weirdest tour riders

• pop Culture
• Facebook Navigation Icon
• Twitter Navigation Icon
• WhatsApp icon
• Instagram Navigation Icon
• Youtube Navigation Icon
• Snapchat Navigation Icon
• TikTok Navigation Icon
• pigeons & planes
• newsletters
• Youtube logo nav bar 0 youtube
• Instagram Navigation Icon instagram
• Twitter Navigation Icon x
• Facebook logo facebook
• TikTok Navigation Icon tiktok
• Snapchat Navigation Icon snapchat
• Apple logo apple news
• Flipboard logo nav bar 1 flipboard
• Instagram Navigation Icon google news
• WhatsApp icon whatsapp
• RSS feed icon rss feed

Complex Global

• united states
• united kingdom
• netherlands
• philippines
• complex chinese

Work with us

terms of use

privacy policy

cookie settings

california privacy

public notice

accessibility statement

COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive.

© Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Complex.com is a part of

The 20 Craziest Tour Riders in Music History

Come on, who really needs all of this stuff on the road?

Image via Complex Original

Every so often, the tour rider for a certain act or band will appear online, inspiring discussion of how ridiculous, crazy, and absurd said act or band is with their requests while out on the road.

In addition to outlining security, insurance policies, and other technical items, these lists provide some insight into exactly what makes your favorite act tick while hanging out backstage. It also sheds some light on just  how comfortable they need to be before rocking a huge crowd.

Many times, a rider is actually revealing of the the non-diva qualities of certain music superstars like  Nicki Minaj  and Rihanna , whose "zaniest" requests are just a ton of candles, lotions, and choice beverages. But highlighting those riders would be, well, boring compared to those of acts like Metallica , Madonna , and Iggy Pop .

Those three, along with 17 others, appear in our rundown of the craziest tour riders in music history. Read on for reassurance that your life is exceedingly normal.

Written by Andrew Martin ( @Andrew_J_Martin )

RELATED: The Oral History of the Rihanna 150: A #777 Tour Survival Story RELATED: The 25 Funniest Tweets From the LongLiveA$AP Tour RELATED: Ne-Yo's 5 Craziest Tour Stories

Craziest request : Nivea chapstick

Drake likes to keep fresh, so he brings along trimmers to avoid nightmares of this . When he last spoke to Complex, he told us he had a built-in shower and it seems he's slightly obsessed by the finer aesthetics.

As such, he carries Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap, described as something that "tingles the body and clears the mind.” [Insert Drizzy-is-soft jokes, here.] Keep in mind these are items he brings along when performing music on tour, but by the looks of things, you would think he's prepping for his Degrassi  high school reunion.

Full list of items : Four dozen natural-scented incense sticks, Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap, pork-free food, E-Z Wider rolling papers and a pack of Dutch Master President cigars, Pinot Grigio, Heineken, bottles of Jack Daniel’s, Patron Silver tequila, a bottle of Hennesey or Courvoisier, Grey Goose, Andis T-Outliner trimmers , and extra sets of speakers.

Craziest request : "No less than 10 percent of all security personnel should be female"

Miniature chocolates? Check. A massage room with a ton of ginseng extract? Sure. But female security guards? Not for Bush. During one of their jaunts, the Gavin Rossdale-lead band requested that "ideally no less than 10 percent of all security personnel should be female." Interesting.

Full list of items : Gatorade, soft drinks, skimmed milk, fruitless baskets, Marlboro Lights, hot salsa, and six-packs of beer.

Craziest request : A late model Maybach ('57 or '62) with tinted windows

So Jigga went from Marcy-projects hustler to requesting late model 'Bachs while on tour. What does he need a Maybach for? To take some spins around the parking lot a la "Otis" with some middle-aged chicks? For his safety, let's hope the the ones he's provided with aren't the chopped and screwed ones with missing doors.

As for the champagne and snacks, "I went to One Trump Plaza on their asses/No room service, just snacks and shit"—at least Hov's staying true to his word.

Full list of items : A couple six-packs of Sapporo, a bottle of Belvedere Vodka, two bottles of Patron Silver, two bottles of red, Italian wine from Bolgheri Region, two Ace of Spades bottles, and peanut butter and jelly.

Craziest request : "Access to a 'Rock Friendly' lawyer, medical doctor, dentist, masseuse and/or chiropractor"

Just because a band makes heavy, loud, and moshpit-causing music doesn't mean that the members are down with gettin' wild. And even if they are, they at least want to come prepared. That's where Korn comes in, as they want to make sure they're covered if things get out of control backstage or during the show. What's interesting, though, is that they also request that there are blockades and locked doors all over the place. Better safe than sorry, right?

Full list of items : Phone lines, 20 meals for lunch and dinner, 72 full-size towels, private, clean bathrooms with dimmable lights, ashtrays and rubbish bins.

16. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails

Craziest  request : Two boxes of corn starch

Over the years, Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor has bulked up considerably, but that doesn't mean he's moved away from tight clothing. And to ensure said clothing doesn't stay adhered to his skin during his lively performances, he requests not one but TWO boxes of corn starch. We have to imagine he'd get pretty chafed if NIN didn't come out of the gate with some of their heavier joints ... or if there's any kind of delay.

Full list of items : Budweiser, Bud Lite, "very good" red wine, soft drinks, juice, Gatorade, specific lunch and dinner menus.

15. Foo Fighters

Craziest  request : Various anecdotal requests

The Foo Fighters must take the crown of having the pickiest and most absurd rider requests. This shit is downright outrageous yet amusing. From used DVDs (no sports titles or Martin Lawrence) to any magazine (No Spin , Rolling Stone , or People ) that "show us you have a brain and fantastic interests"—these are full of "WTF" demands. And this one takes the cake: "Please make arrangements for leftover food to be collected by a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter or our roadie that looks like Osama Bin Laden." #EnoughSaid

Full list of items : Iced-down beer, bottles of San Pellegrino water, cooler with ice, small box of Emergen-C, shower gel, DVDs (used are fine), and magazines.

14. Metallica

Craziest  request : Lots of bacon

Nothing says "one of the most successful crossover metal bands in history" like bacon, right? RIGHT? Well, it should, because that's exactly what these guys want when they hit your venue. In fact, it's so important that they want it available for every single meal of the day. But that's not the case for some of the guys on the crew, as they are vegetarians. Why did we point that out? Because Metallica makes that point explicitly in their 24-page tour rider that also outlines the way they want alcohol sales handled, the band's insurance policy, and more than you can imagine.

Full list of items : Hot breakfast for 100 people that includes A LOT of fresh fruit, two gallons of every juice you can think of, nine or so different brands of cereal, assorted sodas and Gatorade flavors, hot coffee that must be kept up, and much more.

13. Gnarls Barkley

Craziest  request : One pack of Magnum condoms

Groupies and artists are a match-made in heaven. And in some cases, these artists are actually smart enough to perform, bang a groupie in their hotel room, and still leave the city knowing they ain't gotta worry about a baby mama. Gnarls Barkley—the duo of Danger Mouse and Cee Lo Green—are veterans in the game so they have a few tricks up their sleeves. Or, at least, they have common knowledge to practice safe sex by stocking up on Magnum condoms while on the road. What's with the athletic socks, though?

Full list of items : At least two pairs of white men's athletic socks, Swisher Sweets blunts, and bottles of Hennessy and Grey Goose.

12. Ozzy Osborne

Craziest  request : A nose, ear and throat doctor

In his younger years, you can bet that Ozzy Osborne asked for some bizarre items to land on his tour rider and, of course, plenty of booze and drugs. But in 1999? Dude just wanted to stay healthy. As such, he made sure a doctor was on hand to take care of his nose, ears, and throat, just in case. Also, Ozzy needed three tanks of oxygen because, apparently, you can never have enough oxygen. 

Full list of items : Three oxygens tanks available at load-in and the doctor must be able to administer a B-12 shot. Also, plenty of fire extinguishers.

11. Lil Wayne

Craziest  request : Private jet

You could only imagine what one of the biggest rap stars in the world would bring along on tour. It would be one helluva party—huge entourage, girls, alcohol, the usual. But having superstar status like Weezy requires a little bit of extra, with said extra being a private jet because buses are overrated. Also, he requires a police escort because, let's face it, he's got some enemies out there. Not only that, but his fanbase has reached a pinnacle, meaning plenty of screaming, adoring fans looking to get a piece of Weezy.

Full list of items : Police escort, five-star hotel accommodations, Gatorade, vodka, Red Bull energy drinks, assorted candy and potato chips.

Craziest  request : Female extras at every tour stop

Gummies, vodka, chocolate, blah blah blah. But humans? M.I.A. requests for female extras to be on board for every stop of her tour. Requirement? Lots of stage presence but we're assuming not too much. We're pretty sure she wouldn't want to be overshadowed by her extras, especially when they have to be onstage with her during the entirety of the show while being drapped in Burkas. For someone who has had a history of outrageous and eclectic moments [Read: Super Bowl], should we really be surprised at what M.I.A. needs to keep herself pleased?

Full list of items : Twenty-four 500 mL bottles of non-carbonated spring water. Must be Evian or Fiji. A container of organic dried blueberries, a container of quality assorted olives, a variety of quality chocolates such as Ferrero Rocher, one small bag of sour gummy candy, one 750 mL botlle of Ketel One Vodka, a bottle of Absynthe, a bottle of Mount Gay rum, a six pack of Heineken.

9. Van Halen

Craziest  request : No brown M&Ms

The craziest thing about Van Halen's request for no brown M&Ms is how NOT crazy it actually is but rather how sensible it actually is. So why did these guys, some of the biggest partiers of the '80s, want to make sure there were no brown M&Ms in their candy dishes? Simple: it was all to make sure that every other portion of their rider was followed. Genius, no?  

Full list of items : One breakfast for eight people at 6 a.m. followed by another at 8:30 for 20 people. If feasible, said breakfast should be hot and cooked, and it will features four cases of soda, four gallons of milk, two gallons of chocolate milk, two dozen English muffins, two dozen raisin muffins, three loaves of whole-wheat bread, one dozen hard-boiled eggs, assorted cereals, and more.

No beer provided until dinner at 6 p.m., but before that there's a lunch with a minimum of 44 sandwiches and food and drinks for 24 people. At dinner, the meat and vegetable options switch on odd and even days while there are potatoes, breads, and desserts served every days.

Two cases of beer (Heineken and Budweiser) with dinner with two more of those cases given to producer's stage manager at 7 p.m. There are more food and booze requirements for the band outside of their meals along with the request of one large tube of KY Jelly. Sure.

8. Steve Aoki

Craziest  request : Two medium-sized cakes reading “DIM MAK”

Picking out the most ridiculous request by Steve Aoki wasn't easy. The DJ/producer is becoming increasingly well known for his off-the-wall live shows that typically include—you guessed it—those two medium-sized cakes. What does he do with them? Well, let's just say he learned how to share at a young age. Also, props to anyone who requests that he needs an inflatable raft, because nothing says crowd participation like riding their hands like the rapids.

Full list of items "Inflatable boat or dingie, four confetti blast machines, handheld CO2 air blower, no self-powered speakers, only a Pioneer DJM-900 Nexus mixer, and other electronic goodies for his setup. Lots of drinks: 48 bottled waters, four Vita Coco drinks, eight ORGAIN protein drinks, two bottles of premium vodka, three bottles of champagne (cork only!), two bottles of Cristal, and much more booze. Even more food and drinks at the hotel, which must be within two miles of the venue."

Craziest  request : A wig room

Cher stands out like no other when it comes to her public image. The tats, the plastic surgery, and her fashion sense outshine the rest, but it's her ever-changing hairstyles that catch the most attention. Hell, she even has a personal room carrying all her wigs. And if that's not outrageous enough, how about fresh cut Casa Blanca lilies, and 12 black solo cups to keep the Goddess of Pop from throwing a hissy fit and ripping out her hair. No wait...

Full list of items : Black solo cups, lilies, M&Ms, beverages (from soda to alcohol), and pizza.

6. Mary J. Blige

Craziest  request : Private toilet (with new toilet seat)

Nobody likes using the public restroom. Quit frontin', you would rather hold it in than use the toilet at your local Mexican burrito joint. Mary J. Blige knows this better than anyone as she requests her own private toilet (with a new toilet seat!) at every city she visits. She also focuses on coziness, requesting extensive lighting, a humidifier, clothes rack, phone line, flowers, and a love seat. Touring means you'll be away from the comfier aspects of your home, but the queen of hip-hop soul doesn't have to worry about that. 

Full list of items : Hot and cold running water, a large vanity with mirror, extensive lighting, humidifiers, a loveseat, matching lamp tables, pack of Mentos, soft drinks, water, and tea.

5. Motley Crue

Craziest  request : A sub-machine gun

You would think the Motley Crue guys would tone the craziness down when they stopped drinking alcohol right? Wrong. In their post-booze days, they could be found requesting 12-foot boa constrictors, a jar of creamy peanut butter, some Grey Poupon mustard, and, oh, a sub-machine gun. Yeah. And in case they got close to wanting another drink, they needed to know the location of the nearest Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that night. 

Full list of items : Alcoholics Anonymous meeting locations, a jar of creamy peanut butter, a 12-foot-long boa constrictor, and a jar of Grey Poupon mustard.

Craziest  request : 20 international phone lines

If you're Madonna, you can do whatever the hell you want no matter how outrageous it seems because guess what? You're Madonna. A 200-person entourage that'll put Waka Flocka's crew to shame? Check. 20 international phone lines to call all her celebrity friends and tell them how amazing it is to be Madonna? Check.

And she might as well bring her whole house with her, too, or at least something that closely resembles that. Nothing feels better than home so she ships her home furniture along every stop of the tour to make sure her backstage room looks exactly like the friendly confines of whatever mansion she's living in nowadays.

Full list of items : 200-person entourage, her backstage room must look exactly like her own home (that means she ships around her furniture), special flower-scented fabric, actual flowers, personal chef who prepares only vegan foods, and her own dry-cleaning service.

3. Marilyn Manson

Craziest  request : A bald-headed, toothless hooker

So...anybody got a hook-up on a bald-headed, toothless hooker for Marilyn Manson? [ Silence ]. Props to whoever it is that handles Manson's rider demands, because all the money in the world wouldn't be enough for us take on that impossible task. The champagne, Doritos and cereal with 2% milk may be the closest thing to normal that Marilyn has seen since forever. Those Haribo gummi bears don't count.

Full list of items : Haribo gummi bears, mini chocolates, Doritos, cereal, 2% milk, fine cheeses, champagne (Cristal, Moet), two bottles of Absinthe, and air conditioning.

