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Essentials for a tour?

#24
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#27
I would throw a drum key and a few guitar picks in your bag. Sadly, you may be the only one that has them…

Also, at least one good extension cord, preferably one with multiple outlets at the female end.

A flashlight is good, but a headlamp is better. You can even get small, cheap ones that will clip onto the bill of a ball cap.
 
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#29
Always carried an emergency only credit card stashed in a safe place and needed it on more than one occasion. I'll second the tuner idea. We tuned up off stage right before we went on, as opposed to standing there on stage tuning, killing any vibe. Also handy in a hotel room or when the tuner on your pedal board or rack decides to go T.U. on you at the least opportune time.
 
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#31
To echo @JimmyM - wipes and/or febreze. Also for summer tours - Gold Bond foot powder. Can't recommend it enough. Someone will need it. NEED being the appropriate word.

If you will be eating crappy and drinking beer, bring Tums, Pepto or Alka Seltzer. Sounds minor but makes a huge difference when you get heartburn from all the greasy food right before you go onstage.
 
#33
I mean, equipment-wise, it's not all that different than playing a gig in town. Don't overpack, but a couple of basic tools are great. As much as it is joked about, the duct tape is always necessary, and for things you'll never expect. We tour in a 1999 Chevrolet short bus and discovered that the roof leaks right above the driver's seat during heavy rains. A quick stop at Lowe's for some Gorilla Tape rectified the problem. We also took some time to do a little rust repair, while we were at it. Simple sandwich making supplies are great, because you don't always know if food will be supplied by the venue, or if you'll even want to eat it. We also pack granola bars and a cooler full of bottled water and beer. Also, coozies are a good idea to have, and a good way to avoid open container tickets while you're killing time waiting for the venue to open. Though I pretty much hung up my DIY touring career a few months ago, they were responsible for some of my best memories. You'll get to know your band as though they are your siblings. You'll learn which of your bandmates are introverted and like to keep to themselves, and which ones like to drink a bottle of Dickel and wrestle in the front lawn of a Virginia Beach hibachi restaurant during a hurricane (hint:it's always the drummer). Now, have fun, and raise some hell.

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#35
JimmyM said:
Flushable butt wipes.

Lysol.

Anything else that takes out the smell of feet and ass from your vehicle.
Click to expand...

Having spent a LOT of time in a 15 passenger van for 10 years, trust me. You can take this advice to the bank. There is nothing more miserable (to me) than am awful smell you just can't escape.

Imodium. Why? Because my statement above is ridiculous. The MOST miserable thing is being either on a stage, or riding 8 hours to the next show, and there's no shutoff valve on your plumbing so to speak.
:D
 
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#36
Just got back from two weeks out yesterday. Here's a few of my must haves:
A pillow.
A book or two.
An LED Book light, could just be me though.
Allergy medicine, great for keeping allergies at bay or just helping you get some sleep.
A towel.
A blanket/sleeping bag, better to have it and never use than need it and not have it.
Three more pair of socks and underwear than you think you'll need.

Also, a few other people suggested flushable baby wipes, power strips, and a new stand and I cannot agree strongly enough with those suggestions.
 
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#38
beaglesandbass said:
Ok so I know this has been talked about at length, but a search wasn't coming back with any good results (please link me to some threads if you can find them) In august we'll be hitting the road and playing 9 gigs in 11 days. Nothing extravagant but it'll still be quite a workload for a bar band playing 3 50 minute sets every night.

On my list to bring so far:

2 basses
Amp (some venues provide amp, some
don't)
Backup DI incase amp fails
Extra strings
Extra cables
Stage tape
Batteries (9v & AA)
Extra strap
Allen keys incase I need to tweak a setup
Cleaning supplies
Nail clippers

I'm sure there are other things I'm not thinking of.
Click to expand...
Best thread ever:
Advice for aspiring Studio Players or anyone that wants to "Go Pro"
 
#39
All of the above, plus vitamins and that C orange-flavored powder stuff. Hydrate often and get out and stretch at every stop. Eat as healthy as you can, (road food sucks), because when you're at the mercy of a group you can't rely on regular meal times. Good fuel = more energy = better shows. Get adequate rest and don't over indulge.
 
#40
lots of good tips in here!
I like to bring a little ziplock bag with eye mask & couple sets of foam ear plugs. I keep that with my airline/travel neck pillow, so I can take a nap whenever I want to.

I like to have a "stage bag" - small bag that I can take with me on stage to hold my wallet, passport, keys, phone, cash. I leave it right next to my amp so I don't have to hold all that in my pockets.

Sandals. summer touring is hot, so bring some sandals so your feet are not always stuck in shoes. A large hat & sunscreen while you are at it.

Paper road map. Yeah, I know, you got your phone, right ? Well sometimes it ain't gonna work and you are going to want a map.
 

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