When a band sets out on its first road tour (see Getting Bands Out of Their Own Back Yards and Advance Marketing for Touring), it may be solely focused on ensuring that it has all the necessary gear that it will need. There are, however, a few more items that a band should consider before heading down the highway.
Packing for a Tour
While it may cause some folks to feel as though they have taken a leap backwards to the days of Kindergarten, it is important to label everything that a band plans to take on the road. Every single cable, every mic, every small piece of gear needs to be labeled in such a way as to deter thieves and misunderstandings with other acts. Even when gear will be packed into travel cases, every component should bear a label.
If the band will be taking its merch table (see Merchandising for the Unsigned Band) the table itself and all accessories need to be labeled with the band's name.
Once the gear has been addressed, there are some other important items that should be packed, as well. The first of these is a first aid kit that contains bandages, analgesics, anti-diarrheal medication, pain relievers and antacids. Band members should also ensure that they have enough of any prescription medication they take regularly or that they may need in certain urgent situations, such as an inhaler for asthmatics. If possible, those band members who wear glasses or contacts should pack a spare pair.
Phone and personal digital device chargers are important, but frequently forgotten when packing, so putting those on the checklist can save the unnecessary hassle of finding replacements in strange cities.
Other items that can be of significant benefit on the road are a high-powered flashlight and a portable alarm that emits a loud, piercing sound, and that can be hung on the inside of a hotel room door, or even on doors to the van or truck that holds equipment. Even if the band has a GPS unit (or a cellular phone that includes GPS), a paper map or up-to-date atlas can be very helpful.
Finally, each band member should have a copy of the tour itinerary that includes contact information for every venue, and that includes a page that lists phone numbers for other members of the band, as well as one contact back home for each band member. The phone numbers stored in a cell phone will be lost if the phone itself goes missing, so such a list can be extremely important.
Preparing the Vehicle
Whether the band owns its own van or truck, or will be renting one in which to travel, the vehicle needs to be in good running condition, with all fluids topped off. Safety features such as emergency lights, turn signals, windshield wipers and a working horn are of particular importance. A set of jumper cables , emergency cones and an extra can of oil should be thrown in the back.
A good rule of thumb when traveling is for the band to pretend that the halfway mark on the gas gauge is the empty mark. Keeping the vehicle’s gas tank at least half full will ensure that there are no instances of running out of gas on long stretches of road where gas stations are few and far between.
Protecting the Band and the Gear
The band should always be mindful of its surroundings and have a good general idea of where it is at all times – at least enough of an idea to communicate to someone as to how to locate them. When parking a vehicle loaded with gear, it is important to stay in well-lit areas, and where it is possible, to back the vehicle into a parking spot to decrease the chances of the back doors being opened and the gear being spirited out. If the band is especially worried about the theft of its gear, it can consider rotating “watch” duty, where one member stays with the vehicle at all times.
The band should stay together as much as possible, and despite how silly it may seem, should do a head count before pulling out of one location to move onto the next. (There are stories of band members being left behind at a truck stop or rest area without a phone.) If the band splits up to explore a new city, the buddy system should be used.
When staying in hotels, leaving the do-not-disturb sign on the door, even when the band is out, will keep the room from being cleaned, but will also deter theft when the band is not there. The band should never leave valuable pieces of gear in a hotel room when it is not there.
At least one person at home needs to be drafted as the point of contact during the tour. That person should have a copy of the band’s itinerary, and expect regular calls from the band with updates. Texting should not be used for this purpose, as anyone can send a text, but hearing a band member’s voice provides another layer of protection.
Things go wrong on the road – that’s a fact. Being prepared and safety conscious is a matter of applying common sense so that the band can enjoy its trip and accomplish its goal of getting the music out there to people in new cities. (Please see additional safety tips from Road America.)
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