2. Iggy Pop

Craziest  request : A Bob Hope impersonator

Whether the items requested by Iggy Pop are legit or not, he wins on the basis of wanting a Bob Hope (look him up if that name's not familiar, youngsters) impersonator at every show. Not only that, but Iggy apparently wants to laugh even more, as he desires a copy of USA Today featuring at least one humorous story about obese Americans. Fair enough, Iggy, but what's with the item about the reality TV show in which people eat dog meat? Gross.

Full list of items : Entire pages dedicated to the live mixes, someone who can speak English, location of speakers and amplifiers, and colorful anecdotes about them all, including a rant about Santiago de Compostela. Also, "two dedicated and intensely loyal" security men, strong tea and coffee, assorted food, two "enormous pizzas," bread (baguettes namely), some fruit, and chocolate. "Yum, yum." And 12 bottles of "nice beer," dinner for 10 people as well as Iggy and two others, a deck of playing cards, and more. Iggy's room was to be designed by someone "loose with a little bit of flair."

1. Mariah Carey

Craziest  request : 20 white kittens and 100 doves

Mariah Carey is very diva-ish to say the least. This statement is backed by her trip to celebrate Christmas in London a few years back. The Phantom, pink carpet, security and entourage is understandable, but 20 white kittens and 100 doves are a bit excessive. A source told the Daily Mail , "We did manage to source the doves that we were going to release into the sky, but the kittens proved terribly difficult." Translation: "Like, how the fuck can we find and look after 20 white kittens at a Christmas celebration?" Fortunately for society, the request was turned down due to health and safety concerns.

Full list of items : Rolls-Royce, a pink carpet, pink podium, confetti shaped as butterflies, 80 security guards and 15-person entourage.

SHARE THIS STORY

Complex Music Newsletter

Stay ready. The playlists, good reads and video interviews you need—delivered every week.

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our

Latest in Music

| BY ABEL SHIFFERAW

Watch Kendrick Lamar Give Inspiring Speech to 2024 Compton College Graduates: ‘I Still Believe in Compton’

| BY MARK ELIBERT

Kendrick Lamar Unveils New Custom Dick Gregory-Inspired Grills

| BY BRAD CALLAS

YSL RICO Trial Witness Gets Jail Time After Refusing to Testify: 'I’m An Adult, I Plead the Fifth'

Kim Porter’s Dad on Video of ‘Despicable’ Diddy Assaulting Cassie: ‘I Was in Vietnam… I Wouldn’t Do That to My Enemy’

Howard University Revokes Diddy’s Honorary Degree, Will Return $1 Million Donation After Release of Cassie Assault Video

The Game Celebrates Daughter Graduating 8th Grade: 'You Make Straight A's Look Like Light Work'

| BY JADE GOMEZ

Ariana Grande Enlists Brandy, Monica, and Penn Badgley for "The Boy Is Mine" Video

| BY TREY ALSTON

Breaking Down the Role Reference Tracks Play in Hip-Hop

| BY JAMES KEITH

Headie One Nods To His Drill Roots On Poignant “I Still Know Better”

| BY ALEX OCHO

Colombian Stars Maluma and Blessd Join Forces on '1 of 1' Album

The 20 most ridiculous things superstar musicians have demanded at their concerts

Van Halen demanded all the brown M&M's be removed  from the group's candy bowl. Turns out that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to music stars' backstage demands.

Outlets like  The Smoking Gun  and Defamer have reported on a variety of leaked backstage documents  known as tour riders. A tour rider sets the terms that a venue must fulfill for an artist's performance. We sifted through 20 such riders to see what major musicians want in their dressing rooms. It can get pretty weird.

Some requests may confirm diva suspicions — as with Kanye West's various requests for a barber's chair and a Coke and Hennessy slushy machine. But we were more surprised by other requests, like one rap star who demanded Lunchables.

From specific scented candles to organic honey bans, see what the biggest artists ask for backstage:

Beyoncé demands her dressing room be kept at 78 degrees and asks for chicken legs "HEAVILY SEASONED" with cayenne pepper  and rose-scented candles . And don't have Coca-Cola products anywhere near her — Beyoncé can only be seen with Pepsi products due to a contractual agreement. The Demands:

1 Large table for catering dressed with white tablecloths. Dressing room should be 78 degrees 4 Brand New White Towels in bathroom (2 face & 2 body)

Hot Food:  Juicy Baked Chicken: Legs, Wings & Breast only (Please season with fresh garlic, season salt, black pepper, and Cayenne pepper HEAVILY SEASONED!!) Steamed Garlic Broccoli Lightly Seasoned Green Beans Lightly Seasoned Steamed Spinach 

Beyoncé can only have Pepsi products. 1 Case of Aquafina water (half cold, half room temperature) 1 Hot Tea Set up (Please have NEW Coffee Pot) Sliced Lemons Wedges Rose scented candles Lighter for candles CD player 

Adele 's many requests include chicken salad sandwiches, Marlboro Lights, the "best quality" red wine, and six metal teaspoons in her dressing room. She also bans organic honey. The Demands :  12 Small bottles still (non-carbonated) spring water (at room temperature) 1 Electric kettle for BOILING water 6 Large mugs for tea. All mugs should be new, washed and dried. 6 metal teaspoons 2 "Squeezy" bottles clear honey (not organic)  1 Bottle very best quality red wine (Italian, French or Spanish) 1 Assortment of chewing gum 1 Pack Marlboro Light plus 1 disposable cigarette lighter 1 Small selection fresh fruit, to include bananas, apples, grapes, fresh berries NO CITRUS FRUIT! 1 Small plate of assorted freshly made, individually wrapped sandwiches, to include chicken salad. Sandwiches must NOT contain tomatoes, vinegar, chili or citrus fruit  

Among Kanye 's previous requests are a barber's chair, Carmex lip balm, shower shoes, and a lot of alcohol. On his most recent "Saint Pablo" tour, West demanded a slushy machine with mixes of Coke and Hennessy and Grey Goose and lemonade.

The Demands:

1 Tub Plain Yogurt for dipping 4 small Yoplait Yogurt  1 Bowl of assorted nuts 1 Bowl of Sunkist Salted Pistachio Nuts (No Red Coloring) 2 Packs of Extra Chewing Gum 1 Bottle of Hot Sauce (Tabasco, Caribbean Type) 1 Box of Toothpicks 1 750 ml bottle of Hennessey Liquor 1 750 ml bottle of SKY or Absolut Vodka 1 Bottle of Patron Silver Tequila 4 Six Packs of Heineken Beer

The  singer  insists on blue or black drapes layered with "icy-blue chiffon." Rihanna also needs an animal-print throw rug and has a very specific candle request. 

5 AC power outlets Adequate lighting for a "relaxed atmosphere" White drapes to cover lockers and/or brick 1 Humidifier 1 Large throw rug — plush and animal print (Cheetah, Leopard) … must be CLEAN, as she will walk on it barefoot. Pipe and Drape the room in Dark Blue or Black drapes with Icy Blue Chiffon draped nicely on top 6 Candles — Archipelago Black Forest (if you can't get these, please let me know ASAP as we have a 2nd choice of candle for Ri). 4 Small, clear, square vases with White Tulips, no foliage (2nd choice: White Casablanca Lilies no foliage, 3rd choice: White Freesia, no foliage)

Don't bring Katy Perry carnations. In addition to very specific flower rules, the "Teenage Dream" singer's food list is quite specific, complete with freeze-dried strawberries and Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio.  

Arrangement of pink fresh flowers. White and purple hydrangeas, pink & white roses and peonies. If not available, seasonal white flowers to include white orchids–ABSOLUTELY NO CARNATIONS. A box of Huggies baby nature care wipes 6 Vitamin waters zero, assorted flavors Bowl of whole fresh organic grown fruit (apples, bananas, oranges and grapes) Plate of fresh-cut Crudités (to include cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, snap peas, celery) w/ ranch dip Snyder's of Hanover Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Jar of Salsa Baked (blue corn if possible) Tortilla Chips Freeze dried strawberries 2 bottles of Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio Throat coat, Twinnings Chamomile PG tips and Mint medley tea. Fuze slenderize assorted flavors A jar of quality honey Plastic drinking straws

Sir Paul McCartney

The animal-rights supporter bans fur, leather, and meat from his dressing room. The Beatle is also big with plants.

The Demands:  All lamps must be halogen floor lamps with dimmer switch. Only animal free materials (cottons, denims, velour, etc.) Do not provide furniture made of any animal skin or print. Do not provide artificial versions of animal skin or print either. No leather seating is allowed in the black stretch limousine either. Arrange for a dry cleaner before arrival. 6 Full and leafy floor plants, but no trees. We want plants that are just as full on the bottom as the top such as palm, bamboo, peace lilies, etc. No tree trunks! $50.00 - One large arrangement of white Casablanca lilies with lots of foliage. $40.00 - One long stemmed arrangement of pale pink and white roses with lots of foliage. $35 One arrangement of freesia. It comes in various colors so please mix them up. Freesia is a favorite. 20 dozen clean towels outside of the production office.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey 's list includes eight "tall, leafy plants," Joe Malone vanilla candles, two vases of white roses, and drapes around every perimeter.

Each room must be draped. Black drapes are fine. The entry door should open into the living room space, not the dressing room. Temperature should be about 75 degrees. 1 Three Seat Couch — Plain Color, no busy patterns; black, dark grey, cream, dark pink are fine 12 1 Liters of Fiji Water 3 Bottles Chardonnay — Chilled 12 Coke 12 Diet Coke 12 Vanilla Protein Drinks 6 Sparkling Water (Pellegrino) 12 Melon Flavor Gatorade 6 Red Wine Glasses 6 White Wine Glasses 4 Joe Malone Vanilla Candles 2 Vases White Roses Fried Chicken (warm) 12 Small Bottles water (room temperature) 3 Whole lemons and honey Sugarless gum

The "Rap God" isn't too high-maintenance . Other than fruit, food, and drinks, he just wants access to some weights to work out. Make sure Marshall Mathers also has a CD player that can play burned CDs and some Lunchables. 

The Demands: 

25 pound dumbbells 24-Diet Coke 16oz plastic bottles 12 Diet Coke 12oz cans 6 Verner ginger ale soda (or Schweppes) 48 Daisani, Poland Spring 12oz bottles "NO Evian" 1 Loaf white bread  1 Loaf wheat bread 6 Lunchables snacks (3 turkeys & 3 ham with cheese) 6 Cans Red Bull 16 Cans Sugar-Free Red Bull Large fresh jumbo shrimps with cocktail sauce and plenty of lemons 1 Jar of banana pepper rings

Grace Jones

The '70s and '80s legend Grace Jones wants oysters and insists that she will do "her own shucking" of her requested molluscs, according to the following excerpt of her tour rider list leaked by Defamer . She also needs a lot of very specific wine bottles.

6 Bottles of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne 3 Bottles of French Vintage red wine (e.g. St Emilion, Medoc, Bordeaux) 3 Bottles of French Vintage white wine (e.g. Sancerre, Pouilly Fuisse) 2 Dozen Findeclare or Colchester Oysters on ice (unopened)—(Grace does her own shucking.) 2 Sashimi and Sushi platters for 8 people 6 Fresh lemons 1 Bottle of Tabasco sauce 1 Fresh fruit platter for 8 people 6 Bottles of Coca Cola 12 Bottles of still and sparkling water 12 Bottles of fresh fruit juices Wine glasses, champagne flutes, tumblers (all glass, no plastic) Cutlery and sharp knife 1 Oyster knife 1 Make up mirror (no neon strip lighting, only opaque white bulbs) Fresh towels, clothes hangers, clothes rail 3-4 Bunches of flowers—prefer lilys and orchids Sofa and arm chairs

According to Complex , Drake requests two specific brands of body care items: Nivea chapstick and Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap, which he says " tingles the body and clears the mind."

Four dozen natural-scented incense sticks  Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap Pork-free food E-Z Wider rolling papers and a pack of Dutch Master President cigars Pinot Grigio Heineken B ottles of Jack Daniel’s Patron Silver tequila

Nivea chapstick

A  bottle of Hennesey or Courvoisier Grey Goose Andis T-Outliner trimmers Extra sets of speakers

Jack White's rider made headlines last year for its explicit "no banana policy" — which White later attributed to an allergy on his touring team — and its inclusion of a highly specific homemade guacamole recipe. 

1 dozen chicken wings (buffalo, teryaki, suprise us) 1 bowl of FRESH HOME-MADE GUACAMOLE (recipe below ) 8 champagne flutes (real glass) 8 wine glasses (real glass) 8 highball glasses (real glass) 1 hummus & pita chips iPod player with sufficient volume control NO fluorescent lighting PLEASE NOTE: This is a NO BANANA TOUR. (Seriously)

Madonna's brief yet complex tour rider list reportedly requires room for her 200-person entourage and 20 international phone lines to call friends in other countries, according to Complex .

200-person entourage 2o international phone lines Her backstage room must look exactly like her own home (that means she ships around her furniture) Special flower-scented fabric Actual flowers Personal chef who prepares only vegan foods Her own dry-cleaning service

Alicia Keys

Give all the room-temperature Evian (and Aquafina) water to Alicia Keys . The singer asks for chocolate almond milk, tuna sandwiches, and specific Glade candle scents.

The Demands:   7 sets of metal silverware 1 Lighter 3 Glade Candles (French Vanilla, Rain shower, Wild Berry, Tangerine Ginger) 3 Cans of Chunk White Tuna 10 Nutri-Grain Bars (Blueberry, Cherry, Apple, Strawberry) 6 Individual Packets of Quaker Oats Instant Oatmeal (Brown Sugar and Apple Cinnamon) 1 Assorted Fruit Platter with strawberries, seedless red grapes, bananas, mango, blueberries, cantaloupe and raspberries 2 Cases of beer (one imported and one domestic; brands preferred: Amstel Light, Corona, Bud, Bud Light or local beer) 3 menus for local seafood and Italian restaurants to order meals for Alicia

Jay Z 's rider requires a confounding seven separate dressing rooms, as well as "good quality" peanut butter and jelly and a clean bucket of ice. 

The Demands: 7 Dressing Rooms Desired room temperature of 72 degrees 1 Love Seat 1 Large Couch 2 Matching End Tables 2 48 Cases of Fiji Water (24 cold/24 room temperature) 6 Cans of Coca-Cola 6 Cans of Red Bull 6 Bottles of Vitamin Water 1 Jar of good quality peanut butter 1 Jar of good quality grape jelly 1 Hot tea service for 4: hot water kettle, ceramic and disposable cups All requests for alcohol were shaved from the list.

Mary J. Blige

R&B legend  Mary J. Blige will not use a "public" toilet, in any sense of the word. Her rider list requires a "private toilet (with new toilet seat)." 

