Field Guide: The Live Events Jargon Glossary

Why Do Live Events Have So Much Shorthand?

Every live events call is full of acronyms and shorthand that sound like a foreign language until someone explains them once. This glossary decodes the terms you’ll hear most often — on tour, at a festival, or on a corporate show floor — so you can follow along and speak the language faster.

Audio & Wireless Terms

What Does FOH Mean?

FOH stands for Front of House — the main mix position out in the audience, and the engineer who runs it. It’s the mix the crowd actually hears.

What Does Monitors (or MONS) Mean?

Monitors refers to the mixes performers hear on stage — through floor wedges or in-ear monitors — and the engineer who runs them. This is a separate job and a separate mix from FOH.

What Does IEM Mean?

IEM stands for In-Ear Monitors — wireless earpieces that replace traditional stage wedges, letting performers hear their own mix privately.

What Does RF Mean?

RF stands for Radio Frequency — the umbrella term for all wireless signals on a show, including mics, IEMs, and comms. An RF coordinator’s job is keeping all of it from colliding or dropping out.

What Does A1/A2 Mean?

A1 and A2 are corporate and broadcast terms for the lead audio engineer (A1) and the audio assistant (A2) who handles mics, cabling, and RF on the floor.

Lighting & Video Terms

What Does LD Mean?

LD stands for Lighting Designer (who designs the visual looks) and/or Lighting Director (who runs them live). On many shows, one person does both.

What Does L1/L2 Mean?

L1 and L2 refer to the lead lighting tech and assistant lighting tech — the crew that hangs, cables, and maintains the lighting fixtures.

What Does EIC Mean?

EIC stands for Engineer in Charge — the senior video engineer responsible for signal integrity and making sure every camera’s image matches.

What Does IMAG Mean?

IMAG stands for Image Magnification — the live camera feed of the stage shown on the big screens so the back of the room can see the performers up close.

What Is an LED Wall?

An LED wall is a video screen built from LED panels, commonly used as a stage backdrop. The “LED tech” builds and runs it.

What Is a Media Server?

A media server is the playback system that feeds content to the screens — common platforms include disguise/d3, Resolume, Notch, and Watchout.

Roles & Titles

What Does MD Mean?

MD stands for Music Director — the person who runs the band, arrangements, and rehearsals.

What Does TM/PM Mean?

TM/PM stands for Tour Manager and Production Manager — the two roles that run a tour day to day. The TM runs the camp (people, budget, schedule); the PM runs the show itself (venue advance, crew, vendors, show-day execution).

What Does PA Mean?

PA can mean two different things depending on context: a Production Assistant (an entry-level support role) or the audio system itself (public address). The people around you will make it clear which one they mean.

What Does TD Mean?

TD stands for Technical Director — the person who owns the technical execution of a show.

Rigging & Power Terms

What Does “Points” Mean?

Points are the rigging attachment locations in a venue’s roof structure — everything on the show hangs from them.

What Does Distro Mean?

Distro is short for power distribution — the process of getting clean, reliable power to every department on a show.

What Does Strike Mean?

Strike refers to tearing the show down after the final performance, as everything gets loaded back onto trucks.

Industry & Logistics Terms

What Does Camp Mean?

Camp refers to a tour’s traveling party — everyone on the road with the artist.

What Does IATSE Mean?

IATSE is the main stagehand and crew union in the US and Canada, often called “the IA.” Much local crew labor on a show is union labor.

What Does CDL Mean?

CDL stands for Commercial Driver’s License, which comes in three classes (A, B, or C) depending on the size and weight of the vehicle being driven — relevant to anyone driving production trucks or tour buses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between FOH and A1? They’re equivalent roles in different contexts — FOH is the touring term for the lead audio engineer mixing for the audience, while A1 is the corporate/broadcast term for the same type of role.

Is IATSE required to work in live events? No, but a significant amount of local crew labor on shows is union labor through IATSE, so it’s a term you’ll hear often regardless of whether a specific role requires membership.

Recap

This glossary covers the shorthand you’ll hear most often across audio, lighting, video, rigging, and general touring conversations. Bookmark it — you’ll probably come back to it more than once.

For the bigger picture on how these roles fit together, start with how the live events industry actually works. Curious about a specific department? Check out our breakdown of what an audio team actually does. Ready to find your next role? Head to giggs.live.