Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Lennon on Eleanor Rigby
  • Jimmy Page demos classic Led Zep gear
  • Classic rock riffs for beginners
  • Omnichord @ 70
  • SampleRadar: 163 tape loops samples

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News

Live rigs of the rich and famous

By The MusicRadar team
published 25 February 2011

UPDATED: Video and picture walkthroughs of superstars' stage setups

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
See and hear the gear that the biggest names use onstage

See and hear the gear that the biggest names use onstage

UPDATE: We've added five new drum kits belonging to some of the finest drummers on the planet. See them on the next five slides of this gallery or, if it's your first time here, keep on scrolling for more drool-worthy live rigs...

Here at MusicRadar and our sister magazines Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques, Rhythm, Future Music and Computer Music, we get closer to the stars and their gear than almost anybody else. Across the following pages is a selection of video and picture walkthroughs of some of the most enviable live rigs on the planet.

Brian May, Muse, Alter Bridge, Dave Grohl, Kings Of Leon, The Edge, Joe Satriani and Radiohead are just a few of the A-listers whose gear secrets are revealed within.

Click onwards for access-all-areas, VIP gear porn of the most extreme nature...

Page 1 of 27
Page 1 of 27
The Gaslight Anthem: Brian Fallon

The Gaslight Anthem: Brian Fallon

Total Guitar caught up with The Gaslight Anthem on their most recent UK tour and persuaded frontman Brian Fallon to talk through his stripped-down, all-killer live setup.

Check out: Brian Fallon's live setup in pictures

Page 2 of 27
Page 2 of 27
Band Of Horses: Creighton Barrett

Band Of Horses: Creighton Barrett

Band Of Horses’ drummer Creighton Barrett talks Rhythm through his drum setup and shares his penchant for vintage kit. Barrett also talks about the importance of adapting your style to suit the band you’re in, and the recording process of the band’s third album, Infinite Arms.

Check out: Band Of Horses' drum setup in pictures

Page 3 of 27
Page 3 of 27
Slipknot: Joey Jordison

Slipknot: Joey Jordison

Following an emotional 2010 for Slipknot, Rhythm caught up with Joey Jordison for a sneak peak at his live setup and to discuss the drummer’s obsession with music and his prolific career.

Check out: Slipknot's Joey Jordison's drum setup in pictures

Page 4 of 27
Page 4 of 27
Steve Gadd

Steve Gadd

Rhythm caught up with legendary drummer Steve Gadd and his long-time drum tech Yard Gavrilovic to find out what it takes to become one of the best session guys around. And, of course, take a detailed look at the kit Gadd took out on Eric Clapton’s last tour…

Check out: Steve Gadd's drum setup: legendary session drummer's kit in pictures

Page 5 of 27
Page 5 of 27
Deftones: Abe Cunningham

Deftones: Abe Cunningham

Here Abe Cunningham and his drum tech Sean Bates talk drum kits, recording Deftones’ last album Diamond Eyes with producer Nick Raskulinecz, and how they settled-in with the newest half of Deftones’ rhythm section, bassist Sergio Vega.

Check out: Deftones drum setup: Abe Cunningham's kit in pictures

Page 6 of 27
Page 6 of 27
Pendulum: KJ Sawka

Pendulum: KJ Sawka

Rhythm caught up with the man dubbed The Human Drum Machine, and his drum tech Martin Gavrilovic, following Pendulum’s third album (the first featuring KJ) Immersion. Take a closer look at the kit behind the band’s massive drum ‘n’ bass sound…

Check out: Pendulum's drum setup revealed: KJ Sawka's kit in pictures

Page 7 of 27
Page 7 of 27
Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani takes MusicRadar through his Wormhole Tour live rig including his guitars, amps and pedalboard in a series of exclusive video interviews.

Watch the videos here

Page 8 of 27
Page 8 of 27
Kings Of Leon: Caleb and Matthew Followill
(Image credit: Robb Cohen/Retna Ltd./Corbis)

Kings Of Leon: Caleb and Matthew Followill

In 2009, Kings Of Leon's guitar tech Nacho Followill took MusicRadar on a private tour of Caleb and Matthew's guitar rigs during soundcheck for a show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Watch the video here

Page 9 of 27
Page 9 of 27
Them Crooked Vultures: Dave Grohl
(Image credit: Joby Sessions/Future PLC)

Them Crooked Vultures: Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl's drum tech of seven years Gersh provides Rhythm magazine with a rare insight into Grohl’s exact Them Crooked Vultures live and studio drum setup: from kits, snares and cymbals to toy drums and painted two-by-fours.

