In the eyes of OK Go frontman Damian Kulash, roadies belong to a special fraternity: "They are modern pirates, mercenaries," he says, discussing his crew before his band played a headlining show at New York's Bowery Ballroom. Over the course of the day – from early afternoon load-in to late night load-out – Rolling Stone followed these pirates as they tested equipment, blasted confetti and literally set the stage for a bright, energetic night of music. Here is their behind-the-scenes experience.