The invisible star of every concert?
A concert at Kursaal Oostende? It may look like everything runs effortlessly, but behind the scenes it’s a well-organized (and sometimes chaotic) machine. Luckily, there’s one person who keeps everything on track: Phaedra, our tireless project manager!
She’s 29 years old, has been working in the industry for almost 8 years, and knows better than anyone how to make an event succeed from A to Z. Curious about what her job involves? Come behind the scenes with us!
A few days before the concert: counting, shopping and… batteries?
Preparation starts several days in advance. Phaedra first checks whether there’s enough food, drinks, and snacks for the visitors and crew. Something missing? She immediately places an order with the drinks and chips supplier.
But it doesn’t stop there, because artists often have a rider: a list of requests we try to fulfil as best as possible. Think specific drinks, snacks… or sometimes unusual things. For this, she goes to the shop herself. The most surprising item Phaedra ever saw on such a list? Batteries. For what purpose? No idea. Probably just to get a TV remote working again at home.
After that, she makes sure the dressing rooms and green room are cosy spaces where artists feel completely at home.
Final checks: everything ready to go?
On the day of the concert, nothing is left to chance. Are the screens working? Are all spaces clean and in order? Check!After that, Phaedra prepares a briefing for the volunteers and students, so everyone knows exactly what they need to do. Because: good preparation is half the job done!
Showtime! Ready to go…
From 5:00 PM onwards, Phaedra shifts into high gear. Her to-do list includes:
- Giving the final briefing and printing guest seats
- Preparing the lists for drink tokens
- Filling the mysterious “blue box” (yes, really—walkie-talkies, ticket scanners, keys, and other essentials)
- Opening the box office – the place where last-minute tickets can still be bought
At 6:30 PM, the entire hospitality team gathers for the final briefing. Everyone knows exactly what to do, and then: go time! At 7:00 PM, the doors open, and from that moment on, Phaedra is everywhere at once. Solving problems? She does it. Jumping in wherever needed? Absolutely. Keeping an eye on everything? Always. Phaedra is everywhere.
After the show is before the next show
As soon as the final applause fades and the audience heads home, the dismantling begins. The technicians take care of the stage, while Phaedra keeps everything under control. She makes sure the cash registers are properly closed, that staff clean up the bar and entrance hall neatly, and that the fridges are restocked for the next event.
Concerts may look like one big experience (and they are!), but behind all the glitter and glamour there’s a lot of hard work. Thanks to Phaedra and the entire Kursaal team, every event runs professionally, in a structured way, and with a lot of passion.
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