D&M – TOUR TIPS

This new set of Tour Tips was written by the guys in the alternative pop duo, D&M. You can check out their tips for touring, after the break.

1. Film Everything! – It’s always a good idea to document trips and adventures for the future, but it is especially important to get lots of footage on tour! Of course it can be hard to film yourself while trying to play a concert every night, so get whoever is selling your t-shirts or your tour manager to take some footage at each stop. You’ll end up with plenty of great content for your website, a new music video, or just to look fondly back at when you’re old and fat!

2. Minimize! – If you’re not sure that you need to bring something on tour, you probably don’t. Only bring the instruments you need (most places have backlines) and essential clothes. You’re a lot better off driving in a smaller vehicle or without a trailer by only bringing the essentials. You might miss your Marshall full-stack, but when its 2am and the money you saved affords you a cheap motel and the first shower you’ve had in 10 days, you’ll be happy you left it in the garage.

3. Cell Phone Battery Pack/Car Charger – Go on your iPhone for the next couple hours and let me know how long your battery lasts. Not very long at all. A cell phone battery pack or car charger goes a long way in keeping your connection to the outside world alive, and if your smart phone is your GPS, you’ll be able to get to the next gig without losing your way. Plus you’ll be able to listen to as much Lana Del Rey on Spotify as you want (which trust us is a lot).

4. At Least Bring A Hoody – It’s a summer tour! All I need to pack are jorts, tank tops, and maybe some fake ray bans! Right?! Wrong. Of course its summer and most of the time it will be hot. But on those cold nights in the desert, plains, or other weird climates in America, you will be very happy you decided to bring your lucky hoody once the sun goes down!

5. Experience the Food Culture – Touring is expensive, and most of the time its hard to afford anything more expensive than the McDonald Dollar Menu. But when in Rome… eat spaghetti! America is filled with diverse and delicious cuisines and there are usually plenty of authentic foods at affordable prices. So next time you’re in California get the fish tacos, not another Big Mac!

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Did you enjoy this set of tips? Do you think they would be useful while touring? Let us know in the comments below!