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How to Book a Tour

Posted: Nov 5, 2024

Category: Touring

show booking budget setting goals epk practice research negotiate tour routing embrace change musician indie coalition

**Guest post by Musician Indie Coalition, Business-Based Artist Development Experts who help DIY Musicians develop, launch and scale their music careers.

 

Book A Tour - MIC


"Embarking on a tour is something every musician dreams of. It's a chance to travel, connect with fans, showcase your talent in new cities and build momentum for your music career...the whole process of booking a tour requires careful planning, organization and strategic decision-making. A missed flight, a canceled show or simple typo on the tour schedule can cause total chaos and put you at risk of losing a ton of money. So whether you're a solo artist or part of a band, here are my step-by-step recommendations to help you navigate the process of booking your first tour and setting yourself up for success."

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Crossing the border to the Great White North: A musician’s guide

Posted: Apr 11, 2022

Category: Touring

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**Guest post originally featured in the Disc Makers Blog.

 

Marcus Welch


"O Canada! So close… yet sometimes so far away. Music flows freely across the border, but there are times when musicians and instruments have a little more trouble. If you’re planning a trip to play music gigs in Canada, here’s some advice and a few online resources to help make your border crossing smooth and easy."

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EVERY BAND forgets these 10 CRUCIAL items! | Words of Fang #20

Posted: Jul 6, 2021

Category: Touring

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**Guest post by Fang from Lords of the Trident, the most METAL band on earth!

 

10 Crucial Items - Fang


"I've been playing shows FOREVER, yet I ALMOST NEVER see bands bringing these 10 ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL items to their shows! Make your life on the road 100% better by keeping these ten items at the ready!"

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How to avoid going broke on tour

Posted: Apr 26, 2021

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Patrick McGuire for Bandzoogle.

 

BZ - How to avoid going broke on tour


"...responsible budgeting is just as important here as it is in any other facet of life. If you’re just starting out booking shows on the road, or if you’ve had bad experiences that have cost you gobs of money in the past, here are four considerations to make so that you can safely avoid going broke on your next tour."

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Tour Diary: What I Learned On the Road with Metal Heavyweights Mushroomhead

Posted: Mar 1, 2021

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Gideon Waxman, a London based drummer & music educator. Originally posted on Soundfly's Flypaper.

 

Tour Diary Gideon


"Although by no means a long run of shows, my band Familiar Spirit’s 2019 UK summer tour in support of American metal heavyweights Mushroomhead was an utterly insane and eye-opening experience — filled with wonderful people, great venues and an abundance of earth-shattering riffs. Having only formed a year ago, this was an opportunity that my band just couldn’t pass up, and I learned a lot from the experience. Here’s some of what I took away from the tour, and what I think young bands can do to prepare for and seize their own career-opening moments."

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20 Tips for a Successful Tour as an Independent Artist (Part 2)

Posted: Nov 9, 2020

Category: Touring

touring marketing relationships with fans newsletters concert promoter have fun local bands sound engineer live recording hudson moore digital tour bus

**Guest post written by Hudson Moore, originally posted on DigitalTourBus.com.

 

Hudson Moore 2


"I’ve been a touring independent artist for 10 years. I’ve booked, advanced, produced, and promoted almost every headline show I’ve ever played. I still have a long way to go, but I’ve been fortunate to play some amazing shows to fans across the US and over the years I’ve picked up a few tried and true tips and strategies that have helped me that will hopefully add value to you as well. So without further ado..."

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20 Tips for a Successful Tour as an Independent Artist (Part 1)

Posted: Nov 2, 2020

Category: Touring

show booking lodging touring plan promotion gear practice health be realistic vip tickets free ticket giveaways presell keys to success hudson moore digital tour bus

**Guest post written by Hudson Moore, originally posted on DigitalTourBus.com.

 

Hudson Moore 2


"I’ve been a touring independent artist for 10 years. I’ve booked, advanced, produced, and promoted almost every headline show I’ve ever played. I still have a long way to go, but I’ve been fortunate to play some amazing shows to fans across the US and over the years I’ve picked up a few tried and true tips and strategies that have helped me that will hopefully add value to you as well. So without further ado..."

