Now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted for the most part, music lovers can’t get enough of concerts and festivals. Many musicians are hitting the road. If you’re going on tour, her are ten tips to ensuring the best trip possible.
1. Safety First
While it may sound a bit cliché, now more than ever, it’s true that you must put high priority on your safety and that of the band and the audience, not only when it comes to COVID, but in other realms as well.
It seems as if the whole world’s gone crazy recently. There are mass shootings everywhere with no rhyme or reason. It’s imperative for security to have your back so if you don’t have any, better get some!
2. Have a Band Plan
When there’s no clear-cut plan and decisions are left up in the air, chances are good there will be friction. It’s hard to get everyone to agree at the last minute – like where you are going to stay for the night, the best route, and ‘what’s for dinner’. If the band all sits down as a group and plans beforehand, things will go smoother. You can even come up with ways to compromise or silly solutions such as drawing straws or a good game of “Rocks, Paper, Scissors”.
3. Stay Healthy
Touring takes it out of you. Late nights, early mornings, and all the energy you pour into a show make life on the road hard on your health. Putting some focus on your health, even while on tour will help keep you feeling and performing at your best.
Some things to remember to do are:
- Keep hydrated
- Eat healthy
- Exercise
- Take a little time for yourself each day
- Get enough sleep
- Don’t overdo caffeine, sugar, or alcohol
- Keep everything in perspective
4. Mental Health Matters
Being on tour is stressful. Managing your mental health is imperative. Find ways to relax your mind such as journaling, meditating, or listening to inspirational podcasts. Managing and marketing your band is stressful so don’t hesitate to hire a pro to do it for you. If you reach boiling point or become depressed on the road, you can always rely on teletherapy with a counselor. You can also have a friend, family member, or significant other to turn to when you are feeling down or overstressed.
5. Communicate
When on tour, you are going to be with fellow band members and your crew. The walls of the bus or hotel room can begin to close in. Tempers flare and things get out of hand. Keeping communication open with those you are traveling with will help keep things from exploding. Setting up regular meetings will help prevent issues escalating. Don’t take offense if someone comes to you with a complaint. Be mature enough to handle it with grace. If you confront someone, be sure to do so without being on the offensive.
6. Familiar Something
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Unless you’re one of the few, you miss home when you’re on the road – especially the last leg of the journey. Taking something from home can help you feel a little less homesick. Whether it’s your favorite pillow, your trusty blanket, or a stuffed guitar your girlfriend gave you, having something from home brings comfort – no matter how silly it sounds. And guess what? No one has to know unless you choose to tell them.
7. Quest
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Along with playing your gigs and surviving the tour, have another quest – no matter how large or small. Collect keychains, shot glasses, or postcards along the way. Count how many people recognize the band when you aren’t on stage. If you’re really bored, play the license plate game. Do whatever you can to keep things fun.
8. Remember Your Band Members
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Avoid friction as best you can by think first before you do something that might be rude. Running your essential oil diffuser is fine for home and fine for the road unless it’s offensive to even one of your compadres. Never assume that just because they’re in a band that everyone likes their music loud. Tone it down unless everyone’s in one accord. The more considerate you are, the more likely you are to get the favor returned.
9. Video Journal
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Keep a video journal of life on the road. Film silly antics members of your group do. Get someone to shoot some on-stage music. Include restaurants, hotel or bus footage, and don’t forget to catch signs as you pass city to city and/or state to state. If you want, you can send your video to your significant other or share it on social media if everyone is alright with that. Or, you can keep it for personal viewing only.
10. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
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In the end, when you’re an old man or woman, rocking on the porch, telling the grandkids what life on the road was like, half the things that seems so traumatic while you’re on the road will be the fun times you’ll be reflecting on. Because in the end…it’s all small stuff!
10 points above may seem obvious, when you’re on the road, sometimes it’s hard to think straight. You get tired, lonely, and stressed. Setting your mind in tune with the steps beforehand will help prevent forgetting about them when you’re burned out.
Although the Touring has changed in the past few years. You don’t have to be a big-time band to be going out on the road. That means that the glamour you picture of a band tour may not be the case with you and your band. You might be scrounging for gas and food money rather than enjoying elaborate hotel rooms or a big, beautiful bus. It’s all good though.
When entertainment was practically shut down due to COVID, remember how you missed performing. Your fans missed it too. Keeping everything in perspective will help you make the most of life on the road. If it comes down to it – just hang in there and know that nothing lasts forever…not even the tour.