2 Humidifiers 10 medium prewashed bath sized towels NO DAIRY OR PORK OF ANY KIND!! 10 1.5 liter bottles of FIJI water (absolutely, positively must be FIJI) 6 cans of Diet Dr. Pepper 6 cans of Schweeps Ginger Ale 2 packs of Mentos — cinnamon fresh only 6 cans of Red Bull energy drink 6 bottles of Black Cherry Propells in sports bottle 8 sets of silverware 24 napkins 1 tub of clean ice

Break out the blenders for Mother Monster . Gaga gets an entire smoothie station in her dressing room.  The Demands:  2 Bottles of white wine with wine opener — Kendall Jackson or Robert Mondavi preferred 1 Pack of Straws 1 Cushioned office style chair TV with cable and a DVD player 1 Rolling clothing rack  4 Unscented candles Cool-mist humidifier 3 fans Tea kettle, organic ginger and lemongrass tea and honey are very important. 1 4 pack of Red Bull Light (on ice) 2 Bottles of Green Tea 1 Container of Guacamole Hot dogs (Yves veggie dogs eaten with toothpicks) A smoothie station (with frozen berries, fuze and whey protein or non-fat Greek yogurt) Blender needed 1 Plate of cheese (non-smelly, non-sweaty on ice) with whole wheat/healthy crackers A mix of assorted fresh fruit (cut and must have edible skin OR edible seeds OR citrus)

Cher 's extensive (and dated) list from a 1999 tour demands a "wig room," rooms for her male and female dancers, and one for Dr. Stacey, a massage therapist, among many other things.

1 Wig Room 1 Room for Dr. Stacey 1 bottle of fine red wine (No Kendall Jackson) 1 bottle of fine white wine (No Kendall Jackson) 4 Cokes 4 Diet Cokes 1 coffee table 1 end table for the phone to be placed on TV with VCR with a cable Hook up. Please make sure we can get the following channels: Turner Classic Movies or AMC.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift' s tour buses are essentially the equivalent of a dorm room. Just make sure if she's arriving before 11 a.m. you've made a pit stop to Starbucks. 

The Demands: If arriving before 11 a.m., the following from Starbucks:

1 Grande ICED Caramel Latte w/ 2 sweet-n-lows 1 Grande ICED Americano w/ 2 sweet-n-lows with soy milk 1 slice pumpkin loaf

1 Stick Butter 3 Boxes Kraft Macaroni/Cheese 2 Four Packs of Red Bull 1 12 Pack Corona Beer 1 12 Pack New Castle Beer 1 Bottle Welch's Grape Juice 1 Avocado 1 Bag of Twizzlers red licorice 1 Case of Smart Water 1 Pint Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream 1 Pint Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Brownie Frozen Yogurt

Punk icon Iggy Pop's 18-page rider from 2006 is a monstrosity that includes, among many ridiculous requests, a demand for "Somebody dressed as Bob Hope" to do impersonations of the dead comedian.

A copy of USA Today that's got a story about morbidly obese people in it 6 bottles of Grolsch or decent local beer F------ loads of good red wines 6 large bottles of good quality sparkling water 3 cases x 12 oz bottles of still mineral water 6 bottles of alcohol free beer 1 case of big bottles of good, premium beer A bottle of vodka Cauliflower/broccoli, cut into individual florets and thrown immediately into the garbage. I f------ hate that.

Van Halen's infamous "no brown M&M's"  request was reportedly instituted so that concert promoters would be forced to pay close attention to all the items on their extensive list — or else forfeit the profits of their show, due to a contract clause. You can find a sampling of their ridiculous rider below and the full version at The Smoking Gun.

Nuts  Pretzels M&MS (WARNING: ABSOLUTELY NO BROWN ONES) 1 large tube of KY jelly 3 packs of Marlboro cigarettes (box) Herring in sour cream 2 gallons non-carbonated, bottled spring water 3 fifths Jack Daniels Black Label bourbon 2 fifths Stolichnaya vodka 1 pint Southern Comfort 2 bottles Blue Nun white wine

• Main content

• Freddie Mercury Deserves th...
• Guns N' Roses
• Steven Tyler
• John Frusciante
• Weird Things We Didn’t Know About Lead Singers ...
• Stevie Nicks
• Speaking Truth to Power
• The Beatles
• Messy Breakups
• Iggy Pop, The Godfather of ...
• Sid Vicious
• Elvis, The King
• Bob Marley Practiced What H...
• Musicians Who Didn't Deserve All The Tabloid Ha...
• Ozzy Osbourne
• Mick Jagger's Most Insane S...
• Black Sabbath

The Most Outrageous Backstage Rider Requests Of All Time

Bands' backstage contracts, or riders, can be incredibly amusing for fans. Take the Foo Fighters, for instance; they're a band that has never taken themselves too seriously, and their rider shows it. It's full of ridiculous joke requests for outlandish items and services. Sometimes, though, the nutty stuff isn't just written in for fun. Some celebrity riders truly have shockingly ridiculous requests.

And yes, even the greatest bands of all time have some pretty silly demands. From some not-so-surprising requests - like a stockpile of condoms - to stuff that's truly outrageous - like banning people backstage with a certain name - there have been some really incredible dressing room contract demands over the years. 

• Filipe Vicente
• Wikimedia Commons

Mariah Carey's Demand For 20 Kittens And 100 Doves

With a reputation for being a diva, nothing Mariah Carey demands in her rider should be too much of a shock. One hundred white doves and a dozen kittens, though? That's pretty extra.

Apparently, Carey wanted these animals surrounding her at an appearance to turn on Christmas lights. She didn't get her wish, though, as it was opposed by health and safety officials.

"We did manage to source the doves that we were going to release into the sky, but the kittens proved terribly difficult," an official stated . "In the end, it was made clear that due to health and safety, there was no way we could have the animals at Westfield. We do not allow pets into Westfield - that rule would apply for everyone."

• rodrigoferrari
• CC BY-SA 2.0

Kanye's Cotton Condition

According to a rider from an Australian tour, Kanye West required that his drivers - yes, his drivers -  wear 100% cotton and no other fabric while transporting him from place to place.

That's about as odd a requirement as one could imagine from a pop star at any level. 

Madonna's Personal Furnishings

Madonna is basically pop royalty, and her tour rider pretty much reflects that. She's got some standard diva stuff in there, like personal chefs and whatnot, but there are also quite a few items that are extravagent and shocking. Would you believe Madonna demands a brand-new toilet seat everywhere she goes?

Stuff like that is rumored to be all over her rider, but there's one requirement that really tops them all: She reportedly ships all of her furniture around with her, and demands that any hotel furniture be removed and replaced with her own. That way, anywhere she goes feels like home. 

• jenniferlinneaphotography

Christina Aguilera's Traffic Terms

According to her tour rider, Christina Aguilera isn't a fan of traffic. In fact, she hates it so much that she demands a police escort to every show. The rider stipulates that Christina and her team need to be escorted through traffic , and that "under no circumstances are the vehicles to be allowed to encounter any delays due to traffic."

That's a pretty intense thing to ask of both a concert promoter and local police. 

• Antje Naumann
• CC BY-SA 3.0

Slayer's '100 Snow-White Goats'

Slayer's tour rider might get the prize for the weirdest of all time - even though it's very clearly a joke. The metal band requests a variety of outlandish things in their rider, including 50,000 live bees, 10 cases of Gogurt, a Bowflex, a human skull filled with Red Hots, and more.

The thing that makes it the greatest rider ever? Their request for "100 snow-white goats for slaughter." That's a metal rider if there ever was one.

• Eva Rinaldi

Katy Perry's Flower Embargo

Katy Perry has some pretty specific demands for her floral arrangements backstage - namely, an absolute disdain for carnations. The "Firework" singer apparently asks for "white and purple hydrangeas, pink & white roses and peonies" but makes it clear in all caps (and underlined) that "ABSOLUTELY NO CARNATIONS" are allowed. 

Aside from that flower request, Perry's rider stipulates that drivers are under no circumstances allowed to talk to her while she's being escorted, nor are they allowed to even look at her in the rearview mirror. 

Axl Rose's Square Melon

Axl Rose became notorious for his antics and aggressive behavior on stage and off. None of that, however, tops perhaps the strangest thing he's ever done: request a square melon in his tour rider.

Yes, you read that correctly. The Guns N' Roses singer reportedly requested on his rider that venues provide him with a square-shaped melon - something that apparently exists. According to reports, the melon is described as an item that "absolutely can't be missed." 

• Gage Skidmore

NSYNC's 'Toy' Room

In the backstage rider for NSYNC's world tour, there were plenty of standard items that you'd expect to see on just about any artist's request list. On one page of the rider, however, there was a request for a particularly interesting room alongside standard catering and dressing rooms:  a toy room .

At the time, the members of NSYNC were fairly young, but a toy room still seems unusual. What kind of toys were present in this room? One can only imagine. 

• Joella Marano

Jay-Z's Vintage Maybach With Tinted Windows

When you're Jay-Z, you can pretty much demand anything on the road without question, so it's not totally shocking that he wants the absolute best ground transportation anywhere he goes. In particular, he's requested a black '57 or '62 Maybach with tinted windows.

Also featured in Mr. Beyonce's rider: expensive champagne and a dressing room stocked with booze of all different kinds. 

• Piotr Drabik

Brandon Flowers's Precise Schedule For Food And Beverages

The Killers' Brandon Flowers might not seem like the kind of guy to have an odd tour rider demand. According to his solo rider, however, Flowers demands a certain schedule in which his food and beverages will be provided on certain days. Essentially, he bans certain foods from certain days of the week.

In the rider, Flowers's representative says he eats certain preserves only on certain days of the week. Sundays and Tuesdays are reserved for strawberry, for example. Flowers eats apricot preserves on Mondays and Thursdays, and he saves red raspberry jam for Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, according to The Smoking Gun . 

• Anirudh Koul

Van Halen's Infamous M&M Ban

Perhaps the most notorious and well-known rider demand in the history of rock and roll, Van Halen's brown M&M's stipulation is actually quite practical and done for a sensible reason. (It's still pretty outrageous, though, if you consider the fact that every single venue had to adhere to these exact demands.)

The story goes that the band, whose shows had intense production and technical specifications that could be immense safety hazards, decided to test production staff at venues in order to gauge whether the technical aspects were up to their standard. If the venue complied with Van Halen's request, and there were indeed  no brown M&M's in their candy bowl, the band knew that the production met all their standards for safety and technical specifications.

• CC BY-SA 4.0

The Stones' 'Well Groomed' Hostess Requirement

It's easy to give the Rolling Stones a pass on pretty much anything questionable in their tour rider, given that they're one of the most legendary and longest-running bands of all time. That said, one particular request is definitely eyebrow-raising.

According to reports, on their 1997-'98 world tour, the band required that "two smartly-dressed, well groomed hostesses" meet them in their dressing rooms to serve them food. Apparently, it's not as dirty as it sounds; they literally wanted well-dressed female waitresses at their service upon their arrival at the venue.

• DoD News Features

Rihanna's Animal Print Throw Rug

A 2010 rider request from singer Rihanna went viral after it was revealed that she demanded an animal print throw rug at every venue. 

The rider specifies : "1 Large throw rug, plush and animal print (Cheetah, Leopard), must be CLEAN, as she will walk on it barefoot." The pop star also called for six very specific candles: Archipelago Black Forest Candles.

• Diego DeNicola

Gnarls Barkley's Magnum Condoms

Gnarls Barkley made some really incredible music, and they took advantage of their fame and popularity by asking for some essentials in their tour rider. Namely, the duo wanted blunts and bottles of Hennessy and Grey Goose vodka. They also required a box of magnum condoms .

The musicians are far from the only ones to request these particular prophylactics. Other stars like Busta Rhymes and 50 Cent have also demanded condoms on the road. 

• Nat Ch Villa

Beyonce's Backstage Temperature

Turns out, Beyonce is pretty sensitive to temperature. Or at least that appears to be the case, according to a leaked rider. Among such demands, like all white furniture and two bars of Irish Spring soap, Queen Bey insists that the temperature in her dressing room should be a comfortable 72 degrees at all times. 

All in all, her rider is pretty tame for one of the most successful pop stars of all time. But it raises the question: What happens if the temperature is a couple degrees off? 

• Frank Schwichtenberg

Pharrell's Carl Sagan Stipulation 

Pharrell Williams has acknowleged his love for the late Carl Sagan numerous times, explaining that he's got a deep admiration for the legendary astronomer and cosmologist. Taking his love for Sagan one step further, Williams reportedly requests a photo of Sagan in his dressing room . 

"I can only aspire to be someone that people learn as much from as they learned from Carl Sagan. Carl Sagan is to me what A Tribe Called Quest was to [N*E*R*D] for music," Williams said in an interview about Sagan's influence on him. 

AC/DC's Oxygen Masks

It's pretty unclear as to why AC/DC would need oxygen tanks and masks on tour, but apparently they do. According to a 2008 rider, the band requested tanks and masks in addition to some pretty reasonable requests, including "fun size" candy bars and a case of beer.

The beer wasn't allowed in dressing rooms before the show, however. Perhaps because they were filling up on oxygen?

• David Carroll

Cher's Wig Room

It shouldn't be surprising that Cher would have a wig room in her backstage rider . The pop star's hair has become a major part of her performances. That said, imagine being such a big star, with so many wigs, that you require an entire room dedicated to them just for your show.

• monstershaq2000's

Ne-Yo's Ketel One Cleanser 

For whatever reason, Ne-Yo likes to have a bottle of  Ketel One  handy for cleaning. Yes, the R&B star reportedly requests the popular vodka in every city so that he can use it to clean something, though precisely what is unknown. Clothes, jewelry, microphones?

It's unclear as to why he specifically requires Ketel One, or why he doesn't just have someone take care of his drycleaning, but to each their own.

• Brett Robson – Global Photographics

One Direction's Homemade Desserts

It turns out that everyone's favorite short-lived boy band had a collective sweet tooth. One Direction reportedly required an array of "homemade"  desserts backstage, in addition to local fast food depending on where they were (Chick-fil-A or KFC, etc.). 

Apparently, Niall Horan's favorite dessert is profiteroles (cream puffs, for American readers). 

• Michael Morel

Jack White's Guac Recipe

Rocker Jack White went viral after his tour rider leaked and revealed an unorthodox request. Sure, there were some essentials and some unsurprising requirements like specific foods and beverages, but White also included a recipe in his rider for guacamole. According to reports, he requires that the recipe be made prior to his arrival.

In an interview with NPR, chef Martin Morales said he tried the recipe and approved of White's favorite guac. "It's down to the fresh ingredients and the timing of the way each ingredient is put together," Morales said. 

Iggy Pop's Preferred Newspaper

Iggy Pop has become known for his backstage riders, which are filled with outlandish requests that are sometimes completely bonkers.

One of the silliest  stipulations in Pop's rider is that he requires an English-language newspaper like  The New York Times -  but also notes that he'd be okay with USA Today if there's a "story about morbidly obese people" in it.

Truly the work of an old-school punk rocker who doesn't take himself too seriously. 