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What I learned on our cross country tour (An Infographic)

Posted: Jun 8, 2020

Category: Touring

lodging merch diy touring spotify super fans data tour routing bug hunter

**Guest post written by Bug Hunter, a "thoughtful, self-reflective pop" singer-songwriter out of Seattle.

 

Bug Hunter 2019 Tour Infographic


"It started as a plan to play a couple East Coast shows while attending our old drummer’s wedding in North Carolina. Eventually our radius got so big that we just decided: “Hey, let’s just drive out there and play a show every night along the way”. So we packed up the minivan in Seattle and drove for 15 days, playing 14 shows without any prior experience in the markets we were visiting (save for Seattle and Portland)."

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Tour Tips from Charming Disaster: Add a Touch of Class

Posted: Mar 9, 2020

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Charming Disaster, a goth-folk duo based in Brooklyn, NY.

 

"Over the past few years of touring the U.S., we’ve learned a thing or two about maintaining the fabulous lifestyle to which we’re accustomed even while we’re on the road, and we wanted to share some of our time-tested tips with other indie artists...Adding a touch of class to your tour routine is a great way to stay healthy, boost morale, and maintain your delusions of grandeur."

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WHAT I LEARNED from International Touring - Words of Fang #16

Posted: Feb 10, 2020

Category: Touring

touring guide touring lords of the trident diy keys to success international touring

**Guest post by Fang from Lords of the Trident, the most METAL band on earth!

 

Words With Fang 16


"Episode 16 of Words of Fang. Eventually, your band will be faced with the daunting task of touring outside of your home country. Here are some Dos and Don'ts about DIYing your cross-country-conquest!"

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5 Huge Lies About Touring in 2020

Posted: Jan 13, 2020

Category: Touring

indie on the move show booking booking agents make money touring music business artist collective industry resources consulting diy

**Guest post written by Vinnie Hines, Co-Owner of Artist Collective AKA @ac_vinnie.

 

Artist Collective - 5 Lies 2020 - 2


"As a music consultant for Artist Collective, I constantly hear the complaints and excuses of artists all around the country about the industry and the idea of ‘touring’...so to start chipping away at the brainwash, let’s knock down these 5 HUGE LIES ABOUT TOURING IN 2020..."

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200 Days on the Road: 10 Things I've Learned

Posted: May 13, 2019

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Ellisa Sun, Jazz/Soul musician formerly based in San Francisco currently full-time RVing across the USA.

 

Ellisa 200 Days


"200 days ago, my partner Ken and I left our home base in Oakland, CA to spend one year full-time RVing and playing as many shows as we can to build an audience, learn about the industry, and hopefully earn enough money to survive...the following 10 Things I’ve Learned are more focused towards DIY Musicians like myself..."

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100 Days on the Road: 10 Things I've Learned

Posted: Apr 15, 2019

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Ellisa Sun, Jazz/Soul musician formerly based in San Francisco currently full-time RVing across the USA.

 

Ellisa Sun 100 Days


"100 days ago, me (Ellisa Sun) and my partner Ken Michienzi decided to leave our homes in Oakland, CA, purchase a used 30-foot Winnebago, and hit the road to play shows throughout the USA. Here’s what we’ve learned so far..."

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4 Tips For Building More Fun Into Your Next Tour

Posted: Mar 18, 2019

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Michelle McAfee, founder of Songbones, a small magazine/podcast for grassroots singer-songwriters..

 

4 Tips For Tour Michelle


"In September, I toured the southwest with another singer-songwriter for two weeks. We decided to do this tour differently. To weave other passions into the fabric of our days on the road. This didn’t necessarily make the tour easier, but it certainly made it an adventure! One that I will always remember."

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Winter Tour Tips

Posted: Feb 4, 2019

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Brandon Stoner of Thieves & Lovers.

 

Thieves&Lovers


"Winter is in full swing and it’s been a particularly brutal one due to the polar vortex that swept across the United States this past week...I wanted to write an article with some tips for touring during winter, as I’ve done so numerous times both as a performer and as a part of a tour crew and wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned along the way."

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Life Hacks for Touring Bands

Posted: Dec 17, 2018

Category: Touring

touring gear vehicle mental health emotional health thieves & lovers laundry aaa weather logistics power inverter gym membership breakfast

**Guest post written by Brandon Stoner of Thieves & Lovers.

 

Thieves&Lovers


"24-Hour Gym Membership, Hotel Breakfast, Show Logistics, Power Inverter, Weather Woes, Rules of the Road, Tune Your Vehicle, AAA, Poor Man's Laundromat, Gear Conscious, Always Have Toilet Paper..."

