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Key takeaways
- Judge the show-day editing workflow, not only the planning screen
- Look for separate edit and read-only access
- Test connectivity and screen wake behavior on the real device
A timetable app can produce a neat schedule and still be awkward during a live show. Club and live-event workflows include lineup swaps, overrunning sets, dark rooms, and crew members checking the schedule from different locations. Choose for both preparation and operation.
Define the workflow first
Before comparing products, write down:
- Who is allowed to edit the timetable
- Who only needs to view it
- How often set order or duration changes on show day
- Whether attendees need a public view
- How reliable the venue network is
A spreadsheet or image may be enough for a short lineup that rarely changes. A dedicated app becomes more useful as editing and sharing increase.
1. Check automatic time calculations
When one set length changes, later start and end times should follow without manual edits. A workflow that requires retyping every time becomes fragile during a busy show.
GIGDECK calculates later times from the event start and each slot length. Reordering artists also recalculates the schedule around the new lineup.
2. Check show-day readability
An editing screen and a display screen solve different problems. Look for a view that makes the current artist and remaining time readable from a distance without exposing unnecessary controls.
If you plan to leave a screen on all night, test wake-lock behavior. Browser support depends on the device, operating system, and power settings even when an app offers the feature.
3. Separate editing from viewing
Crew and attendees should not need access to the editor. A read-only link lets people follow the schedule without creating a risk that they change it.
GIGDECK provides an AUDIENCE LINK for viewing. It shows the timetable but does not grant edit permission.
4. Understand the connectivity requirements
Real-time updates require an internet connection. Do not rely on a broad “offline support” label—test what remains visible after a connection drops and when edits reach another device.
GIGDECK can keep an already loaded screen visible, but time sync and new edits need connectivity.
5. Compare the free limits
Free tiers may limit events, viewers, or features. GIGDECK allows one event as an unregistered guest and up to three events with a free account.
A quick selection guide
| Situation | Best fit |
|---|---|
| A short lineup with almost no changes | Paper, image, or spreadsheet may be enough |
| Set order or duration changes during the show | App with automatic recalculation |
| Crew checks the schedule in several locations | App with read-only links and live updates |
| A dark booth needs a visible countdown | App with a dedicated LIVE display |
The most reliable test is a complete rehearsal on the device and network you will use at the venue.
Frequently asked questions
- What should I judge a timetable app on?
- Not the planning screen. Check whether you can change the schedule mid-show, whether editing and viewing access are separate, and what happens when the connection drops.
- Is an installable app better?
- Getting every crew member to install the same app at a venue is rarely realistic. A browser-based tool is shared by sending a link — GIGDECK needs no installation.
- Can I test a real show on the free tier?
- Yes. Guests get one event without signing up and a free account holds three, with LIVE display and the read-only link included.
- What should I test before committing?
- Use the actual show device: readability, keep-awake behaviour, and what the screen does when the network drops.
Try it with your own event
Guests can create one event without registering.