I have a copy I found in a used book store. That book is full of good, practical advice.
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Going on tour for the first time!
- Thread starter PupGoesPunk
- Start date
I have a copy I found in a used book store. That book is full of good, practical advice.
Missing on my previous note: Learn now how to set up your instrument to your liking. Practice this so you get proficient.
Have an escape route where you can get home on your own. Rental rigs means you dont have to truck them.
Dont get wasted on first night party to such an extent you miss breakfast and the bus at 09:00.
If gigs are between town/cities you could be driving all day to make soundcheck early evening which means you are tired already two or 3 days in, but the gig is late and bed even later.
Pace yourself and sleep when you can.
The schedule is the schedule so make sure you roughly know what it is on a daily basis.
Breakfast call
On road call.
Soundcheck call
Gig call.
Avoid blowing your money ..its a job. Fun, but still a job.
Dont get wasted on first night party to such an extent you miss breakfast and the bus at 09:00.
If gigs are between town/cities you could be driving all day to make soundcheck early evening which means you are tired already two or 3 days in, but the gig is late and bed even later.
Pace yourself and sleep when you can.
The schedule is the schedule so make sure you roughly know what it is on a daily basis.
Breakfast call
On road call.
Soundcheck call
Gig call.
Avoid blowing your money ..its a job. Fun, but still a job.
I knew a guy who did touring for a few years. He said his band always put underwear and socks on their riders. If they did not have access to laundry they would at least have clean undies and socks.
get one of those camping light weight towels to dry off sometimes everyone will grab towels and you don't want a second hand towel after a drummer wipes his ass with it, I used one few times in Europe we had a long drive right after a show in Croatia and drove almost 2 days to London, show to show found a great truck stop and had a shower that towel was awesome! In Japan didn't bring one not as far to drive. The inflatable camping pillows are great too if you need to crash and no pillows around. Also expect to spend most of your down time in laundry mats, Hostels will sometimes have laundry service do it as soon as you get there don't wait till last minute to grab wet clothing and jump into van! oh its an adventure for sure
I’ll add to this. Anything of yours that you can bring into the hotel with you, bring. The less you leave in a vehicle overnight the better. Thieves love tour vans/trailers.
I hate to be a buzz-kill (...not really) and the question has to be asked:
Has anybody gone all-in on a tour and found it necessary to bail mid-way as the project deteriorated into a major Charlie Foxtrot?
Riis
No, I always came out getting paid but I recall the promoter losing a bundle and had to leave the tour for a week to secure more funds once.
That qualifies. I'm talkin' stuck-in-the-mud, pawning gear for food / transportation monies, bus ride home, etc.
Riis
Lol, fortunately that never happened to me even though some tours were a bit, er, rough around the edges.
Make sure you have at least $500 cash hidden in your shoe in addition to any credit cards. Even though you may think you are tight with your other band members, consider the one thing about each of them that annoys you, and come to grips with it. In the worst of times that gets amplified.
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Don't keep anything illegal in the van. My old band used to travel with lots of contraband, and somehow we never got in trouble. You do not want to have to empty out the contents of the van at 3am under the watch of a less than sympathetic police officer.
This should go without saying, but if you do party after the show, make sure to designate a DD before the night starts. Not just the person who's the most sober at the end of the night.
This should go without saying, but if you do party after the show, make sure to designate a DD before the night starts. Not just the person who's the most sober at the end of the night.
Man, some awesome advice. But no one has mentioned the most important things...
#1 Bang ALL of the women; Fans, Strippers, Hookers...
#2 Drink ALL the booze; Beer, Liquor, Wine...
#3 Snort ALL the drugs; Coke, Speed, Smack...
Just to be clear about what all the people that said "Have Fun" meant. I'm in an 80's band. Trust me - that's how it is done!
#1 Bang ALL of the women; Fans, Strippers, Hookers...
#2 Drink ALL the booze; Beer, Liquor, Wine...
#3 Snort ALL the drugs; Coke, Speed, Smack...
Just to be clear about what all the people that said "Have Fun" meant. I'm in an 80's band. Trust me - that's how it is done!
Assume everything gets stolen. Avoid bringing pride possessions. Better to have non-sentimental gear on the journey. Make sure your phone contents are backed up to the cloud. 30000mw battery phone chargers can be had for $25 these days - good to keep your phone charged. If you have an iPhone, have a card or 2 setup on Apple Pay. A noise canceling headset to cancel out road noise can be very nice and having you arrive at your destination refreshed.
Bring a small notebook for important contacts and other details (hotel and venue addresses etc.) in case your phone dies.
Figure out a plan to get back home in case the tour implodes and you're stuck in the middle of nowhere. Ideally a credit card with enough balance for a plane/bus/train ticket.
How and when are you getting paid? The per diems are never enough, so you're going to need some cash for food/drink and other running expenses during the tour.
What about insurance? On-stage/venue accidents (a member of your band, venue staff, or audience), traffic accidents, equipment loss and damage, and loss of income and potential liabilities (ouch!) due to any of the above. Haven't toured in a while, so not sure what the situation is right now with COVID-19 mixing things up.
Take a lot of pictures!
Figure out a plan to get back home in case the tour implodes and you're stuck in the middle of nowhere. Ideally a credit card with enough balance for a plane/bus/train ticket.
How and when are you getting paid? The per diems are never enough, so you're going to need some cash for food/drink and other running expenses during the tour.
What about insurance? On-stage/venue accidents (a member of your band, venue staff, or audience), traffic accidents, equipment loss and damage, and loss of income and potential liabilities (ouch!) due to any of the above. Haven't toured in a while, so not sure what the situation is right now with COVID-19 mixing things up.
Take a lot of pictures!
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