Troy Harley – TOUR TIPS

We have a new set of awesome Tour Tips for you all to learn from. This set comes from Troy Harley. You can check out his tips after the break.

1. Water. Think you have enough? Bring more. Especially if you’re on a summer tour. You always run out of water, and it’s vital to have on stage, not only to stay hydrated, but to spray on the crowd, because they’re usually even hotter than you! Pack at least two full drawers or two full ice chests with water when you have a chance to stop at a Superstore – EVERY TIME.
2. Video games. The older, the better. I’m talking N64. Sega Genesis. Super Nintendo. On tour, you typically have a lot of down time in between shows, or after a set. People always like to unwind with a few beers, a boom box and video games. I suggest brining a TV, too, so you can hook everything up outside, and transform your casual downtime into social networking. It’s a chance to hang out with other really cool, really talented musicians, too. Suggested games? NHL96 for Sega. The Original Mario Cart for N64.
3. A tent. After a few days, you get cooped up in the bus. Get some fresh air. Stretch your legs. Plus, having a tent is perfect for a large tour – it opens you up to meeting new people and making new friends.
4. Mini barbecue set. This pretty much goes along with the tent and video games, doesn’t it? Even if your tour is catered, eventually, you’ll get tired of the food, or tired of waiting in line. A good old fashioned grilled hotdog or hamburger every once in a while should hit the spot.
5. This was a tough one. Booze? (Too obvious) Guitar hero? (Cliché) I almost said a mini amplifier, to be able to play outside, but even more important than that – a sturdy cart, with ALL-PURPOSE WHEELS. You never know what the parking lot at a venue is going to look like. Sometimes it’s paved. Sometimes it’s a half-mile long field of sharp rocks. You’ll regret not brining a cart the first day you have to lug your equipment from the bus all the way to the stage – which, of course, will happened to be positioned at the very far end of the festival.

Keep up with him on Facebook and Twitter!