“Why Touring Can Be A Total Nightmare For Rock Bands: A Rant!”
I mean, seriously folks, touring is supposed to be the ultimate dream for any musician. The idea of traveling the world, playing your tunes, and connecting with fans is enough to get any up-and-coming band jumping up and down with excitement.
The reality is far from that dream. Touring can be a complete nightmare…. let me tell you why.
“The Pain of Travel”
Traveling with your gear sucks! Or maybe that’s just me? Have you ever tried to get from one side of the country to the other with all your gear? It’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. It blows. And don’t even get me started on international travel. The airports are a chaotic maze, the security checks are enough to make you want to pull your hair out, and the long-haul flights are a special kind of torture.
“The Misery of Venues”
Then there’s the venues. You think you’ve finally found the perfect spot to play, only to arrive and find that the stage is the size of a bucket, the sound system is a 90s hifi center, and the dressing room is a damp, musty hole in the wall.
“The Agony of Logistics”
Logistics are another PITA. Loading and unloading gear, setting up, soundchecking, tearing down, driving to the next town, repeat. It’s enough to make you want to run screaming into the night. Plus the additional stress of making sure you’re on time for every show, that your gear is all set up and working (i.e. soundcheck), and that you don’t forget anything essential.
“The Horror of Being Stuck”
And what about when things go wrong? Like when your van breaks down in the middle of nowhere, or when you get stuck in a city for an extra day because of a storm. That’s when the fun really begins. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like being stuck in a dingy hotel room with your bandmates, who you’ve been cooped up with for days on end, with nothing to do and nowhere to go.
BUT….
… despite all that, I have to say, there are some truly amazing moments on tour. Like the time we played a packed club in Berlin and the crowd was so into it that they were singing along to every song. Or the time we drove through the countryside in Scotland and saw the most incredible sunset while playing some Acoustic tunes. And let’s not forget the bond that forms between band members and you, the FANS, when you’re on the road.
Touring can be a complete nightmare, but it can also be the adventure of a lifetime.