I know we all have stories about obnoxious soundmen, painful feedback etc, but the other day I think I found the winner
PA company were still setting up the PA 5 minutes before the intended stage time. When we were supposed to go on, we were ready with gear, but the mics were on the floor and there was no DI for the acoustic guitar. We asked about the DI, and they said they'd just mic it. For lots of reasons this is less and ideal so we asked if he could get a DI. He said they'd actually forgotten their DIs so would go and get them. About 10 minutes later I asked about thieir mic stands and they said they'd forgotten these too! 10 minutes later someone leaves, apparently to get mic stands and DI boxes. He got back about 30 minutes later with stands, DIs, but no mic clips!!! He'd forgotten them!
So, we went on stage about an hour late, no problem, but this was a "professional" PA hire firm hired by the local council paid god knows how much to put on the show, and they turned up without mic stands!!