• loveyousave

Britney Spears's Cheeseburgers Without The Buns

At a show in London, Britney Spears apparently requested a photo of the late Princess Diana for her dressing room, as well as fish and chips and some other stereotypically British things. The Diana photo, a source said, was because she "adores the monarchy."

"Diana was in many ways her inspiration," the source explained . Spears also requested McDonald's cheeseburgers, minus the buns. 

• Photos By Alyssa

50 Cent's Pork Ban

50 Cent's rider seems pretty standard, with food and beverage requests, though he apparently doesn't like pork at all.

A leaked rider revealed that the rapper completely banned pork from anywhere in his vicinity at all times. He did, however, welcome a couple boxes of Lifestyles Rough Riders condoms.

• Jim Pietryga

The Rolling Stones' Written Instructions

Sometimes it's easy to forget that the Rolling Stones are old, since they've been touring nonstop for half a century. But, if you need a reminder that they're most certainly aging rockers, look no further than their tour rider.

In their list of venue requirements, the band reportedly specifies that they need written instructions for all electronics in their dressing rooms to ensure that the members know how to use them properly. In other words, they're not very technologically savvy. 

• Music History
• Bands/Musicians

The most bananas stories and insane 100% true tales about the lives and behind-the-music antics of your favorite rock stars and legendary bands.

The 30 Most Absurd Celebrity Riders of All Time

These are just a little over-the-top.

Ask and you shall receive—at least when it comes to celebrity riders (a list of demands stars write into their performance contracts). From Justin Timberlake's ridiculous request to have doorknobs cleaned to Beyoncé needing her dressing room set to a very specific temperature, these are the most outrageous requirements.

Stay In The Know

Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.

For Adele, it was very important that she receive  one pack of Marlboro Lights  and a lighter, as was included in her rider for the “Adele 21” tour. She also requested she be given two bottles of "the best quality Californian red wine and one bottle of the best quality Californian Sauvignon Blanc white wine (chilled). NO CHARDONNAY!"

Justin Bieber

When he was first starting his career in 2010, Bieber’s riders were simple: lots of  snack food . Now, eight years later, Bieber’s riders include  10 luxury Sedans , a massage table, and a private jet on standby for any of his travel desires.

Beyoncé

Don't bring Coca-Cola products near Queen Bey, as she’s in a contract with Pepsi and drinking anything else would break it. Also requested in her hospitality rider: heavily seasoned, baked chicken legs, breasts, and wings (don’t forget to the hot sauce). And as if performing didn’t make her sweat, Beyoncé likes the temperature in her dressing room to be set to  78 degrees  at all times.

Christina Aguilera

The singer really  hates traffic , so to bypass any on her way to a venue, she requests a police escort, adding that “under no circumstances are the vehicles to be allowed to encounter any delays due to traffic.”

Among his  list of requests while on tour , Drake’s weirdest is four dozen natural-scented incense sticks. Less surprising: a *ton* of alcohol, including bottles of Hennessy or Courvoisier, Patron Silver Tequila, Grey Goose Vodka, Jack Daniels, and Heineken.

Taylor Swift

Swift loves her  Starbucks  so much that her very specific order has to be delivered to her before 11 a.m. The order includes 1 Grande ICED Caramel Latte with 2 Sweet-N-Lows, 1 Grande ICED Americano with 2 Sweet-N-Lows and soy milk, and 1 slice of Pumpkin loaf.

Selena Gomez

Post 2014 break up  with Justin Bieber, Gomez had declared no one she worked with could go by the name “Justin.” Apparently quite a few crew members had the name and therefore were given different monikers during her time of mourning. Other than that one strange request, Gomez just needs  chicken pot pie and pickles .

During her “Last Girl on Earth” world tour in 2010, Rihanna’s rider included  one large fur rug  (preferably animal-printed) for her to walk on barefoot. Apparently she was also very big into curtains, specifically blue or black with “icy-blue chiffon” and white curtains to cover any lockers or bricks.

Justin Timberlake

The “Sexy Back” singer is very health conscious and, according to his rider, he requires someone to  disinfect the doorknobs  of any backstage venue or hotel he's in every two hours. On top of that, it’s necessary for him to have the elevator to himself and an entire floor of a hotel.

Jennifer Lopez

It’s  all-white everything  for Lopez. Her rider says all objects, from the curtains down to the candles, must be the creamy shade.

The “Extraterrestrial” singer is a little  extra with her food requests . Perry’s snack list is complete with unsweetened, dried apples and pears, and lightly salted, dry-roasted edamame. And if you ever plan to send Perry flowers, under absolutely no circumstances should they be carnations.

In his spring 2009 production rider, the rapper demanded that he have  seven dressing rooms  (one for every day of the week maybe?). And Jay-Z was also in need of some “good quality peanut butter” and “good quality jelly” to, you know, make some really bomb PB&J sandwiches in his down time.

Mariah Carey

For a tour, Carey requested a bottle of Cristal champagne, complete  with bendy straws for sipping . Oh, and she was also in need of a person whose sole purpose was to throw away her gum.

At the top of Joe Jonas’ rider:  12 puppies . He revealed that it’s been on his rider for a while, but this is the one thing he doesn't always get. He said only occasionally will “a city will show up with 12 puppies" for him. Other than that, he just wants beer and meat pies.

In one of his previous tours, Kanye  bolded the most important things  to him on his rider. Chief among the requested: Carmex chapstick, Sunkist salted pistachios, bottles of Propel Water, and booze—a bottle of Hennessy, Skyy or Absolut Vodka, Patron Silver Tequila, and four 6-packs of Heineken. During his “Saint Pablo” tour, Kanye’s wife Kim Kardashian, posted a photo of  alcohol-infused slushie machines  in his dressing room, and we can only assume that means they were put there by demand.

Gaga has made some pretty unusual requests, one being a mannequin with " puffy pink public hair ” (we think she meant  pubic  hair, but hey, who knows!) for her “Monster Ball” tour. She also was in need of some extra long straws and lots of tea—as any true fan knows, she’s obsessed with it.

Hart’s request could be the most absurd yet. He asked to have  five women  between the ages of 21-27 “with an athletic/sexy build” at the venue one hour ahead of time and to stay one hour after. The ridiculous rider said T-shirts and tights would be provided to the women and the only “sizes are x-small, small, and medium.”

Britney Spears

During her performance in London’s O2 Arena, Spears requested that a framed photo of Princess Diana be hung in her dressing room because,  reportedly,  "Britney adores the monarchy. Diana was in many ways her inspiration." She also really wanted some McDonald’s cheeseburgers...but hold the buns.

Lindsay Lohan

Before she was to appear on a Russian talk show, Lohan sent a list of demands, one of which included  meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin . She also requested she be given a one-year visa, private jet, and $650,000 for her appearance on the show.

George Clooney

Supposedly, Clooney requested a hot tub,  custom-made beach hut , and basketball court to be installed near his trailer while making the movie  Gravity .

Mary J. Blige

She’s apparently  not a fan of public toilets . Her rider states she needs her own private one, complete with new seat. Plus, any hotel she stays in must have king-sized beds, because “twin beds are unacceptable.”

Her biggest request, and we mean biggest as in number, was  a 200-person entourage . Oh, and she’s adamant about her backstage room resembling her own personal home, with flower-scented fabric furniture

The rapper could care less about the furniture is his dressing room—his rider only lays out  what food he should have . And he’s a kid at heart, requesting 6 Lunchables—3 turkeys and 3 hams if we’re being specific. He must also have a love for Diet Coke, because he needed 24 cans and 24 plastic bottles of it.

The singer needs a lot of alcohol to be stocked in his dressing room, including  a bottle of Ketel One . But this isn’t the kind of vodka for drinking. Ne-Yo requested a bottle for the sole purpose of using it to clean things, though the rider didn’t specify what things that would be.

Cher and her managers don’t wear backstage passes. End of story. Her rider points out that people should familiarize themselves with their faces because they won’t be wearing them. Oh, and she’ll take  one separate room for all her wigs  too.

The “Purple Rain” singer made one of the biggest requests to date in 2007, asking the venue’s owner to build him  a luxury five-bedroom home  near the O2 Arena in London. In  his 2004 rider  he required that “all items in dressing room must be covered by clear plastic wrap until uncovered by main artist. This is absolutely necessary.”

Whitney Houston

Per her rider, Houston requested that she be transported in an “armored”  Mercedes Benz  or BMW 740.

One Direction

The now-split boy band had some pretty fun requests for their 2015 “On the Road Again” tour, including a fridge stocked with beer at all times, lots of KFC,  a ping-pong table , and soft toilet paper. This all seems pretty doable compared to what other celebrities have asked for.

Will Ferrell

Like many of the roles he takes on, Ferrell has some pretty funny requests—and we’re not sure if they were to be taken seriously. Items included an electric three wheel mobility scooter,  a flight of stairs on wheels , a fake tree on wheels, and a rainbow on wheels. We’re seeing the pattern here.

Paul McCartney

Quite the opposite of Rihanna, McCartney requested  all items be animal-free , including food, materials, and prints (no plush fur rug for him). His rider states that “there will be no meat, or meat by-products allowed to be served in the dressing rooms, production office, or areas within the 'backstage area.'” If he’s not eating meat, no one can.

I’m currently working at Dotdash Meredith as the Celeb & Entertainment E-Commerce Lead contributing affiliate content for  People.com  and  InStyle.com . I’m basically like your personal shopper, from writing about that cozy loungewear set you didn’t know you needed to keeping tabs on the best sales and deals on the internet. I’m also a pro at finding affordable dupes for celebrity looks and I love to dig into the data to strategize content opportunities.

As rumblings begin to stir surrounding when the Princess of Wales will return to public duty, the Firm desperately doesn’t want what happened earlier this year to repeat itself.

By Rachel Burchfield Published 6 June 24

The hit sitcom was on for a whopping 10 seasons, so not every episode can stand the test of time.

By Katherine J. Igoe Published 6 June 24

From lightweight linen pieces to the perfect little black dress, the brand is a one-stop shop to stock your warm-weather wardrobe.

By Julia Marzovilla Published 6 June 24

The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.

By Brooke Knappenberger Published 23 November 22

Honestly, we're impressed.

By Charlotte Chilton Published 26 October 22

From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.

By Mehera Bonner Published 8 September 22

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.

By The Editors Published 8 September 22

And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.

By Andrea Park Published 8 September 22

AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.

By Katherine J. Igoe Published 19 May 22

"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.

By The Editors Published 15 February 22

They welcomed a baby via surrogate.

By Neha Prakash Published 21 January 22

• Contact Future's experts
• Advertise Online
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy

Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

This story is over 5 years old.

The most ridiculous tour riders in history, one email. one story. every week. sign up for the vice newsletter..

By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content.

Capital XTRA

Omah Howard 1pm - 4pm

Now Playing

Sensational Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay Download 'Sensational' on iTunes

19 Insane Tour Rider Requests By Your Favourite Artists

From ironed carpets to three boxes of condoms: the ridiculous, rumoured demands of your favourite artists' tour riders.

1. 'Cash Me Outside Girl' aka Bhad Bhabie is making some lavish demands for her tour.

According to TMZ, Bhad Bhabie aka Danielle Bregoli is demanding lots on tour, including a 50" inch TV with Netflix and DVD player, 3 fidget spinners, 5 Gildan or Fruit of the Loom brand white tank tops, 4 large Domino's pizzas, 1 fruit platter, but NO pineapple. She is also requesting $750 per diem, plus $3k for extra security costs.

2. Beyonce's 2013 The Mrs. Carter World Tour rider was insane...

Beyonce reportedly had some bizarre requests for her 2013 The Mrs Carter World tour. According to E! news, the singer is claimed to have listed “hand-carved ice balls”, freshly painted white walls and a new toilet seat, red toilet paper, 100% pure cotton clothing for staff, titanium drinking straws (worth £600) and strictly no junk food!

3. Cardi B requested a (fairly) modest rider at Coachella 2018...

According to TMZ, Cardi B demanded that she has 6 dozen white roses in her room before the show and that there was plenty of alcohol for her crew. Her full rider includes: Six dozen white roses, Degree spray deodorant, Gillette razors, Grilled/fried chicken, Caesar salad, Roasted vegetables, Two bottles of D’usse, Two bottles of Hennessy, One Bottle of 1942 tequila, 20 bottles of water, Red Bull and Fresh coffee. Picture: Getty

4. Jay-Z insists that his dressing room is 71 degrees with three $80 Mayan-tuberose scented candles

According to TMZ, Jay also demands that there is no vacuuming near his room and that staff should not ask for free concert tickets to "avoid embarrassment". The rapper also insists on 71 degree temp. Rooms must be childproofed with all corners, sharp edges, and electrical outlets all covered, and statues, lamps, and breakable objects removed. Also, Blue Ivy only drinks organic whole milk.

5. Ed Sheeran's tour rider is surprisingly humble...

According to the Daily Star, Ed Sheeran's Glastonbury 2017 tour rider includes Robinsons Squash, a six-pack of Coca-Cola, a six-pack of Diet Coke, a six-pack of Fanta Orange, a six-pack of Sprite and a jar of Manuka Honey. The total cost amounts to less than £60! Picture: Getty

6. Drake asks for, specifically, 48 incense sticks and three candles

The rider, which The Smoking Gun obtained, allegedly includes "natural sented insense sticks” and “Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap” which, the product, claims will “tingle the body and clear the mind”. The rider does, however, date back to 2010 and as we all know from Drake's 2015 track 'No Tellin'', he's changed since then: "Please do not speak to me like I'm that Drake from four years ago".

7. Future requires "fresh white powdered" doughnuts and lemongrass scented candles.

TMZ claim that Future demands chicken fingers, "fresh white powdered" doughnuts, cheddar popcorn and broccoli to keep him full and wants 4 bottles of Ace of Spades, Ciroc and Moet to wash it down with.

8. Kanye West demands 13 bottles of alcohol, cylindrical vases and a rare Genelecs 1031a speaker.

According to TMZ, Kanye also likes minty floss, Kashi Go Lean cereal and black towels. Picture: Getty

9. Justin Bieber requests an "Indian yoga casket”, a jacuzzi and meals named after his owns songs.

The leaked rider, allegedly taken from a recent India tour, also includes "a private jet and chopper on stand-by", while his dressing room must be "entirely draped with white curtains". Biebs also demands "purple carnations" and absolutely no lillies, as well as half a gallon of almond milk.

10. Kanye stipulated that his dressing room carpet must be ironed.

The Mirror claims that Yeezus made the request before performing on 'Later... With Jools Holland' in 2014.

11. Mariah Carey asked for a 100 doves and 20 kittens

The Daily Mail claims that the singer requested that Westfield shopping centre provide 100 doves and 20 kittens for her appearance to turn on their Christmas lights in 2009. While they reportedly managed to source the doves, the kittens could not be arranged due to health and safety issues.

