Checklist for an Artist’s First Musical Tour

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Entertainment is a multibillion-dollar industry and will only grow as time progresses. Whether it’s visual arts or music, you can be sure that the industry will always be there and continue to grow throughout our lifetimes and the next. The music industry is such that the sheer uniqueness that comes through human input is irreplaceable.
Music speaks to the soul, and denying its role in people’s lives is a flawed way of viewing this art. From classic times to modern contemporary music, the way we see it today, the artform still manages to gather an audience like nothing else. Therefore, if you plan on working towards your first musical tour, this article is for you. 

A musical tour has a sense of diversity like no other. Therefore, relying on a few sources to pace yourself the right way may be a good idea. If you are a novice, read till the end of this article to gain a complete understanding of your checklist for a musical tour. 

Grab your merchandise

Find the right place to sell your merch. Simply setting out a stall outside the concert might not be the wisest thing. Not only will you have to pay rent for the area, but you will probably need to hire someone to manage the stall while you are getting ready for your show. Therefore, in the age of e-commerce, it may be better to list your stock online. Getting the right bang for your buck when it comes to merch for touring bands isn’t always easy. Not only do you have to keep your own interest in mind, but the consumer as well. 

Merch is one of the best ways to market yourself subtly. People can forget your music. However, if they have a constant re-iteration of your face and brand, chances are you are going to get more popular over time. 

Find a place to stay

After the event, you will be tired and need a place to crash. Your vehicle isn’t going to cut it; you need something significantly more substantial than that. If you can’t afford a hotel, get a motel. You need a good night’s sleep to ensure a memorable set the next day. You might not think so, but the audience can pick up when the artist is tired. 

Especially if you are the one on the vocals, it resonates through your voice. Therefore, please don’t make the mistake of trying to tough it out. Get your rest and tear up the stage the next day. 

As a new artist on their first tour, you need to give it 110% during this time. Even seemingly small errors may come back to bite you if you aren’t careful. 

Budget well

You are probably going to end up spending more than you make on this tour, and that’s okay. You need to start somewhere, and most artists don’t break even till they become somewhat well known in society. Accommodation, travel, refreshments, and investing in the event will cost you a fair bit of money. Sure it’s going to be split a few ways with the other band members, but you need to have enough. 

Make sure you have this base covered before committing to the event. You may be tempted to say yes as soon as you hear about the new opportunity, but please think before you act. 

Moreover, it would be a good idea to talk about finances with the rest of your bandmates. One member not showing their full commitment could end up costing you in the long run. Moreover, it could affect the quality of your relationships and lead to an underlying distrust within the group. 

Ensure the equipment is working well

If you need to get your equipment sorted before the event, please do so. Your gear goes through serious wear and tear when on tour; therefore, make sure it can take the stress of an event. Restring your guitars, tighten the drum skins and ensure everything is working properly. The audience can hear just about every flaw through your instrument, so don’t give them the chance to dislike you. 

Moreover, using guitars with a locking bridge is a smart move. You don’t realize it, but you generally hit the strings harder when performing for a crowd. This could affect the tuning and throw your entire sound off. Take care of your gear, clean it up and ensure that the crowd gets what they paid for. This is your first real exposure to a large crowd, so make sure it’s one they remember forever. 

Conclusion

These were just a few tips in a much larger list of the things you need to consider when going on your first tour. However, these too are extremely important when setting a positive impression. 

From merch to gear, we have covered a bunch of things you need to keep in mind when going on your first tour. 

Please be very realistic about your expectations. It might be very stressful, tiring, and generally uncomfortable. However, this is the first of many steps towards something big. Stay the course, perform great every time, and you will become the star you always wanted to be.