Spotlight: Live Music Jobs No One Talks About (But You Should Know) – Vicky the Rigger

My name is Vicky, and I’m a freelance rigger based in Barcelona. I work on the setup of corporate events, congresses, music festivals, and concerts. I began working in rigging in 2015, driven by my passion for climbing, a desire for change, and the decision to find a job connected to working at height.

My first gig was a colossal one-month setup for a major event. I was hired as a rigger’s grounder, which allowed me to join a team of experienced riggers despite having no prior experience. I had to learn everything from scratch, and rigging involves many different stages — but I was highly motivated. Thanks to the invaluable knowledge shared by my colleagues, I began learning ground rigging as well as working at height which involves all the rigging work that happens on the ground level, as opposed to working at height.

In simple terms, ground riggers prepare, assemble, and manage equipment on the ground to support the overall rigging process — so that the high-up (at-height) riggers can do their part safely and efficiently. Ground rigging involves tasks like the following: 

✅ Assembling and preparing trusses, motors, hoists, and other rigging equipment on the ground

✅ Attaching hoists and chains to trusses and preparing for them to be lifted

✅ Managing pulleys, lifting systems, and motor controls

✅ Ensuring cables, shackles, and hardware are correctly attached and secure

✅ Communicating with the riggers working at height and the rest of the technical team

✅ Performing safety checks before anything is flown or lifted

After some time working and learning, I wanted to become a professional. However, in my country (Argentina 🇦🇷), there was no formal training available, so I decided to apply for the rigging certification assessment in the UK at UNUSUAL RIGGING who provide education and assessment. That became a turning point in my career.

Rigging requires mastering a wide range of skills — from working at height fixing rigging points in beams, operating cherry pickers, climbing, and pulling pulleys, to running and lifting motor grids, assembling truss, interpreting plots, coordinating teams, managing tight schedules and stress, and above all… doing all of it safely!

It might sound intense — and it is — but it’s a unique working environment, filled with extraordinary people from all walks of life. That said, it’s rare to find a female rigger, and at times, that can feel overwhelming.

For me, WILM has been a community where I’ve found mutual support, inspiration, and genuine help in networking. I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with other women, listening to their experiences and the challenges they face in their work environment. It has given me the courage to keep going — because sometimes, you do feel like giving up.

I believe our presence is essential to bringing balance to the workplace. That’s why it’s so important to have a supportive community like WILM, which reminds us that we are not alone.

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