See pictures and read about it here

Page 10 of 27
Page 10 of 27
Queen: Brian May

Queen: Brian May

Guitarist magazine takes a tour around Queen legend Brian May's awesome gigging rig, ably guided by his longtime guitar tech Pete Malendrone.

Watch the video here

Page 11 of 27
Page 11 of 27
Eric Johnson
(Image credit: Joe Bosso)

Eric Johnson

Guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson invites MusicRadar onstage to see and hear his incredible live rig for the 2010 Experience Hendrix tour.

Watch the video here

Page 12 of 27
Page 12 of 27
U2: The Edge
(Image credit: Joe Bosso)

U2: The Edge

The Edge's guitar tech Dallas Schoo talks us through the 43 guitars and truckload of electronic gear that comprise one of the most complicated rigs on the planet. Also included is the full, comprehensive list of the equipment that The Edge takes out on the road with U2.

Click here for pictures and information

Page 13 of 27
Page 13 of 27
Kings Of Leon: Jared Followill
(Image credit: Kirsty Umback/Corbis)

Kings Of Leon: Jared Followill

KOL's bass tech Jay Schleusener talks us through Jared Followill's main bass and stage backline, and he also shows us how to recreate the Closer bass intro from Only By The Night.

Watch the video here

Page 14 of 27
Page 14 of 27
Depeche Mode
(Image credit: Future PLC)

Depeche Mode

In December 2009, everyone's favourite electronic pop pioneers, Depeche Mode, checked into the enormous O2 Arena for the British stint of their massive Tour Of The Universe. Future Music was there to get the skinny on the band's supersized live setup.

See pictures and read about it here

Page 15 of 27
Page 15 of 27
Doves: Jez Williams
(Image credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Corbis)

Doves: Jez Williams

Gearing up for the release of their fourth studio LP Kingdom Of Rust, Doves headed out on an intimate club tour, gracing some of the smallest venues the band have visited in years. Following a seriously loud soundcheck in Coventry, guitarist and occasional singer Jez Williams invited us onstage to talk us through his live rig.

Watch the video here

Page 16 of 27
Page 16 of 27
Oceansize

Oceansize

MusicRadar met up with Oceansize members Mike Vennart, Steve Durose, Gambler, Mark Heron and Steven Hodson, who walked and talked us through their individual live rigs during soundcheck at Cardiff Barfly.

Watch the video here

Page 17 of 27
Page 17 of 27
Radiohead

Radiohead

Radiohead's live technician discusses the band's secret performance weapon during their 2008 world tour – a MacBook Pro running Native Instruments Kontakt 3. Meanwhile, Jonny Greenwood keeps it old-school with a PowerBook.

Click here for pictures and information

Page 18 of 27
Page 18 of 27
Chickenfoot: Joe Satriani
(Image credit: Jared Milgrim/Corbis)

Chickenfoot: Joe Satriani

Michael Manning, Joe Satriani's longtime guitar tech, gives us an up-close-and-personal guided tour of Satch's main Ibanez JS guitars and extensive pedalboard setup, plus there's an interview with Satch himself thrown in for good measure.

Watch the video here

Page 19 of 27
Page 19 of 27
Minus The Bear: Dave Knudson
(Image credit: Josh Gardner)

Minus The Bear: Dave Knudson

Seattle rockers Minus The Bear have built a reputation Stateside for the inventive way that Dave Knudson uses loopers, delays and guitar synths to make his guitar sound like something else altogether. Guitarist magazine gets the inside info from the man himself.

See pictures and detailed info here

Page 20 of 27
Page 20 of 27
Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa

In 2008, MusicRadar caught up with new blues hero Joe Bonamassa who gave us a guided tour of his enviable, awesome-sounding live rig.

Watch the video here

Page 21 of 27
Page 21 of 27
Rush: Alex Lifeson
(Image credit: Scott Harrison/Retna Ltd./Corbis)

Rush: Alex Lifeson

Legendary Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson takes Guitarist magazine on a tour of his 2007 Snakes & Arrows live rig.

