academy tours and smaller private functions.

I am predominantly a guitar and bass technician, but I am able to adapt/double up as a drum tech, and I have been known to tech for the occasional keyboard player along the way. I'm personally responsible for the equipment of the artist I'm supporting. One guitarist may have 20 amplifiers and five guitars on the road with them - it's up to me to ensure they're always in full working order, no matter what! When I'm on tour my duties include:

Loading/unloading of stage equipment
Setting up and testing of amps and cabs
Daily maintenance and testing of guitars (re-stringing, polishing, cleaning, adjusting) in line with artist requirements
Troubleshooting and resolving potential issues to ensure smooth running of operations
Careful and methodical packing down of equipment ready for transportation to next destination
Communication with artists to ensure positive working relationship and streamlined processes
Driving services when required

In addition to the above, I am:

An experienced van driver, with a full and clean UK driving licence
A British citizen with a clean British passport
DBS checked

In his own words

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