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7 Lessons I Learned When I Started My Touring Band

The Wonderlands playing on stage in front of their 12x20 Cloth Band Backdrop

Every band sees stardom in their future. But the stats for bands that make it to venues with over 3,000 capacity are downright depressing.

I’m still going strong in my band Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse that we started years ago – here’s the things I learned early on so you can survive, and thrive!

Here’s 7 lessons I learned when I booked my first tours:

A diagram showing key factors for a Successful Band Tour on a circular image. The text reads Budget Management - planing and managing expenses for the tour, Vehicle Safety - ensuring the safety of vehicles and equipment, Band Member Well-being - Providing rest and health for band members, Reputation Building - maintaining a positive image in the music industry, Merchandise Promotion - Selling band merchandise to fans, Performance Quality - Delivering an outstanding live show.

  1. Start small and consider all costs in your band budget. Hotels, fuel, transportation and so on.
  2. Be aware to park your vehicles in a safe area while traveling so you van doesn’t get robbed. 
  3. Make sure everyone has a clean place to sleep and rest. 
  4. Stay healthy so you can make it to the next show and make a good impression.
  5. The music world can become very small and you are just starting to build your reputation. You will cross paths with people down the road if you do this long enough so be kind, and stay humble. 
  6. Print a backdrop with your band’s name on it so people remember you. Have a band merch table and stuff for people to buy or walk away with as you make new fans. The whole point of touring is to get in front of new audiences so don’t waste that opportunity!
  7. And then, most importantly: put on a great show. 

What If You Don’t Make Money From Music?

I like the way u/need2fix2017 says it:

A screenshot of reddit forum r/WeAreTheMusicMakers. Highlighted with a red outline is a comment from need2fix2017 that reads "Most new musicians think that it's Post Malone or couch trumpeter, and nowhere in between where the vast majority of musicians are squarely in the Performing for the Love of Music, and needing a day job to fund the habit."

You need to stay hungry for bigger shows – but at the same time, focusing 100% on your music is putting way too much stress on your career as a musician. Keep your day job and stay present to the passion and love for your music, and the rest will come in time. Explore effective band marketing strategies and find out what works for you.

CEO of Grow Vision, a Creative Production Studio and Record Label, as well as a touring musician in the band Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse.

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