Touring Tips for Musicians on the Road
Copyright 2007 Jeremy Rwakaara
Here are some tips for you to keep in mind when on the road:
Pay off all outstanding traffic tickets before you leave.
Pack only what you need. Any extra stuff will provide a tempting target for thieves and add to the load you have to haul, increasing your gas costs in the long run.
Driving close to the speed limit on long tours saves you gas. Most indie tours lose money, and gas, room & board, and car rentals constitute a large portion of the expenses.
Keep all contact information from people you meet while on the road, including venue managers, fans, street team members, promoters, helpful strangers, retail store personnel, other band members, etc. You never know when you need help on the way back or at any other time.
Keep a handy list of musicians in each city in case you need to replace a sick musician or a band member who quits while on the road.
Carry a tool kit. It will come in handy for both your equipment and auto needs.
When possible, pack things in boxes instead of suitcases. Boxes can be discarded or broken down if necessary.
Make sure your transportation is reliable.
Do not bring attention to yourself with fancy logos on your van. Blend in; not too fancy, not too crappy.
Whenever possible, park where you can see / hear the van. Do not let people see inside your van.
Use bike chains to chain together equipment cases and bags inside your van.
If possible, bring a laptop with you. Having access to the Internet while on the road can be a lifesaver. You can research information, contact people on your mailing list, coordinate your street team, get directions, check the weather and traffic conditions, update your web page or myspace profile, send and receive e-mail, and so on.
Bring along a hand truck to help with loading and un-loading heavy items.
Use travelers checks instead of cash whenever possible.
Do not keep large amounts of cash on you. Make frequent bank deposits when you get paid and use your ATM card to withdraw money when you need it.
Have a list of all your equipment, and check it before you leave each destination.
Give each band member a contact list of all the venues, bookers, and promoters involved in your tour.
Always carry road maps.
Join AAA and carry your AAA card at all times.
Carry a credit card for emergency situations where a credit card is needed (e.g. for reservations, car or equipment rentals, etc).
Let people at home know your exact tour route and schedule.
Take some merchandise with you for sale at your gigs (e.g. T-shirts, stickers, sweatshirts, etc). Most indie tours make more money from merchandise and CD sales at events than the money from the door or guarantee from the promoter / booker / venue manager.
When going overseas, make sure your passport and visa paperwork are in order, and ship your merchandise to the destination before you leave. Whenever possible, renting equipment when you get there will save you money and hassle at the airport or border.
Always carry a sleeping bag. It will come in handy in certain instances - for example; when you run out of gas during a snow storm, when the motel room heater is broken and no extra blankets are available, etc.
Pay attention to freeway gas and food signs on the road. For example, notice how much gas you have when you see the sign saying Next Gas Stop 60 miles.
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