The Luck – TOUR TIPS

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

Phone chargers: Probably the first thing you want to pack. Smartphones are notorious for running out of battery. If you’re emailing, taking pictures or snapchat vids and your phone suddenly dies, it can be most irritating indeed. Also, if you manage to lose the other people in your band in a new city and you’re at 2% charge trying to call them, exasperation may occur. Get a portable charger, a USB car adaptor for the road and some cables in case everyone else forgets theirs. Which they will. Because they are musicians.

Time: Driving in traffic and getting lost in unfamiliar places inevitably adds time to your journey to the venue. Suddenly you’re getting on stage with little or no soundcheck, your voice isn’t warmed up and you’re as stressed as that little squirrel in Ice Age, before your show. Avoid the hassle and give yourself an hour or so over whatever Google maps tells you.

Eats and bevs: Don’t get unnecessarily ‘hangry’. It is enough of an effort trying to get to the venue without feeling like you’re expiring from dehydration and hunger. If you’re on the road, get some healthy protein bars or shakes, loads of water and electrolyte powder. Dried fruit and nuts can be great as long as you’re not just about to sing. And ‘PERFECT’ bars are EPIC, especially with a nice cup of coffee.

Exercise: It’s tough to maintain this discipline… But if you can be bothered to try and get endorphins rushing through your bloodstream, it can brighten your mood when you are feeling ‘over it’.

Security: We have heard far too many stories about bands having everything stolen out of their vans – from guitar pedals to laptops. If you can put your valuables into a motel or friends’ flat, do it.. It’s dull to start carrying stuff about when you’re tired and strung out, but there is a lot more frustration and heartbreak when your Les Paul or MacBook Pro – with new songs and countless memories – disappears. Keep an eye on your gear in the venue or ask someone you can trust to watch it for you; it’s pretty annoying when your kit goes walkabout. And actually, keep a backup of your laptop and phone somewhere safe.

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