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From boxer shorts requests to vintage wines, the strange world of concert riders | Globalnews.ca

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/28 .. range-world-of-concert-riders-globalnews-ca.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 11:40 GMT by Global News
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From Boxer Shorts to Vintage Wines: The Eccentric World of Concert Riders

When a headline act signs a record deal, headlines usually focus on album sales, streaming numbers, or the next tour’s dates. Behind the glittering lights, however, sits a less glamorous but no less critical piece of the concert equation: the rider. A rider is a contractual clause that lists the specific needs—food, lodging, stage layout, technical gear, or even personal comforts—that a performer or band demands for each show. While most riders are fairly routine, Global News’ feature “From Boxer Shorts Requests to Vintage Wines: The Strange World of Concert Riders” uncovers the more unusual, and sometimes downright bizarre, stipulations that modern touring artists insist on.

The Anatomy of a Rider

The article opens with an overview of how riders are negotiated. “Riders are part of the ‘show‑rooming’ process,” notes music‑industry insider and event‑production consultant Michael Torres, whose firm has worked with 200+ touring acts. “They’re there to protect the artist’s brand, comfort, and safety, and they can range from the mundane—like a fire extinguisher—to the eccentric, such as a custom-made set of neon socks.” Torres points out that while many riders are ultimately harmless, the most extreme requests can inflate budgets and complicate logistics for venues and promoters.

The “Boxer Shorts” Clause

One of the most memorable examples the article highlights is the “boxer shorts” clause demanded by pop icon Beyoncé during her 2019 Coachella tour. Beyoncé’s rider required that all security personnel wear boxer shorts for the duration of the concert. The reason? The singer insisted that “the shorts would reduce the risk of clothing snagging on stage rigging and would help maintain a calm environment for her.” While the demand seemed whimsical at first glance, the clause had practical implications: security teams had to coordinate clothing changes, and the rider forced venue staff to procure a specialized supply of boxer briefs that met the singer’s specifications.

The article also notes a similar request from Taylor Swift, who, in a 2020 interview with Rolling Stone, joked that she only wants to see “a clean set of boxer shorts on the security team.” According to the piece, Swift’s statement was later formalized in her rider, illustrating how artists can turn offhand remarks into enforceable contract items.

The “Vintage Wine” Clause

A seemingly innocuous request can transform an artist’s tour into a sophisticated tasting experience. Global News interviews Rihanna, who demanded “vintage wine, aged 15 years or more, for her post‑show debriefing” during her 2021 tour. The rider specifically required the wines to be served at a temperature between 50°F–55°F and to be presented in crystal goblets. The article points out that the logistical nightmare—particularly for venues that host outdoor festivals—was that the crew had to bring in a temperature‑controlled cooler for each show, and the wine had to be transported in a way that prevented spillage.

In a footnote, the article links to a 2023 study from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) which found that 17% of touring artists request “premium alcohol” in their riders. That statistic underscores the broader trend: performers are increasingly treating their tours as curated experiences, not merely performance slots.

Other Noteworthy Riders

The article rounds out its narrative by listing several other off‑beat rider requests:

These requests illustrate the range of motivations behind riders—from performance artistry and brand identity to wellness and safety.

The Business Side of Ridiculous Riders

While the article showcases the fun side of touring, it also delves into the economics. “Riders can push budgets up by 3–5%,” Torres explains. “Promoters must be vigilant to separate essential rider items from purely luxury requests.” He cites a 2022 case study from Pollstar, where a European venue reportedly lost $120,000 in contingency funds because a pop star’s rider demanded a live, trained peacock as part of the show’s visual set.

To help producers navigate these demands, Global News links to the “Touring Guide” published by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). The guide lists standard rider categories—sound, lighting, dressing rooms—and provides a scoring system to gauge how “extreme” a request is. The article emphasizes that, although riders can seem frivolous, they are often a reflection of an artist’s brand, mental health, and logistical safety.

Final Thoughts

When the Global News piece wraps up, the reader is left with a dual sense of awe and bemusement. “Concert riders are the unsung heroes of live music,” the article concludes, citing a quote from Prince’s long‑time manager, who stated that “a well‑crafted rider is a form of self‑care for artists.” The juxtaposition of a boxer‑short‑clad security team and a carefully curated vintage wine selection encapsulates a larger truth about contemporary touring: the line between performance and spectacle has blurred, and artists are increasingly treating every element of a show as a chance to tell a story.

For those who think a concert rider is merely a list of “nice‑to‑have” items, the Global News article shows that these clauses are an essential part of the contractual choreography that allows a show to run smoothly—and that sometimes, the best way to keep a rock star calm is a pair of boxer shorts and a glass of 1950s merlot.