First time on tour. Headed to Wakarusa. What to bring?

[coughingskunk]

So my band Link Removed is going on our first tour starting tomorrow and I need some pointers about what to bring. We are only playing three shows. The first will be small at DGs Taphouse in Aimes, Iowa with probably under 100 people in attendance. The second should be a mid sized gig with around 200-300 people at the Off Broadway Music Venue in STL opening for our friends band Acoustics Anonymous. The third show is at Wakarusa this year and who knows what to expect there as we're playing our set at noon on Saturday.

I'm bringing all of the basics needed for playing: two basses (one nice, one backup), amp, cab, pedals, cables, basic tools.
I'm also bring all the basic life stuff: clothes, shoes, TP and other important toiletries.
Not bringing my computer

What I'm interested in finding out is what else do I need to prevent disaster / maximize awesomeness / not be an idiot.

 

[tedious1]

LOL, I don't know if you are easily entertained or distracted, but you may want to bring the computer, if it's a laptop... Lots of hurry up and wait on tour, if you got stuff to do, people to see, great, but if you don't, you might want something to kill some time with... And when you hit wifi, you can post tour updates here (which I sadly forgot to do when we were out in May...)

Beyond that:
Double up on cables, if you sing, an extra mic cable.
If you sing, your microphone. It'll probably stay in your bag, but every year we end up using one of the mic's we end up bringing...
Strings, for both basses.
Pillow and sleeping bag (you don't mention your accommodation plans) you can sleep in a van, but it's much more comfortable with a pillow.
Associated fodder you think your bandmates might forget/need. Drum keys, picks, extra tuner, guitar strings you know your bandmates...
Maps! - Unless you really know the area, don't rely on GPS! They are great, until they go wrong, at which point, you'll really want a map!

For the vehicle:
Oil,
Coolant,
Jumper Cables,
Jack,
Jerry Can,
Spare belts,
Tire inflator - yes it's a mess, but if all else goes sideways...
You presumably know your tour vehicle, if you have a slow PS leak, bring PS fluid, etc. etc.

 

[old spice]

Spare amp if you got it. Strings. Batteries if necessary.
Soldering iron etc.
Extension cords, boxes, strips.
Phone charger.
Spare tire and jack etc. Vehicle tools if possible.
Gaffer tape, duct tape.
If you're playing outdoors, sunscreen hat coat tarp etc.
Credit card.
O yeah, don't leave your stuff unattended in a vehicle day or night.

 

[tedious1]

I never think about the gaff tape, we carry a bunch of it with the merch, to which I rarely do more than carry...

 

[Duder]

For yourself: water, sunscreen, light clothing, water, hat, comfy shoes, cash, water
For your bass: strings, cloth to wipe off sweat, extra cables, extra strap(s), duct/electrical tape, spare amp (if possible), phillips head screwdriver, allan wrench (you never know), Edit: 9-volts for active basses or pedals

In my time helping as a "roadie" for my friends' bands I would go as far as to bring a soldering iron/solder, extra p'ups, multimeter, wire, power cables for amps...pretty much anything I could think of including sharpies (in case someone actually wants an autograph)

Did I mention water? They may provide it, they may not. As a spectator at Bonnaroo for many years I learned to deal with sulfur water, but it was always a good idea to have my own, clean, bottled water.

 

[coughingskunk]

LOL, I don't know if you are easily entertained or distracted

yes. I'll have my tablet too though. plus there is 7 of us going so never a dull moment.

Pillow and sleeping bag (you don't mention your accommodation plans) you can sleep in a van, but it's much more comfortable with a pillow.
Associated fodder you think your bandmates might forget/need. Drum keys, picks, extra tuner, guitar strings you know your bandmates...

Forgot to add the pillow and sleeping bag to the list. Thanks! Also, I'm pretty sure I've had a drum key in my gig bag for a couple years. My drummer is the *most* forgetful chick I've ever met. Period. So much so that our percussion player brings his kit cymbals and some stand to each of our shows...

Strings. Batteries if necessary.
Soldering iron etc.
Extension cords, boxes, strips.
Phone charger.
Gaffer tape, duct tape.

O yeah, don't leave your stuff unattended in a vehicle day or night.

Got some freshy strings and batteries in the gig bag!

We'll be staying with friends/family during the day and then driving after each gig so there won't be much time away from the van, but that has been a serious concern of mine. My renters insurance covers us in the event that something happens but I'm trying to prevent that situation from ever happening.

For yourself: water, sunscreen, light clothing, water, hat, comfy shoes, cash, water
For your bass: strings, cloth to wipe off sweat, extra cables, extra strap(s), duct/electrical tape, spare amp (if possible), phillips head screwdriver, allan wrench (you never know), Edit: 9-volts for active basses or pedals

Did I mention water? They may provide it, they may not. As a spectator at Bonnaroo for many years I learned to deal with sulfur water, but it was always a good idea to have my own, clean, bottled water.

Forgot the sunscreen! We've got a pool party (ha what are we, in 5th grade?) to attend in STL on Friday so good call! I've got all the tools required to setup our instruments. Def not bringing my soldering station tho. Watch that come to bite me in the ass.

We're bringing a cooler with food and bringing water as well. We're renting the van that has a full spare and toolkit, so hopefully nothing goes wrong there. I've got AAA and roadside assistance through my insurance in case anything happens but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. The only leg of the trip where we are pressed for time if from STL to Waka. We've gotta leave shortly after our set in order to get the festie early enough to go through security and get to camping, etc.

 

[Duder]

I've got all the tools required to setup our instruments. Def not bringing my soldering station tho. Watch that come to bite me in the ass.

I never had to use mine, but having extra instrument and power cables and straps was invaluable. I'm pretty sure the band(s) needed at least one of those things every time. Hell, I brought extra mics one time and they ended up needing one, but that's on the venue and not the band.

 

[bluesblaster]

A rain coat