Deathpoint – TOUR TIPS

This new set of Tour Tips was written by Mike Labate, the drummer for the metal band, Deathpoint. You can check out the tips for touring, after the break.

1. Keep a level head – Its so easy to become flustered on the road. So many things can go wrong so quickly, and it’ll make you feel like none of it is worth it. Whether its booking problems, vehicle troubles, equipment issues, or anything else that may come up, staying calm through problems will yield the best results. If you need to take a moment to think before reacting to a situation, step away from the problem and think clearly before moving on with your solution.

2. Eat healthy – Its so easy to get caught up in grabbing fast food or a cheap snack on the road, but something like fruits and vegetables can be a simple little pick-me-up to keep your body from feeling lethargic and tired. Touring can be exhausting, and consuming foods that will only slow you down is a great way to make life miserable for yourself. Try to make healthy choices whenever possible.

3. Stay hydrated – Sure, beers and energy drinks may feel great at the time that you’re drinking them, but water is your best friend on tour. Shows take a lot out of you and sweating the amount that musicians do can be detrimental if a performer isn’t properly hydrated. Cramping, exhaustion, overheating, etc etc can all be a result if you’re not hydrated enough.

4. Find the positive – A lot of things can go wrong on tour, but being able to pick out the positive in any situation is a must. Dwelling on negatives during a tour is only going to make you hate touring. When you can grab the little things that go right out of any situation, you’ll remain driven and determined to continue to tour, getting your name out there and performing.

5. Communicate – The rule for our band is that if anyone has a problem with anything someone else in the band is doing, we stop everything and talk about it immediately. We don’t let anything build up so it cannot come to a point of a band member snapping on another. We also don’t hold grudges. Once something has been discussed and an agreement has been reached, we forget all about the incident and move on. We have found this to be a very positive way of dealing with issues and as a result, the band has stayed tight and on the same page through tour.

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