Band: Maribou State
Role: Playback Engineer
Maribou State are one of the UK’s most celebrated electronic acts, known for their rich live arrangements that blend organic instruments with electronic production. Their live show relies heavily on technology working flawlessly behind the scenes from synced redundant playback to hybrid instrumentation and complex midi routing and triggering across the stage.
I joined the touring crew to support the playback system and ensure the live rig stayed rock solid throughout the run of shows.
The Story
Electronic artists touring with a full band often face a unique challenge: translating intricate studio productions into a live environment without losing the energy or spontaneity of performance.
My role on the tour was to design, maintain and operate the playback system that tied the entire show together. This included building and running the Ableton playback rigs, building racks for each station, troubleshoot technical issues, supporting backline setup for synths, and making sure the band’s musical and technical systems stayed perfectly synchronised each night.
Touring means different venues, different stage setups, and different technical teams every day. Consistency is everything. My job was to make sure the technology disappeared into the background so the band could focus entirely on the performance.
Headline at Glastonbury 2025
The Result
The shows ran smoothly across the year (2025), with the playback system providing a stable backbone for the live production and midi control across all four stations on stage.
From rehearsals through to the final performances, the rig delivered reliable sync, tight transitions, and seamless integration between electronic and live elements. For the audience it simply felt like a powerful, cohesive live show, which is exactly how it should be.
Supporting artists like Maribou State on the road is always a privilege, and another example of how the right technical foundation can elevate a live performance.