Keaton Simons – TOUR TIPS

This new set of Tour Tips was written by the rock/blues/pop artist, Keaton Simons. You can check them out after the break.

1. You don’t need anywhere near as many clothes and things as you think you do. Packing light will help save space and make you feel lighter. If you find yourself really wanting something you don’t have with you, chances are you can find it somewhere on the road. If not, ask someone to send it to you.

2. Maintain an open mind when being presented with new experiences. The best and most memorable adventures tend to happen when you least expect them. Just remember to be safe and don’t be late for the gig!

3. Eat well, stretch and exercise. This doesn’t mean to completely deprive yourself of the tasty stuff or spend every waking moment in the gym (unless that’s what you’re into). Take the time to explore your surroundings on foot. Walking is great exercise and it slows you down enough to allow you to absorb and observe the world around you.

4. Make an effort to be patient and communicative with your travel partners. The old adage that you aren’t doing this to make friends is bullshit! People who live by that rule are usually miserable and everyone hates them. Haha. Your touring partners are more than friends. They are your family and everyone deserves respect. I’ve been extremely fortunate in that almost everyone I’ve ever toured with has been a pleasure. When you do have a bad apple it can quickly spoil the bunch. Identify the problem and remedy it as diplomatically and peacefully as possible.

5. Remember why you do this in the first place. I do this because I love music and I love to perform and share experiences with people. Touring can easily become mundane and repetitive. Remember to value and live in the moment. Ask yourself, “what does this song mean to me right now?” Maintaining a constant appreciation of your audience helps a lot as well. They take the time and choose to spend their hard earned money just to come see you do what you love most. Whenever I think about that (which is often) I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude.

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