12. Lil Wayne demands a police escort and a presidential suite

The Young Money rapper likes the presidential treatment.

13. Eminem's request? Oh, just a koi carp pond

Is that really necessary now, Marshall Mathers? The rider allegedly dates back to a performance at a festival in Northern Ireland in 2011.

14. DMX just wants Hennessy and THREE BOXES of condoms

He's a man of simple tastes.

15. Jay Z has a full-time cigar rolling assistant on-call

During his 2013 Legends Of Summer Tour with Justin Timberlake, Jay Z reportedly wanted to create a sophisticated “gentleman’s club” vibe backstage. So the hip hop mogul asked that a cigar roller be on standby to roll for him.

16. Rae Sremmurd want supersoakers and a van with a stripper pole. Whatever for?

The Sremm boys full list of requirements are: 2 dozen chicken wings, 2 Spicy Crunch Dorito Tacos from Taco Bell, 2 bottles of Ace of Spades Champagne, 2 bottles of Moet Chandon Champagne, 1 bottle of Hennessy, Small Super Soakers, Beach Balls, $300 in single dollar bills, 15 passenger van equipped with stripper pole for airport transfer and First class tickets on Delta Airlines.

17. Meek Mill likes meat, lots and lots of meat.

Meek is hungry, his requests include: Real jerk chicken, ribs, steak, BBQ chicken, shrimp, Roast turkey, Salmon, Trout, Mahi-Mahi, Snapper, Orange Roughy, Chinese Stirfry, Spaghetti, Lasagna, Linguine, Veal. Phew, that's whole lot of food.

• Girlfriend Undermined Perry
• Oates Hates This Hall & Oates LP
• Best '90s American Rock Bands
• Albums Without Their Title Songs
• Prince’s Sister Recalls Last Talks
• New Pete Townshend Live Box

101 Hilarious Rock Tour Rider Requests

Life on the road as a touring musician can be tough.

Away from the comforts of home for months at a time, it consists of an awful lot of unremarkable hotel rooms, plastic cutlery and less-than-thrilling food. Such is the price a band or musician must pay if they intend to bring their music to as many places as possible.

But just because traveling on tour can be somewhat monotonous doesn't mean it has to be bland or entirely uncomfortable.

Enter the humble tour rider, an addendum in most artists' contracts stipulating their requirements for performing at venues. This can include just about everything that goes on backstage before and after a show: meals, booze, transportation to and from the stage, dressing room amenities, technical equipment, etc.

For the most part, riders list a whole bunch of boring stuff, things like water, coffee, towels, air conditioning and so forth. But there is, of course, plenty of room for personality and preference, and in instances where specificity is important, these documents need to be read very closely.

In the '80s, for example, Van Halen developed something of a reputation for requesting M&M's on their riders, but  without  the brown ones. No exceptions. It turned out that the request had nothing to do with the candy itself, but instead was a test to make sure the promoter was reading the rider carefully.

Below we're taking a look at 101 Rock Tour Rider Requests from some of music's biggest names, noting the most unique requests from each.

More From Ultimate Classic Rock

Celebrity tour riders: The 9 most ridiculous demands

J. Lo prefers all-white decor, Mary J. Blige demands a fresh toilet seat... and M.I.A. would like 3 young women dancing in full-body burqas, thank you

• Newsletter sign up Newsletter

During a 1982 world tour, Van Halen made the now-legendary stipulation that all brown M&Ms be removed from candy dishes in the rockers' dressing rooms. Ever since, fans and critics have made a hobby of perusing celebrities' often outlandish demands — called riders — for what venues must provide them during appearances. This week, "Paper Planes" singer/Super Bowl bird-flipper M.I.A.'s tour rider leaked — and it's a doozy . Buried among requests for Vitamin Water and European cheeses is the demand for "three women between the ages of 20 and 25 to dance on stage wearing full-body burqas." As heads spin from that peculiar request, here's a look back at eight of the most ridiculous items on other celebrity riders:

1. Kanye West

On the same day M.I.A.'s ludicrous request surfaced, a rider leaked from Kanye West's recent visit to Australia. On the list: Imported and recut Versace towels, for starters. "What else would he wipe his brow with during a performance?" says Ray Rahman at Entertainment Weekly . But more unusual is his requirement that any chauffeur who drives him wear only 100 percent cotton clothes. "No man-made fibers."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

2. Britney Spears

Britney demanded a veritable feast when she performed at London's 02 arena last year, requesting that the venue provide her with McDonald's cheeseburgers (no buns), 100 figs and prunes, and — fitting for the location — a fish-and-chips supper. But all that pales in comparison with her strangest dressing room request: A framed photo of Princess Diana. "Britney adores the monarchy," says the U.K.'s Mirror . "Diana was in many ways her inspiration."

3. Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters may have the most "hilarious" backstage rider of all time, says Simon Vozick-Levinson at Rolling Stone . The rockers are known for sneaking jokes into their list of demands, and topped themselves with a cheeky rider for their 2011 world tour. It included a coloring book, activity pages, and maxims for life: "No one likes a straight A student." The funniest page of the document provides an illustrated guide to the kind of catering the band expects. A drawing of a sandwich with a pile of rocks is branded "Lame Entree," while a steak and baked potato sketch is described as an "Awesome Entree."

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox

A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com

4. Mary J. Blige

Thirty-five cities, 35 toilet seats. That's the takeaway from Mary J. Blige's 2006 tour rider, which demanded that each venue install a brand new toilet seat in the dressing room bathroom before she arrived. She also cherishes her privacy. Her request that housekeeping personnel at the hotels she stays at honor her "Do Not Disturb" sign is punctuated by 26 exclamation points.

5. Dustin Diamond

Don't call him Screech. The former Saved by the Bell actor turned reality TV and amateur porn star demands that any event he is booked for refrain from any "Screech-centric" billing. Any venue that violates this stipulation by promoting the event using his ties to Saved by the Bell will be levied with a $100 fine for every offending ad, flyer, or marquee.

6. Katy Perry

Kanye West isn't the only entertainer to have special demands for his driver. For her 2011 U.S. tour, Katy Perry had a 23-point "principle driver policy" that specifically dictated the proper behavior of those tasked with carting her around. One explicit rule, according to the policy, is that drivers must not converse with Perry. The Smoking Gun reports that they "also are directed not to stare at the backseat through the rearview mirror."

7. Justin Bieber

The current prince of pop's tour rider is suitably "squeaky clean," says The Smoking Gun , noting his reasonable requests for fruit platters and herbal teas. Apparently, he also requires his entourage's wardrobe be just as clean, as he also demands four packages of plain white tee shirts and three packages of lo-rise socks — all in various sizes — be stocked in his dressing room.

8. Jennifer Lopez

Just because she was making a charity appearance doesn't mean Jennifer Lopez was going to ease up on her diva demands. While attending a recording session for the African AIDS charity single "What's Going On" in 2002, she submitted her standard tour rider, which demanded a 40-foot trailer furnished all in white from top to bottom — flowers, tablecloths, drapery, couches, candles… everything. "Love don't cost a thing," says Gary Susman at Entertainment Weekly . "But being a diva sure can be expensive."

Speed Read It cited flawed study data and the potential for abuse

By Peter Weber, The Week US Published 5 June 24

Speed Read Hezbollah rocket attacks on Sunday sparked wildfires in northern Israel

Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day

By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published 5 June 24

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Advertise With Us

The Week is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

• The Junkee Takeaway
• About Junkee
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

The Most Ridiculous Rider Requests In Music History

Here are some of the strangest ways our favourite artists stay entertained backstage.

Mastercard Australia has partnered with Westpac to bring you an exclusive VIP music experience.

The next time you’re standing at a concert, waiting for the headliner to hurry up and get onstage, try not to imagine the luxury happening behind the scenes. Once you’ve seen a few artist riders – the list of very detailed demands musicians are renowned for — it’s no surprise that shows don’t start on time. Would you hurry out of a dressing room laden with all your favourite things?

While organic fruit plates and champagne are rider staples, some artists (usually the biggest ones) get outlandish with their requests. These mega-stars might only be in the venue one night, but apparently, it’s fun to make a promoter sweat.

Music history is filled with stories of specific and often ridiculous demands, from M&Ms with the brown ones removed to an air-conditioned running track in the desert. Here are some of the strangest ways our favourite artists stay entertained backstage.

Van Halen’s Legendary No Brown M&Ms Rule

Van Halen’s rider request for M&Ms with all the brown ones removed is probably the best-known tour rider clause in rock history. According to vocalist David Lee Roth, the band’s 1980s arena tour demand wasn’t a case of “simple rock star misdemeanour excess”.

As Roth tells it, the M&Ms clause was a test: if the promoter got that tiny detail right, the band would know its complex technical rider was also followed to the letter.

Photo: Van Halen/ Wikimedia Commons

Everything On Iggy And The Stooges’ 28-Page Rider

Here’s another rock yarn up there with Van Halen’s aversion to brown M&Ms. The Smoking Gun, an unofficial hub for leaked rider requests, called Iggy Pop and The Stooges’ madcap document “the single most entertaining concert rider” they’d ever seen.

The rider, which went through an even wilder revision, was authored by Iggy Pop’s road manager Jos Grain. To inject some life into a usually boring list, Grain added requests for little people dressed as the characters from Walt Disney’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, a copy of USA Today with “a story about morbidly obese people in it”, and other tongue-in-cheek oddities. Grain’s work inspired the Foo Fighters to write their own comedic rider.

Photo: Iggy And The Stooges/ Wikimedia Commons

“Grace Jones Does Her Own Shucking”

There are certainly more ridiculous riders than the one belonging to supreme diva Grace Jones, but one of her requests is straight-up perfection.

Jones published the rider in her 2015 book I’ll Never Write My Memoirs , and it’s an honest snapshot of the superstar lifestyle. In addition to specific bottles of wine and champagne, Jones was fond of requesting two dozen unopened oysters and an oyster knife. As the rider coolly explained, “Grace does her own shucking.” Even more reason to love her.

Photo: Grace Jones/ Wikimedia Commons

Katy Perry’s Carnation Horror

On her 2011 rider, hitmaker Katy Perry voiced very particular flower needs. According to the document published by The Smoking Gun, Perry would abide “white and purple hydrangeas, pink and white roses and peonies” in her dressing room, but “ABSOLUTELY NO CARNATIONS”.

It’s unclear what sparked the singer’s intense hostility, but we hope those backstage decorators took note.

Photo: Katy Perry/Flickr

Kanye’s Boozy Slushie Machines

If there’s anyone you’d expect to have a mind-boggling rider, it’s Kanye West. Surprisingly, though, the rap firebrand keeps his requests (relatively) low-key.

On 2016’s Saint Pablo tour, Kanye did slip in one slightly ridiculous but mostly inspired requirement at each show: alcoholic slushie machines. And not just any old flavours, either. ‘Ye needed frozen Hennessy and Coke and frozen Grey Goose and Lemonade. That’s how you look after your backstage guests.

Photo: Kanye West/ Wikimedia Commons

Steve Aoki’s Inflatable Boat

Back in 2012, Steve Aoki’s rider leaked online, with highlights including a director’s chair in view of the stage, two security guards to escort him to the signing booth and six pairs of men’s underwear. The rider also included items most DJs don’t need, like an inflatable boat for riding the crowd and two cakes with “soft icing” to throw at fans.

Naturally, the internet had a lot of fun picking apart Aoki’s needs. The EDM showman responded with good humour, writing on his blog: “Two bottles of Cristal is definitely a ballin’ move. Do I need it? No, but if I can get it… sweet!”

Photo: Steve Aoki/ Wikimedia Commons

Mariah Carey’s All-over Drapes

You’d be disappointed if Mariah Carey had a dull rider, right? The singer has been rumoured to request 20 white kittens and 100 white doves and vitamin water for her dogs, but her leaked 2010 rider doesn’t quite go that far.

The official document still has some fun quirks, like drapes around the perimeter of every room and exactly eight tall, leafy plants. Once upon a time Mariah also requested bendy straws for drinking champagne, which is ridiculous but also pretty great.

Photo: Mariah Carey/ Flickr

Madonna’s Diva Demands

You don’t earn the title of Queen of Pop without making some royal demands. Madonna’s infamous riders have (allegedly) included a brand-new toilet seat at every venue, white and pink roses with their stems cut to exactly six inches and, weirdest of all, 20 international phone lines in her dressing room. She’s also said to tour with a huge entourage that needs looking after.

Does Madonna still have that kind of clout? Doubtful, but it’s fun to imagine setting up 20 phone lines in the age of Skype.

Photo: Madonna/ Wikimedia Commons

Mick Jagger’s Air-Conditioned Running Track

One of the most audacious rider requests in recent memory was quietly revealed in a New Yorker profile on Coachella mastermind Paul Tollett.

In 2016, Tollett also staged the inaugural Desert Trip festival at Coachella’s home in Indio, California, securing rock gods The Rolling Stones as a headliner. (Not the headliner, mind you: the band shared equal billing with Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Roger Waters and The Who.)

According to the New Yorker , each act was allocated an acre of land backstage for friends and family, with The Stones’ area including a 36-metre-long air-conditioned running track for frontman Mick Jagger. With logistics that complex, it’s no wonder Desert Trip didn’t return in 2017.

Photo: The Rolling Stones/ Wikimedia Commons

Mastercard Australia has partnered with Westpac to bring you the best music festival experience of 2018. Go to  facebook.com/mastercardau  to tell us your rider request for a chance to win a VIP experience at Curve Ball 2018. You must be a Westpac Debit Mastercard holder to win. Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.

• Foo Fighters
• Mariah Carey

The 5 Most Outrageous Tour Riders in Music History

by Thom Donovan November 14, 2023, 4:15 pm

No brown M&Ms for Van Halen! Misinterpreted as excess, the band was really testing promoters’ attention to detail. If the M&Ms aren’t right, imagine what else has been overlooked!

Videos by American Songwriter

Some of the artists below may take themselves a little too seriously. Other artists poke fun at the absurdity of being allowed such requests. To be fair, life on the road, even for the biggest stars, is grueling work. In an effort to keep them sane, and maintain a high level of performance, a tour rider is an attempt to make the artist more comfortable. High-level touring is a massive operation, and there are many places where things can go catastrophically wrong. Why not at least control what you can control and make sure Kenny G’s flower arrangement features his requested “Japanese flair?”

Acknowledging the above, sometimes an overcorrection can happen. Below is a look at the five most outrageous tour riders in music history. 

1. Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey’s backstage area resembles a small apartment. Her rider requests the door open to a living room space, not the dressing room. All rooms should be draped and the couch must not contain busy patterns. Set room temperature to 75 degrees.

