Reno Rodeo Opening Concert
A storm, a last-minute call, and a show that went off like nothing ever went wrong.
The Partnership
In 2023, the Reno Rodeo was gearing up for its opening concert — an annual moment that kicks off one of the most iconic events in the state. The acts were booked. The plan was in place. But Reno weather had other ideas. That week brought a lot of rain, and more mud than anyone wanted to admit, turning the rodeo arena’s hard-packed dirt into an unpredictable mud-pit.
The original production company called it: they were out. Less than 48 hours before doors, they told the Rodeo that they couldn’t do the show. Canceled due to acts of God.
That’s when Starsound got the call.
30 Hours to Showtime
We were in our weekly 10:00 AM management meeting when the first messages came through — texts, voicemails, escalating fast. The Rodeo needed a solution, and they needed it now. Without hesitation, we cleared the rest of the day and jumped into action.
We reworked the stage plot for a tighter footprint that would work safely in wet ground conditions and with the stage we had on hand and available. We coordinated directly with artist teams to adjust production expectations and streamline the load-in. We mapped every access point, planned around unstable surfaces, and started mobilizing gear.
And then we got to work — in the cold, wet mud, with boots on the ground and lights in the truck.
For the next 36 hours, our crew waded through the weather, dodged sleep, and built a full concert experience from the ground up. There was no glamour. No rehearsal. Just teamwork, caffeine, and pure commitment to getting the job done.
When the Lights Came Up
By showtime, everything was in place:
-
The stage was up.
-
The sound was clean.
-
The artists were ready.
-
And the crowd had no idea how close the whole thing had come to falling apart.
That’s the job. That’s Starsound.
The show ran without a hitch. It looked good. It sounded great. And most importantly — it happened.
Creative + Technical Highlights
-
Emergency re-design and set-up of stage and system layout in 36 hours
-
Crew deployment and gear mobilization with zero pre-staging
-
Modified load-in and set-up protocols to navigate unstable, muddy arena terrain
-
Real-time artist coordination to align setlists and production needs
-
Full audio and lighting packages delivered on a compressed timeline
-
Overnight build completed just hours before soundcheck
Client Collaboration
There was no onboarding process. No discovery call. Just a phone ringing in the middle of a meeting and a team saying, “We’ve got this.” Our collaboration with the Reno Rodeo may have started in a crisis, but it was built on trust, competence, and a shared commitment to making sure this event — and everything it represents to this community — could still happen.
Gear + Services Provided
-
Full audio and lighting system delivered and deployed in under 36 hours
-
On-site production team for FOH, monitors, and lighting
-
Rigging and safety adjustments for wet terrain
-
Artist coordination, backline modifications, set transitions
-
On-the-fly scheduling and staffing for full concert execution
-
Artist-ready backline services in partnership with Rocket Sound
The Impact
The Reno Rodeo is more than a show — it’s a tradition. And when it needed saving, Starsound showed up. Not for the press. Not for the credit. But because this city matters to us, and so does every audience we serve. The 2023 opening concert could have been remembered for what went wrong. Instead, it became a story of what went right — because the right people got the call.
“When everything went wrong, Starsound made it right — and they made it look easy.”
— Reno Rodeo Production Team
Gallery: Reno Rodeo Opening Concert
(carousel or reel suggestion)
-
Before/after stage photos in the mud
-
Night-of show lighting and crowd reaction shots
-
Crew in action during overnight build
-
Pull quotes from Rodeo leadership