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Emotional Health While on the Road

Posted: Jul 16, 2018

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Andrew Tufano, Nashville based Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter.


"In most professions, emotional health is largely neglected. When you’re a touring musician, it can feel taboo to even admit to yourself that you’re lonely or that you need help, nevermind telling others...Here’s some of what I learned about relationships and self-care during my time on the road."

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Physical Health While on the Road

Posted: Jun 4, 2018

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Andrew Tufano, Nashville based Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter.

 

"Not many musicians return from a tour in better shape than when they left. There’s nothing wrong with putting on a few pounds over a two or three week tour, but if you’re looking to have the energy to tour full time, diligent self-care is the secret. Here are some of my strategies to not completely ravage your body while on the road."

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Touring - Solo vs. Band

Posted: Nov 20, 2017

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Andrew Tufano, Nashville based Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter.

 

"When you’re strapped for cash on the road, it can be a relief to have a bandmate in the passenger seat, lifting your spirits and holding things together. At the same time, splitting $42 in tips and then going out to drink every night can make turning a profit feel like a luxury you can’t afford. Here are some of the pros and cons to touring alone versus with your friends."

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Tips to keep your finances in order so you can tour profitably

Posted: Oct 23, 2017

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Andrew Tufano, Nashville based Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter.

 

Spreadsheet 1a edit
"I’ve made $44,917.42 in revenue in the past 18 months exclusively as an independent touring musician without a fan base. Over that time I played 249 shows, taught 91 lessons, and did other musical jobs for cash. There’s nothing particularly glamorous about my financials, but enough people have asked me to help them through theirs that I thought I’d publish my strategies. Here are some tips to keep your finances in order so you can tour profitably."

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POSSESSIONS: What to bring on an efficient tour

Posted: Oct 10, 2017

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Andrew Tufano, Nashville based Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter.

 

"When you’re touring full-time, every cubic inch in the back of your van counts. You can’t be a hoarder and tour efficiently, but fitting your daily necessities into a suitcase-shaped hole isn’t easy. Here are some strategies I learned on the road to help you consolidate your life into your car so you can comfortably tour for a living."

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How To Book and Execute a Successful Tour

Posted: Aug 21, 2017

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Ari Herstand, the author of How To Make It in the New Music Business.

 

Ari
"I’ve made a ton of mistakes and got screwed over by talent buyers, promoters and club owners more times than I’d like to admit. I learned everything the hard way and it took me years to figure out how to actually book a successful, money making tour. The biggest thing you want to remember when thinking about setting up a tour is: do not book a tour just to go on tour..."

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5 Golden Rules of Touring with Your Band

Posted: Jul 17, 2017

Category: Touring

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**Guest post written by Zac Green of Zing Instruments.

 

"Not many people are willing to admit this, but the hardest challenge of being in a successful band is not killing each other when you’re stuck in close proximity for a long period of time. If you’ve got your first tour coming up, or you’re looking for a way to make the next one better than the PTSD-inducing nightmare from last time, read on for the 5 golden rules of touring with your band..."

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Tips for Maintaining your Mental and Emotional Health During a Tour

Posted: Apr 3, 2017

Category: Touring

corina corina emotional health enjoy yourself mental health quiet time sleep stay connected touring treat yourself

**Guest post written by Corina Corina, NYC based Singer, Songwriter, Blogger.

 

"I have a love/hate relationship with touring. For all the incredible memories I have from years on the road, it was also stressful, exhausting and emotionally taxing. I've read hundreds of DIY music blogs about touring that emphasize the importance of self care but only begin to scratch the surface...Here are a few things I’ve learned in between downward facing dog and gas station coffee..."

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Here are some tips and tricks I learned while touring the country (DIY) as a singer-songwriter/duo

Posted: May 2, 2016

Category: Touring

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**Guest Post by Ezekiel Morphis, San Diego based Americana/Folk Singer-Songwriter.

 

"If you just started playing music last week, this article will aid you further down the road as long as you stay committed and work on your music first. If you are like me — two EPs completed, well practiced, working on an album, playing for a handful of years, don’t mind smelling like beer and shame for days on end and still want to know how to tour DIY — then this is the article for you."

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