The food and drink requirements are not outrageous—FIJI still water, S. Pellegrino sparkling water, fried chicken, red and white wine. But the four Joe Malone vanilla candles are pretty…specific. And don’t forget the two vases (pronounced “VOZ-es.” Not that Mariah cares how you pronounce it, we’re just sayin’) of white roses. The Coke and Gatorade sugary drinks contradict the sugarless gum requirement. And small bottles of room temperature water, lemons, and honey also make sense—they are necessary accommodations for any touring singer. 

[RELATED: Mariah Carey Wants to Patent Title ‘Queen of Christmas,’ Others Say ‘No’]

2. Kanye West

Ye’s rider is just evidence of a man taking care of himself, y’know? Requests include a barber’s chair, anti-dandruff shampoo, Carmex lip balm, and moisturizer. A slushie machine will be needed backstage, of course. And Ye’s driver must wear 100% cotton clothing.

One box of toothpicks is needed along with one bottle of hot sauce. Oh, and the bowl of Sunkist Salted Pistachio Nuts mustn’t contain red coloring. A “tub” of plain yogurt for dipping shall be provided, though it’s not clear what items will be dipped. But what is clear is that Ye will also require some liquor. The liquor demands are: One 750 ml bottle of Hennessey Cognac, one 750 ml bottle of SKYY Vodka or Absolut Vodka, one bottle of Patrón Silver Tequila, and four six-packs of Heineken beer. 

The “Umbrella” singer has just a few demands on her tour rider. Ambiance and comfort is crucial. Rihanna asks for the backstage area to be decorated using blue or black drapes layered with “icy-blue chiffon.” The candle requests are very specific: Six Archipelago Black Forest candles. If it’s not possible to find these candles, the promotor must contact the team “ASAP as we have a second choice of candle for Ri.”

Rihanna needs a large cheetah or leopard print rug to walk on. Please clean the rug because she will be walking barefoot on it. Adequate lighting is required for a “relaxed atmosphere.” White drapes will be used to cover lockers and/or brick backstage. And finally, a humidifier and four small, clear, square vases (weird—Rihanna says to call them “VACE-es.” Don’t shoot the messenger) with white tulips is needed in the dressing room. Oh yes, please: no foliage. If white tulips cannot be found, white “Casa Blanca” lilies will do in a pinch. Again, no foliage. 

4. Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop delivers his tour rider in Jack Kerouac-like stream of consciousness form. Backline amp requirements demand quality gear. Otherwise, “we’ll all end up as wormlike web-based life forms in the bass player’s online literary diarrhea.” For instrument cable length, the rider politely explains to “American brethren” the conversion of meters to inches. A plaque must be included with the bass drum pedal stating “William Shakespeare slept here for six months in 1586.”

Heavy duty cooling fans need to be placed on stage so Iggy can wear a scarf and “pretend to be in a Bon Jovi video.” The band does not travel with a monitor engineer because, “In the future robots will work for us and make the world a better place.” Also, the monitor man cannot be afraid to die. There’s a request for the tour manager to receive pins showing the countries he’s visited. The rider’s author concludes by writing, “I feel all nerdy just typing it.”

5. Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters’ 2008 tour rider is something special. Acknowledging how ridiculous tour riders have become, the Foos went all-in on rockstar requirements. The band asks for unopened boxes of cereal and implores promotors not to recycle cereal from “last night’s Dio show.” Every lunch should include a vegetarian soup of the day because “meaty soups make roadies fart.”

The band threatens the promotor with a wedgie if they receive new but unwashed bath towels. Manly-scented candles are requested. Tubs of clean ice are needed in the band’s dressing room 90 minutes before the show. The rider explains further, “If you have McDonald’s, Best Buy, and porno, then you gotta have ice.” The Foo Fighters advise the promotor to shoplift from IKEA if need be “to make the dressing room comfy and sexy.” And in case you were thinking Dave Grohl was trying to get “The Best of You,” all excess food must be donated to a local soup kitchen. 

Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Qatar Airways

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Only members can comment. Become a member . Already a member? Log In .

Brian Setzer Announces New Dates for Rockabilly Riot Tour for February and March 2024

© 2024 American Songwriter

Sympathy for the Devils: 8 of the Wildest Tour Stories in Rock Music History

By tobias wartime | aug 26, 2022.

Life on the road as a rock star can get weird, especially when you throw large amounts of money and partying into the mix. Many famous rock stars—including Ozzy Osbourne, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, and others—could even be considered lucky to come away relatively unscathed, given the amount of on- and offstage brawls (and assorted hijinks) they got up to along the way. Below are eight of the wildest and most bizarre tour stories in the history of rock music.

1. Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a live bat while onstage.

While onstage during a performance in Des Moines, Iowa on January 20, 1982, Ozzy Osbourne reportedly bit the head off a bat that someone in the audience threw on stage. Osbourne believed it was made of rubber, so he picked it up and sank his teeth in—but as it turned out, the bat was indeed the real deal.

“Immediately, though, something felt wrong. Very wrong,” Osbourne wrote in his memoir, I Am Ozzy . “For a start, my mouth was instantly full of this warm, gloopy liquid, with the worst aftertaste you could ever imagine. I could feel it staining my teeth and running down my chin. Then the head in my mouth twitched. Oh f**k me, I thought. I didn’t just go and eat a f**king bat, did I?”

Osbourne was later rushed to the emergency room where a doctor confirmed that the bat had been real after all and the rockstar had potentially been exposed to rabies . For the rest of the tour, Osbourne had to get a series of injections from doctors as a precautionary treatment against virus.

2. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who got into a fight with a plainclothes police officer.

During The Who’s U.S. tour at Fillmore East in New York City in May 1969, a plainclothes police officer reportedly jumped onstage . He rushed the British rock band and tried to wrestle the microphone away from singer Roger Daltrey to warn them about heavy smoke wafting through from a fire next door.

But Daltrey didn’t see the smoke—nor did he realize the man was actually part of law enforcement. He started to fight him, and then guitarist Pete Townshend joined in the melee.

“There was a warrant out for Pete’s and my arrest because we kicked a cop off the stage,” Daltrey, told AOL (via Yahoo! ) in 2018. “He was in plain clothes. He ran on the stage while we were in the middle of ‘Tommy’ and took my microphone away. Pete came and kicked him up the ass.”

Luckily for both, the charges were eventually dropped.

3. Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle through hotel hallways.

Circa 1968 , Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham reportedly rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle—a gift he received from the band for his 25th birthday —through the halls and lobby of Los Angeles’s legendary Chateau Marmont , which ruined the hotel’s carpet with tire marks. He repeated the stunt again at the Continental Hyatt House Hotel and the Andaz West Hollywood. Meanwhile, Robert Plant is believed to have shouted out his infamous, “I am a golden god!” line (later recreated in Almost Famous ) from one of those hotel balconies while Bonham went full hog inside.

4. Ozzy Osbourne took Mötley Crüe “under his wing.”

The bat incident wasn’t Ozzy’s first brush with controversy while on the road; in 1984, he found himself in a peculiar competition with Mötley Crüe ’s bassist Nikki Sixx, while both acts were on tour together. 

According to the hair metal band’s 2001 autobiography, The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band , Osbourne snorted a line of ants from the pavement, urinated on the ground, and started to lap it up. He then challenged Sixx to do the same, but the bassist soon learned that it’s not easy going toe-to-toe with the Prince of Darkness. 

“We were a wild young band and he kind of took us under his wing,” Sixx told Page Six in 2019. “We thought we could compete with that, but you can’t with Ozzy. He won.”

While Sixx claims it’s all true, former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee has maintained that some of the antics described weren’t exactly accurate—namely, that Osbourne never snorted a line of ants. “I was there, and I never saw ants,” Jake E. Lee told Tone-Talk . “I was right there ... Ozzy snorted a little tiny stupid spider that was crawling across. There was no ants.”

5. Keith Richards almost burnt down the Playboy Mansion.

In 1972, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and saxophonist Bobby Keys reportedly set fire to the original Playboy Mansion in Chicago while the pair were up to some party-related hijinks.

“We managed to set a bathroom on fire in the Playboy Mansion. We didn’t notice the curtains had caught fire while we were sitting around on the john smoking,” Richards told NPR in 2015. Fortunately, the structure remained intact and was even put up for sale in 2018 for a cool $3.7 million.

6. Liam Gallagher of Oasis lost teeth during a huge brawl in Germany.

In 2002, Oasis was on tour in Germany when three of the band’s members, including lead singer Liam Gallagher, got into a serious brawl at the Bayerischer Hof nightclub in Munich.

According to reports, 80 police officers were called in to keep the peace and break up the melee, and Gallagher lost several of his teeth during the altercation, which resulted in the arrests of five people (including Gallagher and two other members of Oasis), a €50,000 fine, and the cancellation of two tour dates in Germany.

In 2018, Liam Gallagher told The Guardian , “I remember we were sitting at a table under a balcony, and our security guard just grabs us by the neck, drags us over the f**king table, and the next minute, there’s a geezer on the balcony drops a f**king glass table on our heads, but the security’s got us out of the way, or it could have f**king killed us. And then it went off, man.”

7. Van Halen’s infamous brown M&M clause in their tour rider.

During Van Halen’s 1982 tour, the rock band added a small (yet soon to be notorious) detail to their tour rider contract —the band wanted M&M’s but with a disclaimer: “WARNING: ABSOLUTELY NO BROWN ONES.”

While the seemingly random rider has definitely elicited some chuckles over the years, it actually was less bizarre than it seems. For the band, it served as a test to make sure each concert venue thoroughly read through the document and followed each technical specification included.

“There was so much equipment, and so many human beings to make it function,” lead singer David Lee Roth explained in his memoir, Crazy From the Heat . “When I would walk backstage, if I saw a brown M&M in that bowl ... Well, line-check the entire production. Guaranteed you’re going to arrive at a technical error. They didn’t read the contract. Guaranteed you’d run into a problem.”

If the band saw brown M&M’s backstage, they’d get upset because they knew the concert promoters likely hadn’t read the entire contract and therefore couldn’t guarantee their show would go safely and smoothly. In one instance, Roth trashed his dressing room because he found brown M&M candies backstage.

8. Coheed and Cambria’s Michael Todd was arrested for armed robbery at a concert venue.

While on tour in 2011, Coheed and Cambria’s then bassist Michael Todd reportedly walked into a Walgreens and showed a pharmacist a text on his phone, which claimed that he had a bomb and would blow up the drugstore unless he was given OxyContin. Todd then left the store with six bottles of painkillers, hailed a taxi, and went back to the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts to play the show.

However, police tracked him down and arrested him for armed robbery and possession of a class B controlled substance.

“Todd was arrested today on what we consider very serious charges and therefore he will not be finishing up the current tour,” the band later wrote on their website, following the incident. “We are surprised, to say the least, and will address the situation with Michael after the tour.”

Todd was later sentenced to one year of home confinement and three years probation after pleading guilty to charges. Meanwhile, touring keyboardist Wes Styles took over on bass for the rest of the tour.

The Weirdest Food & Drinks on Celebrity Tour Riders

The most appealing part of being a celebrity -- aside from the money, fame, sex, private jet rides, not going to jail for egregious crimes, and the ability to own dozens of mini-horses -- is definitely being able to make a rider.

For the filthy, uninitiated bourgeois, a tour rider is a list of demands and expectations given to a venue before the arrival of a star. Specifications may be made for travel, stage set-up, backstage dressing rooms, and, of course, food and drink preferences. This means celebs can request homemade banana bread, NO CITRUS FRUIT, or even a full, heavily seasoned chicken (all real, actual demands on this list) every time they make an appearance.

Why do we cater to celebrities' fickle predilections? Because they are the equivalent of modern-day sun gods, and we need to appease them. Look, six packs of Lunchables are way cheaper than building a pyramid.

In order to perform to the best of his abilities, the world's greatest mediocre dancer requires " assorted soups ,"  a bottle of honey ,   and an array of vitaminwater , among other things. The rider very specifically prohibits any pork products in the assorted soups (Drake is half Jewish, l'chaim!) and requires exactly one bottle of pinot grigio  -- which is pretty much the most Drake thing ever. I'm assuming he brings his own tissues.   

Jack White is a profoundly weird dude -- and this is coming from a fan. Case in point: his rider requires homemade guacamole . And not just any homemade guac, it actually lists a specific, nuanced recipe to be made in advance of Mr. White's arrival, with instructions like " ...careful not to mush the avocados too much. We want it chunky. "

Robin Williams

Robin Williams had some very specific, mayo-based tastes. He needed " large bowls " of the following: egg salad , pasta salad, and Chinese chicken salad . Williams also specifically stated he needed " fresh  homemade soup, (No SYSCO ) ." I don't envy the concert-venue employee who had to slave over a Bunsen burner backstage.  

Taylor Swift

If Princess Swift is to arrive at a venue before 11am, the venue is required to provide the following:  three boxes of Kraft mac and cheese , one stick of butter , one Grande ICED caramel latte w/ two Sweet'N Lows , one Grande ICED Americano w/ two Sweet'N Lows with soy milk ,   and one  slice pumpkin loaf .   Which confirms my suspicion that she does say "Starbucks lovers," in that song I don’t like.

In Beyonce's dressing room -- heated to the exact temperature of 78 degrees, mind you -- there must be a " juicy baked chicken " waiting for her. This chicken must be " HEAVILY SEASONED " with fresh garlic , season salt , black pepper , and  cayenne . She also specifically needs Aquafina water , and " all necessary condiments ," which begs the question: what condiments are necessary in the first place?  

Pre-show, Adele sets fire to her vocal chords with " very best quality red wine "   (which is literally the opposite of what I ask the liquor store guy for) and a pack of Marlboros .   In very bold letters, she specifies " NO CITRUS FRUIT ," probably because it could damage her throat. But then again, so will a pack of Marlboros.  

Beyonce's husband, who apparently is also some kind of musician himself, has a fairly simple tour rider, with only one idiosyncratic request: HOV needs  peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before he goes out on stage. I'm fairly certain "Hard Knock Life" is an ode to the days before he heard of " chunky-style ," which accounted for approximately 98 of his problems back then. 

Bill and Hillary Clinton

The former president/future first man and the future president/former first lady have refined tastes. Included in the lengthy requirements for dinner and lunch preparations, are dishes like stuffed Cho Cho , boiled pumpkin , homemade banana bread , grilled snapper with tropical salsa , pumpkin soup , and Taclie's homemade rum pie . Finally, the truth about the Clintons' relationship is out there: they are bonded by a mutual love of pumpkin.   

Perhaps the most notorious tour rider demand of all time, Van Halen's supposed distaste for brown M&M's looms so large, the urban legend-busting website Snopes had to get involved. Here's the truth: David Lee Roth and crew DID have a clause in their rider requesting a large bowl of M&M's , with the requirement that all brown ones be removed . They even caused $80,000 worth of damage when their candy demands weren't met. Talk about an "Eruption," amiright?

