The heaviest band to ever play the annual Stock Show And Rodeo, Staind surprised the organizers with how big and enthusiastic the crowds they attract are. Hopefully this means next year we'll have even more rocking bands to complement the country and classic rock acts. As soon as the dust settled from the rodeo, the crew started setting up the concert.
The stage came first.
Here's the band's techs with guitars and monitors, waving to one of their crew and his camera because it was probably the first time they ever entered a venue behind a tractor.
Unfolding the circular stage. At the bottom you can see the casters that the stage revolves upon.
Running a followspot is fun, unless you're afraid of heights. The operator is in constant radio contact with the band's lighting director who gives them their cues for color, who to light and when, etc. 
from left to right: Mike Mushok on lead guitar, drummer Jon Wysocki, lead singer/rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, and Johnny April on bass. Behind the band, the four instrument techs tune guitars, adjust and maintain the amps, fetch water and towels and drumsticks, swap instruments onstage between songs, and whatever else their band members need done.
Notice that Mike likes to play on a carpet, which has to be duct-taped to the stage.
Video screens are standard at concerts these days--wish they were around years ago. This is one of four that show replays at Spurs games here in the ATT Center. When they show a bad foul, someone will get booed, either opposing player or the ref.
We were pretty high up. I wonder how that guy's cellphone-camera photo came out?
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