Renting vs. Buying: Lights for Music Artists
This is a conversation I end up having all the time! When it's time to add stage lighting to a live show, it can be tempting to just buy your own lights. Whether you're a band playing one show a month locally, a DJ or artist with fly dates, or a bus tour performing several weeks, here are some pros and cons that might be worth considering before your next big investment.
Buying Lights
Pros
Complete Ownership - You call the shots on how and when to use your fixtures. No booking conflicts or availability issues.
Long-Term Investment - If you’re playing similar shows consistently, buying might pay off over time.
Consistent Setup - Once you have your rig dialed in, you’ll know exactly what to expect at every show.
Cons
High Upfront Cost - An durable, evergreen rig is a big investment. Anything worth buying is going to be expensive: fixtures, road cases, and spare lights (because something always breaks eventually)
Limited Flexibility
You might feel obligated to use the same rig—whether it’s a tiny club or a huge venue like the 9:30 Club. One size doesn’t fit all.
Creative Stagnation
Owning everything can tempt you to stick with what you have, potentially stifling new design ideas or upgrades.
Renting Lights
Pros
Flexibility, Flexibility, Flexibility
Want a massive rig for tonight’s show and a scaled-down setup for tomorrow’s? No problem. Renting lets you adapt without the hassle of buying new gear.
Maintenance-Free
If something fizzles out mid-tour, the rental house has you covered—spare fixtures, repairs, the works.
Scalability
Tackle anything from a small bar gig to an arena show without shelling out for permanent gear you might only use occasionally.
Cons
Ongoing Costs
Rental fees can add up, especially if you’re on the road a lot. It’s like paying rent instead of a mortgage.
Availability
If you wait too long or hit a busy season, the exact lights you want might be booked out.
Learning Curve
Each rental rig might vary slightly, so you’ll need to factor in some time to tweak and get comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you thrive on having complete control and want the same rig day in, day out—buying can be great. If you’d rather switch it up for different venues, avoid hefty upfront costs, and let someone else handle repairs, then renting is your friend.
My Take: For artists who want to mirror a high-production sound and keep their visuals fresh, renting (or mixing rentals with owned gear) can be a game-changer. But if you’re hitting the road constantly and crave a consistent setup—go for buying. Either way, stay true to your creative vision and keep those lines of communication open with your production team.
Happy lighting!