Taking music to the road is usually a great way to mingle with other people and help uplift their spirits. If you’re a musician, you can easily touch a life by singing your tunes and putting on that electrifying performance. However, you have to be prepared for all the sacrifices involved when staging a successful musical tour.
It’s even more demanding if you travel to different destinations each day. From staying in below-standard accommodations to dealing with a poor diet, surviving as a touring musician has its fair share of unforeseen challenges. That’s why you may want to look at these fantastic travel tips to help you stay on top of thin
1.Never Ignore the Power of Quality Sleep
While on the road, giving your body a rest is essential to having a successful tour. Good sleep is key to maintaining high energy levels and performing to the best of your quality. Remember, partying all time and failing to relax your body will not make you last while on stage.
It’s understandable not to find comfortable spots if you’re traveling on a budget. However, this shouldn’t mean any place will do. There are still affordable places like the static caravans for sale north east which are pretty comfortable and allow you to move around with your accommodation.
2.Feel the Moment
You may be traveling for the sole purpose of entertaining your fans and all people who feel your vibe. But this doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and get the most out of your tour. Learn to embrace the journey and enjoy everything that comes out of it.
There’s something monotonous about staying in your hotel all day and not connecting with the world outside. If you’re traveling in certain areas for the first time, relish every moment of learning about the cultures and creating personal connections with the locals.
3.Mind Your Diet
There’s nothing wrong with tasting local cuisines or jumping into fast food joints. After all, you may not have as many options as you normally would when at home. But be aware of the less healthy stuff out there.
Keep in mind that you’re out there for the sole purpose of getting on stage and putting on the best musical performance for your fans. So, plan your meals ahead of time to avoid the crappy stuff that’ll take your diet downhill.
4.Develop an Itinerary
An excellent musical tour first begins by creating a well-curated itinerary. Your managers and show promoters may have a to-do list for you. However, you should also ensure their itinerary aligns with your personal needs and offers some space to rest.
A good itinerary needs to have all the places you’ll go when to go, and the time you’ll spend while on the road. Try to keep it detailed to avoid confusion and last-minute changes when the tour is underway.
5.Stay Active
It’s easier to fall back into your comfort zones when you’re out on the road traversing the world. For many musicians, this form of sedentary lifestyle is their fallback plan or a perfect excuse after hours of musical performances.
However, the truth is, an inactive lifestyle will only make things worse. It’ll leave you less motivated to be your best self in the subsequent performances. Where possible, jump out of your lounge and do some yoga or running. Grab every opportunity to go outside and make the most out of it by engaging in physical exercises.
6.Bring Along What You Need.
Chances are you’ll need a lot of preparations when going for a musical tour far away from home. Part of these preparations involves identifying and packing the stuff you’ll need while out there.
To be safe, learn how to make all systems go with as little as possible. That means bringing only what you need and maintaining everything to its bare minimum. Don’t carry six pairs of shoes when you can only have three. Go for versatility and keep things simple and clutter-free.
7.Ensure Your Instruments
As a traveling musician, you’re bound to experience a lot while on your journey. You may incur losses or break your instruments in the process. That’s why you may want to think about travel insurance before embarking on any of your following musical tours.
Numerous insurance companies provide cover for lost, damaged, or stolen instruments. Some companies go a notch higher by giving cover for delayed baggage if you travel separately with your instruments. While it adds to your overall travel expenses, the safety of your instruments is worth every penny spent on insuring them.
8.Learn Concert Etiquette
Traveling to places you’re less familiar with is one hectic experience. First, you’re unaware of the culture and what the fans expect. For that reason, you need to conduct thorough research on concert etiquette before traveling so you know what to expect.
There are vital factors you need to provide further consideration to. For example, learn and understand when it is appropriate to applaud. Also, be keen on the attire to wear while on stage. This is key, considering some places still hold onto their conservative beliefs.
9.Book Events Earlier
You need to plan your journey first after confirmation of your gigs; if you’re looking to perform in unfamiliar locations, research and find promoters who’ll help you prepare for your events.
However, make sure you’re connecting with honest people before making any arrangements. Promoters have conned many artists by selling their event tickets and later disappearing. If possible, look for local recommendations on event organizers to avoid any bad situation.
10.Go with Your Merchandise
The best way to enjoy your musical tour is to gift your fans with something they can get hold of after you’re gone. Besides availing of your music on streaming platforms, consider carrying along with a few gift merchandise.
Final Thought
Music is a beautiful spectacle that joins cultures and different backgrounds. Musicians can travel to varied destinations and share their beautiful gifts with others. If you’re a traveling musician, you can benefit from being well-organized by sticking to the above-shared travel tips.