The Cringe – TOUR TIPS

This new set of Tour Tips was written by the alternative rock band, The Cringe. You can check out their tips for being on the road, after the break.

1) Be prepared to paratroop in! Opening bands often get little or no soundcheck, and need to have their sonics and their show down cold, as they may well hear their monitors for the first time when they hit the stage to play. Don’t just rehearse your music before the tour—rehearse the SHOW: what you’re going to say, where you’re going to move, and how it’s going to sound. Sure, let them think it’s all off-the-cuff, but have your ninja moves dialed in tight.

2) Pack light! If you can get your life for two months or more pared down to a single piece of carry-on luggage or duffel bag, and a backpack or shoulder bag, you’ll save yourself a world of hurt if you ever need to fly from city to city. You’ll also diminish the possibility that your bandmates will tease you about your giant suitcase that looks like a relic from the days when caravans of elephants transported fancy ladies across the Indian sub-continent. Oh, and don’t worry about socks and underwear: when you’ve worn them enough—do the smell test—throw them out and buy new ones at Walmart.

3) Stay (reasonably) fit! Look, even the cheapest hotels often have a little workout room with a running machine and a couple of free weights; use them. (If you’re on a bus, try push-ups and sit-ups and jumping-jacks!) Even if it’s only every other day, or even twice a week, working out gives you extra stamina, wards off the effects of partying, and actually increases your confidence and flexibility on stage. And you won’t arrive home after the tour looking like the Walking Dead.

4) Get your tablet, smartphone, or laptop rig together! You’re going to have to keep doing business while on the road, either with other projects back home, staying in touch with friends and girlfriends, or cranking out demos in your downtime, so why not have a light, portable system for doing all those things? Smartphone apps like Izotope’s Spire, Apple Garageband and others are great for on-the-road composing, though you may need more than an iPhone for serious band business, like building promo one-sheets, doing large email blasts, or printing out set lists and itineraries. And for god’s sake, when you get your device of doom, don’t lose the thing!

5) Be a total rock star, but don’t be a jerk! Nothing alienates your fellow bands—and this goes for openers and package tours alike—quite like the arrogant dummy who thinks the world owes him a living and an ego-boost every minute of the day. Do NOT put on airs or become the sullen, slouchy creep who never makes eye contact with anybody, or the guy who hits on every chick (or dude) who comes within 50 feet of the bus. Smile, be genuine, get over yourself, and take an interest and have respect for the other people who are part of this great adventure with you, including folks who just want a quick selfie with you so their “kids will think I’m cool!” Sure, look like a rock god, know you’re a rock god, perform like a rock god, but remain a good human being; that’s the kind of reputation you really want, in the end.

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