A professional musician has publicly criticised the extravagant and often absurd demands made by artists in their backstage riders, highlighting the infamous 'no brown M&Ms' clause as a prime example of industry excess.
The unnamed musician, who has worked with major touring acts, described some requests as 'appalling' and symptomatic of a culture of entitlement. 'It’s not just about the M&Ms—though that’s ridiculous enough—it’s the sheer scale of demands that shows how out of touch some artists are,' they said.
The Infamous 'No Brown M&Ms' Clause
The 'no brown M&Ms' stipulation, famously linked to rock band Van Halen, was originally included as a test to ensure promoters had read the contract thoroughly. However, the musician argues that today’s riders often include unnecessary luxuries that inflate costs and create logistical nightmares.
Examples of Outrageous Demands
- Specific brands of bottled water flown in from overseas
- Custom-made furniture for dressing rooms
- Exotic pets or rare flowers as 'mood enhancers'
- Strict temperature controls for entire venues
'These demands aren’t just quirky—they’re wasteful and disrespectful to crews who work tirelessly behind the scenes,' the musician added.
A Call for Change
The musician urged artists to reconsider their riders, suggesting that simplicity and respect for touring staff should take priority. 'The industry needs to wake up. Fans are paying more for tickets, and yet some artists are still demanding champagne fountains and gold-plated cutlery.'
Could this spark a shift towards more reasonable rider requests? Only time will tell.