Katy Perry probably has the most elaborate and therefor annoying rider on this entire list -- which isn't too surprising. Queen Katy's list of culinary needs aren't that strange alone, it's the sheer number of requests in her six-page (!) rider  that sets her apart. Her needs include two bottles of pinot grigio , frozen strawberries , a bowl of whole fresh organic grown fruit , a plate of fresh-cut crudités (to include cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, snap peas, celery) w/ ranch dip , and the life blood of four virgins .   OK, I made that last one up.   

Apparently, the only thing Kanye loves more than himself is delicious, nutritious yogurt, as he calls for both " four small Yoplait yogurts ," as well as " one tub plain yogurt (for dipping) ." What is Yeezy dipping in this tub o' 'gurt? It's unclear, but he does require two packs of gum , and  one bowl of Sunkist salted pistachio nuts (no red coloring) .   Which answers nothing.

George Carlin

(Un)surprisingly, there were no requests for "Blue Food" on Carlin's rider. There was, however, a bold warning for those picking up the milk: 2% low-fat was UNACCEPTABLE . Carlin also required enough celery and carrots to equal one large salad , stating that DIP IS NOT REQUIRED . Grab two cold, skinless chicken breasts and wash it all down with a six-pack of non-alcoholic O'Doul's , and you'll be dining like the one of the greatest comedians of all time.

Eminem might seem a little prickly on the surface. I mean, he did write a five-minute-song about killing his wife in front of his 2-year-old daughter. But how mean can someone be if they require six packs of LUNCHABLES backstage at their shows? Slim is relatively low maintenance. He does have one water stipulation though: exactly 48 bottles , NO EVIAN . This is a man who knows precisely how thirsty he will be, on any given night. I can respect that.

Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun.

Wil Fulton is a staff writer for Thrillist. His tour rider would request one thing and one thing only: cherry-flavored Pez, no dispenser necessary. Follow him: @wilfulton .

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Taylor Swift’s Eras tour is one of the weirdest in history – here are 9 bizarre things that actually happened

Share this with

Is Taylor Swift haunted? Some fans believe so after spotting an eerie shadowy figure at her Madrid show.

The Cruel Summer singer, 34, is currently taking her mammoth Eras Tour across the globe, making a stop in the UK from today with 15 dates at four of the biggest stadiums.

The tour – which boasts an extensive three-and-a-half-hour show at each date from the pop songstress – has seen plenty of bizarre moments, from storms threatening to shut shows down to Taylor accidentally swallowing a bug onstage and Taylor Lautner’s impressive backflip .

And with it kicking off at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium tonight, there’s sure to be plenty more weird and wonderful antics instore for UK fans – hopefully not any more earthquakes .

Here are some of the shenanigans we’ve seen on the Eras Tour so far, from a surprise relationship or two to a venue controversy that went wild online.

A mysterious figure appearing at her Madrid show

The tour appears to have taken a sinister turn with fans speculating a spectre was present at the last of her shows at Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu – or possibly a scorned ex.

Multiple Swifties spotted a mysterious shadowed figure watching the show from an area inaccessible to the general audience, leaving many on social media speculating who it could have been.

Some jokingly suggested the mystery attendee was Kanye West , with who Taylor has had a longstanding feud after he interrupted her speech at the MTV VMAs after winning the best female video award.

Others suggested it could be her ex Joe Alwyn , with the couple splitting in 2023 and their break-up providing inspiration for her latest album, The Tortured Poet’s Department .

Scooter Braun was also among the suggested identities following his and Taylor’s widely-publicised dispute over the master files of the songs she produced with him under his company Big Machine Records.

‘That was billie eilish who couldn’t afford the ticket,’ X user Lustforlifestan cheekily jabbed, while Whiteh0tpeppers theorised: ‘Knowing Taylor Swift, she’s probably behind this and she’s teasing something.’

Taylor’s boyfriend Travis Kelce was thought by some to be the mystery figure, while others thought it had a more supernatural origin.

Lovingcmila may have solved the mystery, writing: ‘It was literally a security man, i was near to that section and he was standing there and checking on us all the time.’

UK fans will surely be keeping their eyes peeled for more strange sightings as the Lover songstress kicks of her latest stretch of the Eras Tour at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium.

It will kick off in  Edinburgh , where the megastar will take to the stage for three concerts over the weekend.

Taylor accidentally swallowing a bug

Bug-gate had Swifties in a chokehold after the singer accidentally swallowed an insect onstage in Chicago.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

During the Evermore portion of her epic set, the star was snapped by fan  Catalina Garcia H  recoiling in horror before explaining her reaction by revealing she had eaten an insect.

‘I swallowed a bug, I’m so sorry,’ she laughed, while visibly cringing onstage.

‘Delicious,’ she joked, as the crowd roared with laughter while she tried to Shake It Off by repeatedly saying ‘it’s fine’ and ‘it’s just so stupid’ while attempting to spit out the bug.

‘Is there any chance none of you saw that?’ she asked the audience, before coughing a little more and admitting she swallowed the creepy crawly.

‘This is gonna happen again tonight,’ Taylor predicted. ‘There’s so many bugs. There’s 1,000 of them.’

The janitor cart theory actually being confirmed

A wild Taylor theory that she arrives backstage in a janitor’s cart was actually confirmed sending her fans into a frenzy.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3aU6XCPq23/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=b7529807-01ae-4804-a82d-2e28beebd8c0

Since the Eras Tour began, fans have been wondering how the singer secretly managed to slip backstage, with many suggesting she used a cleaning cart to enter venues incognito.

Well, this bizarre piece of trivia was confirmed in multiple social media posts as fans spotted the pop icon laying low in a caretaker’s cart while being pushed backstage.

Many implied that this seems to confirm the long-held theory among Swifties that Taylor is carried around in a suitcase – yes, really.

This began when a photo agency released a picture of several men carrying an enormous suitcase, which the agency said contained Taylor.

There has been no confirmation from Taylor that she was, in fact, in the suitcase, but many believe that it’s simply too bizarre to be false.

A couple got married in one of her crowds

There have been plenty of proposals during the Eras Tour, but one couple actually exchanged rings instead of friendship bracelets in the crowd.

@rene_hurtado Just Married 🥹 Story time coming soon! We are so tired from the excitement and are enjoying this time! @taylorswift @taylornation #glendaletstheerastour ♬ original sound – René Hurtado

René Hurtado and Max Bochman got married at Taylor’s Glendale, Arizona concert with the video of the nuptials instantly going viral on Tiktok.

How many couples can say Taylor Swift sang at their wedding?

‘I thought that was a good idea,’ René told Today . ‘I felt like, why not?’

She continued: ‘I died because I’m walking down the aisle to Invisible String and it was just so perfect.’

Storms of biblical proportions threatening shows

It wasn’t going to be sunny at every show – but some crowds had it worse than others with one of Taylor’s Sydney dates being battered by storms.

In a post on X, Accor Stadium informed fans ahead of the show that start times had been delayed ‘due to  weather .’

It continued: ‘Stay undercover until further notice and follow venue screens and staff instructions.

‘Stay safe and remember to be kind to those around you.’

After around 80,000 fans piled into the venue ready to exchange friendship bracelets and dance the night away, at around 6pm – as Sabrina was due to begin her set at 6.20pm – those sitting on the floor and lower levels of the stadium were evacuated after lightning struck just 10 kilometres away.

After staff members rushed to mop up the water flooding the venue, fans returned to the venue ready for the show to get underway, but the  Sydney Herald  reported that support act Sabrina Carpenter would not be performing.

A baby was left on the floor in Paris

Swifties were left enraged after a baby was pictured lying on the floor of one of the star’s Paris shows.

After Paris’ La Defense arena revamp had fans in a frenzy, this quickly turned to shock and horror over spotting a very small attendee in the crowd.

In a picture posted to X, a baby was seen placed on the ground of the venue surrounded by a blanket and Swift merch.

The tot was thankfully wearing ear defenders in the sold-out crowd, but many fans aired their concern that they were lying down and could go unnoticed among the 45,000 screaming fans at the show.

A spokesperson for the La Défense Arena told Page Six that the ‘general terms and conditions of sale stipulate that all minors (without any age limit) holding a ticket for a concert at Paris La Défense arena must be accompanied by an adult.

‘Under 18 children remain under their legal guardian responsibility, it’s venue policy. For spectators with a young child in the floor, an alternative seating arrangement has been proposed but refused by ticket holders.’

There is technically nothing prohibiting a parent from bringing their baby along, although the website notes it’s unwise for those under four.

Keith Urban accidentally outing Bo Burnham and Phoebe Bridger’s rumoured relationship

There have been plenty of celebrity guests at the Eras tour, from Selena Gomez to Emma Stone, Shania Twain, and Emma Watson.

During Taylor’s Philadelphia show, Keith Urban and his wife Nicole Kidman were dancing along to the songs – and accidentally caught Bo Burnham and Phoebe Bridgers kissing in the background of a video.

@keithurban we love ya @Taylor Swift 🫶 #erastour ♬ Style – Taylor Swift

After posting the clip to social media, Keith apologies for accidentally hard-launching the couple’s romance, admitting that he felt ‘awkward.’

‘Phoebe, I’m so sorry,’ he told Entertainment Tonight. ‘It felt very awkward. I felt bad. I was just digging on the concert! You never know what’s gonna happen.’

Phoebe had been linked to Bo since 2022 following her breakup with Paul Mescal.

Comedian Bo previously dated Lorene Scafaria for more than a decade until they reportedly split in 2022.

Taylor-ception

Among the celebrity guests on the Eras Tour was Taylor’s ex-boyfriend Taylor Lautner , who joined her onstage at her Kansas City show.

There was clearly no Bad Blood between the former couple, despite Taylor  re-releasing Speak Now , which is thought to  include songs about their romance .

Taylor (Lautner) even showered his former girlfriend with praise, telling the audience: ‘I just wanna say one thing quick – I respect you so much, not for the singer you are, the songwriter, the performer, but truly for the human you are.’

And there was another Taylor in the mix as Twitter users had also captured Taylor’s wife Taylor at Taylor’s concert.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CubKYv6AkRu/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=efc0d2df-2aff-43fb-87c8-043bc21d3664

Taylor (Lautner)  married Taylor (Dome) , who is a nurse-turned-influencer, in 2022. In the tale of three Taylors, the trio hung out backstage with Taylor (Lautner) posting on Instagram a picture of them recreating the iconic Spiderman meme.

Travis Kelce shooting his shot – and succeeding

After announcing her split from Joe, fans were quick to speculate who Taylor’s next partner would be.

She was rumoured to be dating The 1975 singer Matty Healy during the Eras Tour, but has since confirmed her relationship with American football legend Travis Kelce .

In fact, it was this very tour that brought the adorable couple together as he attempted to give Taylor his mobile number via a friendship bracelet. He really knows his Swiftie lore.

In a new episode of his New Heights  podcast , the athlete opened up about trying to meet the Grammy-winner backstage, but it didn’t quite go to plan.

‘I was disappointed that she doesn’t talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings,’  he told his brother, Jason Kelce .

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvKYmMqgLSk/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=b8205ac0-fbfb-42a2-8800-0588f433d23d

‘I was a little butthurt that I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her.

‘If you’re up on Taylor Swift concerts, there are friendship bracelets, and I received a bunch of them being there, but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it.’

When asked to clarify if he meant his jersey number or his phone number, Travis coyly replied: ‘You know… She doesn’t meet anybody, or at least she didn’t want to meet me, so I took it personal.’

However, their Love Story had a happy ending with his mentioning her on the podcast prompting the two to hang out, and eventually a romance blossomed .

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Going to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Edinburgh? All you need to know about her Murrayfield Stadium dates

MORE : There’s been a surge in demand for friendship bracelets and these are our favourite styles

MORE : Hollywood star forced to end stand-up set early after transphobic and anti-vax jokes

Get us in your feed

Tour de France 2024 Rider Power Rankings

Less than a month out from the start of the men’s Tour de France, we ranked the top yellow jersey threats in the peloton.

This is the latest edition of Bicycling’ s Power Rankings for the 2024 Men’s Tour de France, where we rank the top contenders leading up to July’s race. This continuously updated list will give you an in-depth look at the riders that have the best shot to stand atop the podium at the end of the Tour—and how they’re performing in the races leading up to July.

These rankings will be constantly refreshed, so you can see who’s up and who’s down on the road to the 2024 Tour de France.

The 2024 Tour de France was expected to bring together the sport’s four best grand tour riders: Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), winner of the last two Tours de France; Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), winner of the 2020 and 2021 Tours de France and the recent Giro d’Italia; Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step), winner of the 2022 Vuelta a España; and Slovenia’s Primož Roglič (BORA-hansgrohe), a 3-time winner of the Vuelta and the champion at last year’s Giro d’Italia.

Each rider was taking a different route to the Tour de France, with each choosing to mix race days with extended periods of time spent at training camps. And while some of their paths crossed at select races throughout the first few months of the season, they weren’t expected to all race together until the Tour. For fans, it was a dream scenario.

But the dream became a nightmare in early-April after a scary, high-speed crash during Stage 4 of Spain’s Tour of the Basque Country took down several riders, including Vingegaard, Roglič, and Evenepoel. Two of them–Vingegaard and Evenepoel–suffered serious injuries, and all of them had their Tour preparations interrupted.

That was almost eight weeks ago, and they’re all back on their bikes and training again. But with the Tour de France beginning in Florence, Italy just four weeks from Saturday, one big question still remains: Will Vingegaard–who suffered the worst injuries of the three–be on the starting line, and if he is will he have the form he needs to defend his title? This storyline is the one we’ll be watching the most in the month leading up to the start of the Tour, but it’s not the only one.

We’re also excited to see if Pogačar can become the first rider since 1998 to win the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in the same season (spoiler alert: we think he can). And last but definitely not least, we’re eager to learn which other contenders–if any–will be ready to challenge him.

So with four weeks left before the Tour’s “Grand Depart,” here’s our latest–and perhaps most optimistic–Tour de France contender Power Ranking.

Tadej Pogačar

.css-1f6aja5{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;background-color:#ffffff;border:0;border-bottom:none;border-top:0.0625rem solid #e8e8e8;color:#000;cursor:pointer;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;padding-bottom:0.3125rem;padding-top:0.3125rem;scroll-margin-top:0rem;text-align:left;width:100%;}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1f6aja5{scroll-margin-top:3.375rem;}} .css-jtmji2{border-radius:50%;width:1.875rem;border:thin solid #6f6f6f;height:1.875rem;padding:0.4rem;margin-right:0.625rem;} .css-jlx6sx{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;width:0.9375rem;height:0.9375rem;margin-right:0.625rem;-webkit-transform:rotate(90deg);-moz-transform:rotate(90deg);-ms-transform:rotate(90deg);transform:rotate(90deg);-webkit-transition:-webkit-transform 250ms ease-in-out;transition:transform 250ms ease-in-out;} read the complete analysis.

