Miss May I’s Ryan Neff Talks Tour Finances – HOW-TO TOUR

Miss May I is one of the bands in the underground “scene” that has become a staple over the past decade. They’ve done both the Vans Warped Tour and Mayhem Festival, as well as countless other tours, both supporting and headlining. They’ve also toured in both luxury tour buses and 15-passenger vans. Finances can make or break a band and they definitely haven’t broken this one. The band only has one former band member, while other bands in the “scene” can count their members well into the double-digits. We thought they were the perfect band to dive into tour finances, so check out what Ryan Neff had to say on the subject, after the break.

For as long as I can remember, touring in a band has been my dream. I’ve had an obsession with observing my favorite acts and learning not only from their triumphs, but their mistakes as well. Taking the advice of great headliners early on in my bands career is one of the main reasons Miss May I was able to learn quickly how to not just save money on the road, but pull in a profit in the right situation.

The answer for most underground acts is learning the art of number crunching, and knowing when to swallow your pride and take the most affordable option. This applies in all areas, but most of all it comes in when selecting transportation.

The tour bus is a staple of the “successful touring act”. The giant diesel burning machine, loaded with bunks, tvs, gadgets, AC to protect you from the summer heat, and warmth during the tough winter months, all with your own personal driver. The assumption is that the vehicle is owned by the band, or somehow paid for by a label or third party. The fact of the matter is that a bus is like any other thing in life, it costs loads of money for the luxury and if you want it: you pay for it. Sometimes upwards of $50k in a single tour.

Miss May I, and thousands of other indie acts around America, have taken part in the tour bus life at one point or another. Some bands choose to do things a different way and learn that putting the extra work in with a van can save you heaps, and be the difference between having thirty days of comfort on the road, and providing for your family.

In our career, we have logged somewhere around 250k miles in vans that we own. Purchasing a van is a massive step for any band. I still fondly remember heading to local performances in 5 different vehicles just to make it happen. The day we got our first touring van was a huge milestone, and one that you likely will cross many times in a long career.

Taking the van adds loads of tough work, and that cannot be denied. The benefits can make a big impact though. With the added driving shifts, tough weather you will face, smelling farts all day long, and general discomfort, a lot of acts try to shy away from returning to the van once they’ve got away. We decided to head back to one this particular tour. It’s been a tough road with the winter weather, but the hard works makes all of us feel like we’ve earned it in the end. Though many artists say that the days of making money are gone, I believe with good logistics you can still make it work on the road. Touring in a van is a blast if done right, and a great way for bands to save money.

Keep up with Miss May I on Facebook and Twitter.

We’ve teamed up with MMI for three episodes of Bus Invaders in the past, you can watch them all below!

This episode is from 2009, while the band was on the “The Shred Til You’re Dead Tour” with Attack Attack!, I Set My Friends On Fire, Our Last Night and The Color Morale.

This episode is from 2011, while the band was on the Vans Warped Tour with A Day to Remember, 3Oh!3, Asking Alexandria, Pepper, Simple Plan and many more.

This episode is from 2014, while the band was on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Asking Alexandria and many more.