Long before the first chord rings through the Georgia Theatre and hours after the last fan files out of downtown Athens, Colm O’Reilly is still working — loading out gear, wrapping cords and preparing for tomorrow’s show.
He’s been there since 7 a.m.
“When people think of Athens’ music scene, the Georgia Theatre is one of the first things that comes to mind,” said Michael Wilbanks, the box office’s general manager.
As O’Reilly works tirelessly behind the scenes, it’s clear why the Georgia Theatre holds such an iconic place in Athens’ music history.
Why It’s Newsworthy: This reveals the unseen work that keeps the Georgia Theatre running and showcases the dedication behind Athens’ music scene. Colm O’Reilly’s role highlights the collaboration and effort that make each show possible.The success of each concert depends on meticulous coordination — something O’Reilly oversees. He’s served as the production manager since the theatre’s 2011 reopening after a fire.
“I think most people just see the hour and a half that they’re there. That’s it,” he said.
From Sticky Floors to Center Stage
O’Reilly’s journey to Athens began in the early ’90s when he passed through town as a sound engineer for the British band The Sundays. His first impression of the Georgia Theatre wasn’t exactly glowing.
“I first came here around 1990-92. It was the most disgusting place I’d ever walked into. My feet stuck to the floor. It stunk,” he recalled.
Today, after renovations, the floors aren’t sticky, and only a faint smell of beer hangs in the air. O’Reilly now oversees sound, lighting, scheduling and the load-in/load-out of bands and equipment.
He’s present for nearly every show, including performances on the rooftop, which opened in 2011.
A Day That Starts Before Sunrise
O’Reilly’s workday begins before most of Athens is awake, ensuring buses and trucks are parked outside the venue. Load-in must be completed, and if extra hands are needed, O’Reilly arranges for an outside labor crew.
Every load-in, soundcheck, and lighting setup is different, depending on the scale of the production. Some bands bring their own crew, which means O’Reilly must adapt, coordinating with new people or improvising last-minute solutions.
“Occasionally, I’m scrambling on the day of the show, trying to fill in some requests or somehow MacGyver a situation that’s going to work for everybody,” he said.
“You never really fully know, until you’re in it — you’re doing load-ins and cleaning up after people at the end of the night and being there for sound checks … A lot goes into it. And I don’t think a lot of people realize that,” Wilbanks said.
Precision Under Pressure
O’Reilly typically leads a crew of about five, working alongside the band’s team. Once load-in is complete, they rig stage equipment, check sound and lights, and ensure the visiting crew integrates smoothly with the theatre’s systems.
Sometimes, this involves lowering the truss, which holds the stage lights, putting on a harness, and doing what O’Reilly calls “truss yoga.”
He also assists bus and truck drivers, arranging water, power hookups and transportation to and from their hotels.
Later in the day, he runs sound checks for all acts, then attends a security meeting with staff to review emergency plans, law enforcement presence and medical standby.
Showtime offers little relief for O’Reilly. In the general admission area, three banquet tables draped in tablecloths hold the sound and light boards. During the show, O’Reilly squeezes between them to mix the sound.
When the show ends, and the audience has dispersed into downtown Athens’ many bars, O’Reilly packs up the band’s gear and restores the venue to its resting state, finishing around 2 a.m.
Collaboration, Not Competition
Despite the long hours, O’Reilly has no complaints. The energy and collaboration of Athens’ music scene keep him here.
“With all of the venues in town, if anybody’s stuck for a crew or equipment, we all know each other. There’s no such thing as, ‘I can’t get hold of something,’ because we’re all just a phone call away,” he said.
Originally from Ireland, O’Reilly has lived in New York, Rhode Island, Quebec and California. But he believes there’s something unique about this college town in Georgia.
“There’s nowhere like Athens, really,” he said. “It’s the best town.”
Georgia Hartley is a third-year journalism and music business student.
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