Previous Ranking : 1

Race Days : 31

Race Wins : 14

Best Result : 1st-place, General Classification - Giro d’Italia

Next Race: Tour de France, June 29-July 21

With about four weeks until the start of the Tour de France, there are still no questions about who the Tour’s top contender is. Pogačar just wrapped-up a three-week training camp in Italy. You may have heard it–it’s called the Giro d’Italia.

We’re kidding, right? Well, not really. Pog absolutely dominated the Italian grand tour, winning the maglia rosa by almost ten minutes over the next-closest rider on the Giro’s General Classification. Along the way he won six stages–finished second or third on three more–and won the Giro’s King of the Mountains prize. But more importantly, he finished the race healthy and reasonably fresh for a rider who just won a three-week grand tour. 

He only crashed once–near the end of Stage 2 when he flatted and his front wheel slipped out from him. It was a minor fall, and Pogačar quickly quickly got back on his bike and promptly won the stage. Otherwise, he escaped the race injury-free.

He also stayed healthy, which–considering the terrible weather that the race encountered at the beginning of the third week–was another blessing for the Slovenian. Staying safe and healthy during a three-week is often a greater challenge than overcoming the competition, and Pog came through that battle unscathed. 

And speaking of the competition, between a relatively gentle course and a rather weak (sorry, guys) start list, Pogačar was never really pushed to defend his lead. With the exception of the Giro’s two individual time trials, he basically won the race with a series of quick, uphill accelerations that no one else could follow. Then he simply rode a steady tempo to the finish line, extending his advantage as he pedaled. 

Pogačar’s near-perfect Giro–plus the fact that he raced minimally in the months before it–means that he probably ended the Giro stronger than he was when he started it. That’s bad news for the men he’ll be racing against at the Tour de France. 

With the Giro behind him, Pogačar will rest for a week and then head to a ski station in the French Alps for nineteen days of altitude training. He won’t race before the Tour de France, but with a grand tour in his legs, he doesn’t need to. 

At this rate, we’ll be eating some humble pie in late-July. At the beginning of the season, we didn’t have much faith in his chances of winning the Giro and the Tour in the same season. But given the way things are shaping up, now we’ll be more surprised if he doesn’t. 

Primož Roglič

Read the complete analysis.

Previous Ranking : 2

Race Days : 11

Race Wins : 1

Best Result : 1st-place, Stage 1 - Tour of the Basque Country

Next Race : Critérium du Dauphiné, June 2-10

Roglič also went down in the crash that took out Vingegaard and Evenepoel, and like the other two, he abandoned the race immediately. But after a series of medical examinations, BORA-hansgrohe reported that the 34-year-old suffered no major injuries. Compared to the others, the Slovenian dodged bullet.

He was initially expected to take part in Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège last week, but the team changed plans to give him extra time to heal. That was a good call, as the weather in the Belgian Ardennes was atrocious that week, and the risk of getting sick or worse–another crash–just wasn’t worth it. In fact, he probably made more gains by training than he would have by racing. 

The Slovenian spent the past five weeks training–which was always the plan–and now he’s heading to the Critérium du Dauphiné–which starts this Sunday–for his last big test before the Tour de France.

The Dauphiné is essentially an 8-day mini-Tour de France with several stages that mimic key stages from the upcoming Tour. It’s also early enough in the month that riders have time for one more small block of training before the start of the Tour. That makes it a popular dress rehearsal for Tour contenders, and Roglič will be going head-to-head with several of his rivals. And it’s a race he knows well: he won it in 2022. 

That’s why anything worse than a top-5 finish would be bad news for the Slovenian. He doesn’t need to win it; after all, the Dauphiné ends four weeks before the start of the Tour, and he needs to be at his best in July not June. 

But a poor performance against many of the men he’ll be racing against at the Tour will raise some eyebrows, putting even more pressure on a 34-year-old rider who might be staring down his last reasonable chance to win the Tour de France. 

Remco Evenepoel

Previous Ranking : 3

Race Days : 17

Race Wins : 4

Best Result : 2nd place, General Classification - Paris-Nice

Another victim of the crash at the Tour of the Basque Country, Evenepoel broke his right clavicle and scapula in Spain and had surgery a few days later in Belgium to address the broken collarbone. The injury meant the Belgian missed a chance to become only the fourth rider to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège three years in a row. 

But his injuries have healed and he’s been on his bike for several weeks. He even attended a recent training camp with his team in Sierra Nevada. So he’s back on schedule in terms of his training for this summer’s Tour de France. 

This sets Evenepoel up for an important showdown with Roglič–and others–at the Critérium du Dauphiné–the Belgian’s last race before the Tour de France–and the pressure he’ll face there will be intense. 

The winner of the 2022 Vuelta a España, Evenepoel is Belgium’s best chance to win a Tour in several decades (a Belgian hasn’t won the Tour since 1976), so he already carries the weight of a nation of passionate cycling fans on his shoulders.

So there’s really no way for the 24-year-old to come out of the Dauphiné without facing even more pressure: if races well–let’s say, finishes on the podium–everyone will start talking about him as if he’s bound to win the Tour. But a bad Dauphiné will fire up the naysayers, putting the wrong kind of pressure on a rider who sometimes struggles to handle adversity. It’s an unenviable position, but that’s life as when you’re Belgium’s first grand tour winner since 1978. 

Egan Bernal and Carlos Rodriguez

Previous Rankings : 4 (Bernal) and 5 (Rodríguez)

Race Days : 28 (Bernal) and 24 (Rodríguez)

Race Wins : 0 (Bernal) and 2 (Rodríguez)

Best Result : 3rd place, General Classficiation - Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (Bernal) and 1st-place, General Classification - Tour de Romandie (Rodríguez)

Next Race : Tour de France, June 29-July 21 (Bernal) and Critérium du Dauphiné, June 2-10 (Rodríguez) 

We’re hedging our bets with this one because–at the moment–we can’t find a reason to put one ahead of the other. But that could change after the Critérium du Dauphiné, which Rodríguez will be starting this weekend.

The Spaniard flew a bit under the radar at last year’s Dauphiné, but in hindsight he shouldn’t have: he finished ninth overall against some tough competition and won the white jersey as the race’s Best Young Rider. The then-22-year-old went on to finish fifth overall and win a stage at the Tour de France. Perhaps we should have seen it coming.

But Rodríguez won’t sneak up on anyone this year, and his performance will indicate if he’s ready to become a true Tour de France podium contender. If he is, he’ll likely bump Bernal–who last raced in late-April and is currently training in Colombia–down a notch in the team’s leadership hierarchy. And that might not be a bad thing: we like the chances of “Bernal the Dark Horse” better than those of “Bernal the Pre-Tour Podium Contender.” 

Jonas Vingegaard

Previous Ranking : Under Consideration

Race Days : 14

Race Wins : 7

Best Result : 1st-place, General Classification - Tirreno-Adriatico

Next Race : TBD

Given some recent news, we’re optimistically moving the Tour’s two-time defending champion back into our top-5—well, 6 if you consider the INEOS tandem above. 

One of the worst victims of the crash at the Tour of the Basque Country, Vingegaard lay motionless along the side of the road for a few minutes before finally being placed in an ambulance and taken to a local hospital, where tests revealed a broken collarbone and a few cracked ribs. Later the team shared that Vingegaard also suffered a pulmonary contusion and a collapsed lung. He stayed in the hospital for 12 days. 

At first, Visma-Lease a Bike wouldn’t discuss the Dane’s chances of racing the Tour de France. But now they are–albeit in uncertain terms–because Vingegaard is back on his bike and training. He was first spotted on a bike path in Denmark, and this week, he arrived in Tignes, France for altitude training camp.

At the Giro d’Italia last week, his team manager Richard Plugge confirmed that Vingegaard has indeed resumed training but would only head to the Tour if he is 100 percent ready to defend his title. And he didn’t sound as if the possibility of the Dane being ready in time was as far-fetched as it seemed a month ago.  

He won’t ride the Dauphiné, but his teammates racing it will meet him in Tignes afterwards. Things are clearly going better than they were in April for Vingegaard, and we think there’s about a 50% chance that he starts the Tour de France. 

Vingegaard started the season in dominating fashion. In fact, he was so strong that some wondered how he could possibly maintain such a high level of fitness all the way through the Tour. Assuming he’s able to get anywhere close to the form he had before the crash–and he starts the Tour–he’s good enough to break back into our Power Ranking. It’s an optimistic take, but we’re going with it–for now.

Under Consideration

If Vingegaard is ultimately unable to start the Tour de France, American Sepp Kuss (Visma Lease a Bike) –the winner of last year’s Vuelta a España–will likely lead the team instead. Kuss hasn’t raced since the Tour of the Basque Country, but he’s starting the Critérium du Dauphiné this Sunday. With three summit finishes to close out the race, it’s the perfect chance for Kuss to assert himself as a Tour de France contender.

Spain’s Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) is also riding the Dauphiné and likely racing to win it. The 21-year-old finished third at the 2022 Vuelta a España and is set to start his first Tour de France this summer. He’ll be riding in support of Pogačar, but the Spaniard could be a contender himself–both as a domestique (UAE put two riders on the podium last year) and as a back-up plan (should something happen to Pog).

Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) has been training since his last race, April’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The 31-year-old is racing the Tour de Suisse–which takes place one week after the Dauphiné–as his final race before the Tour. And he’ll be racing with a chip on his shoulder: the reigning Olympic champion was not selected to represent his country at the games this summer. Jhonatan Narváez (INEOS Grenadiers)–who won Stage 1 at the Giro d’Italia–was chosen instead.

Since getting hooked on pro cycling while watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship in Philadelphia, longtime Bicycling contributor Whit Yost has raced on Belgian cobbles, helped build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux as an assistant director sportif. These days, he lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania, spending his days serving as an assistant middle school principal and his nights playing Dungeons & Dragons.

.css-1t6om3g:before{width:1.75rem;height:1.75rem;margin:0 0.625rem -0.125rem 0;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-background-size:1.25rem;background-size:1.25rem;background-color:#F8D811;color:#000;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-position:center;background-position:center;}.loaded .css-1t6om3g:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/bicycling/static/images/chevron-design-element.c42d609.svg);} News

Kuss Prepared to Adapt If Vingegaard Misses Tour

Vingegaard Excluded from Danish Olympic Squad

2025 Vuelta a España Set to Start in Italy

Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Magnus White Case

Peter Sagan’s Olympic Dream Halted

Ferrand-Prévot to Focus on Road Racing Comeback

Paris 2024: Ecuador Selects Narváez Over Carapaz

Miguel Ángel López Suspended for Four Years

Unbound Gravel’s Drafting Rule Stirs Controversy

How to Make Your Bike Commute Better

Tadej Pogačar Keeps Getting Flagged on Strava

The Long Riders' Guild

A  History of Russian Horse Travel

CuChullaine O’Reilly F.R.G.S.

Founder, The Long Riders’ Guild

When asked to name an equestrian culture, the majority of modern humans would think of cowboys and gauchos. What few people remember is that Russia played a remarkable role in horse-human history. A special study documents the astonishing and dangerous journeys done during the last 300 years. This unique report documents the women and men who had the courage to ride across Russia, from the days of the Czars, through the era of the Soviet Union, and who are blazing new trails in the 21 st century.

Watch: Criterium du Dauphine crash involving more than 50 riders on treacherous downhill section

Stage five is neutralised because of a lack of ambulances available to support French road race

Stage five of the Criterium du Dauphine in France had to be neutralised following two huge crashes on a treacherous downhill section with just over 21km remaining.

Race leader Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step), Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) was among the riders to suffer injuries after around 50 riders went down on the slick, wet run-in to the finish in Saint-Priest.

Some riders escaped relatively lightly. Roglic was quickly back on his feet, Evenepoel was slower to get up, and there will be some concern at QuickStep given he appeared to hit his head and the same shoulder he fractured two months ago at Itzulia Basque Country. It remains to be seen whether the Belgian continues in the yellow jersey on Friday, though team principal Patrick Lefevere suggested he would.

“I got an update from our team doctor, and it looks like it will remain bumps and bruises. From our team, only Antoine Huby needs some stitches, but that is not super urgent,” Lefevere said in an interview with Sporza. “But it is not fun. You can also imagine that Remco would immediately be scared and reach for his shoulder after a crash like that, after what he experienced in the Basque Country. But it looks like it will be okay.”

The Visma-Lease a Bike pairing of Dylan van Baarle and Steven Kruijswijk were both forced to abandon due to injuries sustained. It is the latest misfortune to befall the Dutch team, who won all three grand tours last year but have had a wretched couple of months with injuries to stars Wout van Aert and Jonas Vingegaard.

After much consultation, organisers announced that because of the lack of ambulances remaining, the peloton would ride the final kilometres into Saint-Priest together, but there would be no stage winner and no time awarded for the general classification.

“In accordance with the jury of commissaires of the UCI it’s been decided that due to the fact there are no ambulances can take care of the security of the riders because they are all busy going to different hospitals, the race will be neutralised,” read a statement. “The race will be neutralised and the peloton will ride all the way to the finish line under the escort of the Garde Republicaine. The times will not be taken into account, there will not be a winner for today’s stage.”

Meanwhile, British champion Pfeiffer Georgi and two-time race winner Lizzie Deignan finished third and fourth respectively on Stage 1 of the newly-rebranded Tour of Britain Women.

Georgi (Team DSM-Firmenich-PostNl) and Deignan, who is riding for the Great Britain national team this week as her Lidl-Trek team have not entered the race, were part of an elite nine-rider breakaway which escaped heading into the final in Llandudno, at the end of a lumpy stage from Welshpool. Deignan’s teammate Anna Henderson also made it into the group.

In the end, world champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) won on the Welsh seafront ahead of Letizia Paternoster (Liv-AlUla-Jayco) in a photo finish to grab the race lead. But the British trio are well placed overall, with the escapees heading into Friday’s second stage with a lead of 3min50sec over the rest of the field.

This year’s race, the first following the appointment of the former Team Sky and Ineos Grenadiers deputy team principal Rod Ellingworth as Tour of Britain race director, was reduced to four stages to give it a better chance of going ahead following the collapse of long-time promoter SweetSpot at the end of last year.

British Cycling decided to take on the running of both the men’s and women’s events, and while there have been moments this year when it looked as if both might be in trouble, the governing body has managed to get them up and running.

The recent injection of around £20m into British Cycling’s coffers from Lloyds Bank, who have taken on title sponsorship of both races, has been described as “game-changing” by the governing body’s chief executive Jon Dutton.

Dutton says the hope is to grow the women’s event back up to six days next year, when all the big World Tour teams should once again be involved. The uncertainty this year meant that many of them opted to compete elsewhere.

• UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale),
• Road cycling
• Facebook Icon
• WhatsApp Icon