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Stage guide

Run your first rehearsal with Stage

Put a prepared show on your band's shared Stage, invite the other performers, and keep every phone and tablet on the same song.

1

Open Stage and take the lead

Open Stage from the main navigation. The first time you use Stage on a device, give it a name that the band will recognise—for example, “Alex’s iPad” or “Keys tablet”.

Choose Take the Lead. The leader controls the shared show, song, count-in and playback for every device that is following.

Stage home showing the current show, leading device and invitation controls
The Stage home shows what is currently on Stage, this device's role, and the invitation controls.
2

Choose what the band will follow

Choose Choose Show or Song, find the prepared show or individual song, then select Put on Stage.

Stage chooser with shows and songs that can be put on Stage
A complete show or a single song can be placed on Stage.
3

Invite the other performers

Back on the Stage home, choose Invite Performers. Let performers scan the QR code, or send them the invitation link using Copy Link or Share Link.

Each performer opens the invitation on their own phone or tablet and names the device. They arrive in Following mode and immediately see whatever is currently on Stage.

Stage invitation dialog with an example QR code and sharing controls
The example QR code is obscured. Your real invitation remains active until you revoke it.
4

Open Live Stage and start the rehearsal

On the leading device, choose Open Live Stage. The invited devices do not need to do this—they remain in Following mode. If you placed a show on Stage, choose the play button for the set you want to begin. You can select a count-in before starting the song.

Use Play, Pause, Stop, Previous and Next on the leading device. Following devices receive the leader's song changes, count-in, playback state and scrolling automatically.

Live Stage leader displaying a song with playback and next-song controls
The leading device has the performance controls. Followers see the same song without controls that could change the shared Stage.
5

Understand the three Stage roles

Leading

Controls the shared selection, count-in, playback and song changes.

Following

Stays aligned with the leader. Private scrolling is possible, but the next leader action takes precedence.

Independent

Browses and plays locally without changing the band's Stage. Resume following when ready.

6

Handle a connection problem

If Stage loses its live connection, it keeps trying to reconnect and your current screen can continue working. Open Reconnecting… to see the available recovery choices.

When saved songs and shows are available, Use Saved Songs and Shows lets this device continue independently. Choose Back online — Rejoin Stage after connectivity returns.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the questions most likely to arise during a first Stage session.

Do performers need Stage Mate accounts?
No. They can open the Stage invitation on the phone or tablet they use with the band, name that device, and begin following.
Do I create a new invitation for every show?
No. Your band has one persistent Stage invitation. It remains active until you revoke it.
Can somebody else lead?
Yes. A performer can choose Take the lead. The previous leader automatically becomes a follower.
Can a performer look at another song privately?
Yes. Choose Independent to browse or play locally without changing the band's Stage, then choose Resume following to catch up with the leader.
What stays synchronized?
The show or song selection, count-in, playback state, song changes, and leader-driven scrolling are shared with following devices.
What happens if the internet connection drops?
Stage Mate keeps trying to reconnect. If this device has saved songs and shows, you can use them independently until you rejoin the live Stage.
How do I remove access from previously invited devices?
Open Invite Performers, choose Revoke invitation, and confirm. You can then create and share a replacement invitation.
Stage Mate is a product of Paddock IV Pty Ltd (ABN 30 661 574 723).
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