Watch the video here

Page 22 of 27
Page 22 of 27
Nuno Bettencourt

Nuno Bettencourt

The Extreme guitarist gives Guitarist magazine an exclusive look at his live setup, as used during his stint with Rihanna on her 2010 world tour.

Watch the video here

Page 23 of 27
Page 23 of 27
Porcupine Tree: Gavin Harrison

Porcupine Tree: Gavin Harrison

Between touring commitments and time spent holed up in his home studio, Rhythm magazine caught up with Gavin Harrison to take a good look at his drum setup.

Click here for pictures and detailed information

Page 24 of 27
Page 24 of 27
Muse: Dom Howard

Muse: Dom Howard

Rhythm magazine catch up with the man behind Muse’s powerful grooves and check out his new DW kit.

Read the interview and see pictures of his kit here

Page 25 of 27
Page 25 of 27
Alter Bridge: Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti

Alter Bridge: Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti

Following interviews with Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti, frontman Myles Kennedy and Guitarist magazine's track-by-track review of the band's massive riff-laden third album, AB III, we're finally going backstage, courtesy of AB's label Roadrunner Records.

Watch the video here

Page 26 of 27
Page 26 of 27
Pendulum: Rob Swire

Pendulum: Rob Swire

The Pendulum frontman/producer talks to Future Music magazine about the gear he uses in the studio and the setup that he takes out on the road.

See pictures and read the interview here

Page 27 of 27
Page 27 of 27
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
The MusicRadar team
The MusicRadar team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts. TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars. STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.
More about guitars
Catalinbread STS-8 Flanger/Reverb

Catalinbread launches the STS-88, “a love letter to the flanger” that can cloak its modulated swoosh in huge dreamy reverb

Harley Benton 25th Anniversary Firemist

Harley Benton strikes gold for its 25th Anniversary, debuting a Firemist finish and high-quality specs on eight Special Edition models priced under £500

Latest
Millenium MPS-1000 in white and natural finishes

Millenium expands its MPS-1000 full-shell electronic drum kit with a new configuration and two new finish options

See more latest ►
Most Popular
Was Paul McCartney the "best drummer in The Beatles"?* Listen to the fab 4 tracks he played on, and the isolated drum parts, and decide for yourself

By Will Groves30 March 2023

Jackson and Anthrax’s Scott Ian join forces for a signature X Series King V that pays tribute to Dimebag Darrell

By Jonathan Horsley30 March 2023

This is Wikipedia’s new audio logo, which is designed to be ‘The Sound of All Human Knowledge’

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

Marshall has been sold to Swedish speaker company Zound, ending over 60 years of family ownership

By Jonathan Horsley30 March 2023

Soundtracking secrets: How to get started writing music to picture

By Andy Price30 March 2023

Spectrasonics’ Keyscape 1.5 includes a Double Felt Grand piano, and existing users get this “#1 most requested sound” for free

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

Best hardware vocal compressors 2023: analogue studio hardware to suit all budgets and styles

By Simon Truss30 March 2023

Gear Expo 2023 is coming - tune in on 28 April

By Gear Expo 202130 March 2023

Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962

By Rob Laing30 March 2023

A drummer has recorded 75 new versions of the Amen break for you to use in your music

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

DW announces Alex Gonzalez ICON snare drum

By Stuart Williams29 March 2023

  1. Paul McCartney and John Lennon in 1966
    1
    John Lennon on completing Eleanor Rigby's lyrics for Paul McCartney: "It's his first verse, and the rest of the verses are basically mine"
  2. 2
    How to use the '3 reverb approach' to nail reverb in almost any mixing scenario
  3. 3
    An audio engineer shows you "how the pros mix vocals" and get that ‘glued-in’ sound
  4. 4
    Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962
  5. 5
    Spring is here, and Sweetwater's deals are warming up
  1. clark and thom yorke
    1
    Thom Yorke on his 'executive producer' role for Clark's new album Sus Dog: "I ended up being a kind of backseat driver"
  2. 2
    Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962
  3. 3
    Take a deep dive into drum recording at Foo Fighters’ Studio 606 courtesy of Lauten Audio's in-depth video
  4. 4
    A faulty mixing console meant that Prince’s The Ballad of Dorothy Parker was recorded ‘wrong’, but he used it anyway
  5. 5
    An audio engineer shows you "how the pros mix vocals" and get that ‘glued-in’ sound

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Contact Future's experts (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.