DIY Touring

[just-in.]

Any suggestions of how to go about booking a short, one week Summer Tour? This will be my first shot at doing this, so I'm really looking for some help. Some questions I have are:

1. If we're looking to tour early June/late July, when should I start trying to book it?
2. Is it best to contact bands or promoters in the areas we're looking to play?
3. All of our gear can fit in our van, not too comfortably, but we've dealt with it playing some out of town shows. Is it best to get a trailer?
4. I've heard that merch is gonna be the best way of bringing in gas money while on tour--do venues usually give any money to non-well-known bands?
5. Any items that you have found useful on tour that you never that you would need, or ended up having to buy while on tour?

If anyone can give me some help, that'd be really cool of you.

[Esrb99]

1. Book between now and a month in adv. start ASAP!!!
2. BOTH!!! look for venues that do local and state/region acts, try builing a following around your state and region.
3. if you're doing a week only, I suggest take two vehicles, that way you don't get too cramped over the week, and that way you don't waste cash on trailer for only a week.
4. depends on the venue. Bands get generally enough from a venue to get to the next show at the very least; some places take a merch cut as well (vince knows best how this works, always confuses me.)
5. cell chargers, walmart/trash bags, t-shirts, coffee.

Book in Rolla MO, at zero-five.

www.myspace.com/zerofivemusic

send them a message, tell them Thomas told you about the place.

Good Luck!!!

[patrickhowell]

Try to set up show trades with other bands, that's the best way to book out of town shows. Book a show with them in your town and offer them a guarantee, with an agreement that they will match that guarantee for you in their hometown. Since you've got a lot of time before your tour, try to book some weekend shows in places that are within 5 or so hours so you can start meeting people and you'll already have some friends/connections when you come through those places on tour.

[SamKS]

Start booking now, not all venues will book that late but a lot will if you give them a good reason to book your band. Message every band, promoter, and venue you possibly can in the area. Anyone that you think could help in someway, make sure they know about your band. Keep in contact, get on their backs about it, give them something to remember you and your band. Don’t expect huge guarantees, shoot high but say that it’s negotiable and a lot of times venues will work with you. You might have good luck finding another band of your size or a little bigger to do this with you, then you could share equipment, cut down the work of booking, and cut down the load in your van. Don’t sacrifice possibly great shows for lack of a guarantee. Keep your tour route reasonable, if you’re barely getting enough guarantees to fill up your tank from date to date don’t try and make 8 hour trips from venue to venue. I’d just take your van just try and rearrange it to the best of your ability to make it comfortable. If you aren’t getting huge guarantees make sure you push your merch sales as much as possible, you should do this regardless of the amount of money you get, but if you don’t get a guarantee merch sales will keep you on the road. Last thing, once this is all booked sit back, relax, and have a good time! It’s your first tour, make sure your having fun or you’ll never want to do it again.

[just-in.]

Thanks a lot for everyone's help! We've done some out of town shows before about 4 or 5 hours out from us, so I have some experience booking it, I'm just overwhelmed with trying to do 6/7 dates in a row, and trying to make them all work out.

Another question about the trailer ordeal. We do have access to a trailer that we can use for free, we're just skeptic about using it because of two things. Having to drive with a trailer behind us the entire way and also, all of the thefts that you hear happen to bands; a trailer kind of gives you away that you're a band.

All we're really looking for in money is just enough to get us to our next location and possibly a $5 Hot-N-Ready Pizza for right after the show. We're just four dudes looking to have some fun this Summer and go out on the road, playing shows for people we've never played for before. When in contact with the bands/promoters/venues, should I just throw out a number and see how that goes, or should I wait to see what they have to say?

[SamKS]

Thanks a lot for everyone's help! We've done some out of town shows before about 4 or 5 hours out from us, so I have some experience booking it, I'm just overwhelmed with trying to do 6/7 dates in a row, and trying to make them all work out.

Another question about the trailer ordeal. We do have access to a trailer that we can use for free, we're just skeptic about using it because of two things. Having to drive with a trailer behind us the entire way and also, all of the thefts that you hear happen to bands; a trailer kind of gives you away that you're a band.

All we're really looking for in money is just enough to get us to our next location and possibly a $5 Hot-N-Ready Pizza for right after the show. We're just four dudes looking to have some fun this Summer and go out on the road, playing shows for people we've never played for before. When in contact with the bands/promoters/venues, should I just throw out a number and see how that goes, or should I wait to see what they have to say?

If you do have access to a trailer you can use with no charge I would do it. Just start taking it to as many shows as you can before you head out on tour so you're use to it. You'll enjoy the rides a lot more if you have as much room as possible.

Yeah throw out a number but try and mention that you're willing to negotiate if it comes down to getting the show booked or not.

[remoteCONTROL]

save up enough money to fund the entire trip without relying on merch or guarantees. that way if you DO end up making money, it will be a bonus. Think of it as a vacation. booking shows on weekdays blows. find other bands your size on tour and google the venues they are playing, especially the ones during the middle of the week. that way you know they book bands your size and you know they'll do a weekday show.

[patrickhowell]

Yeah, weekday shows are tough to book, but it's not awful in the summer. Taking a trailer will make things so much more comfortable on a tour, just be careful about it. There are three places to lock your trailer, the wheel, the coupler, and the door. Make sure you invest in good locks for each of these places, and you will have nothing to worry about. Most bands don't have all of those bases covered and if your trailer is secure, a thief will probably just move on to the next band that isn't as prepared.

Since you've already done some out of town shows, you should have an idea of where your band does well. Try to book one of those shows on every other date, with a new one in between. That way you know you'll have some solid shows, but you'll also be playing for new people. When you're talking to people about booking the show, just tell them you need gas money, some pizza, and a floor to sleep on. Offer the same thing to bands for show trades and they'll be happy to do it for you.

[staybrave]

1. I'd start looking and making contacts now and work my way through until a month prior in order to avoid any pressure in filling last minute dates.
2. I'd use both but more than likely you're going to use bands to the best of your advantage because you won't have to put together a press kit and all of that jazz. Plus, you could return the favor to those bands that help you by sitting them up with shows in your area. Venues are sort of nit picky especially when it comes to bands like your's. All you have to do is put together a press kit or an EPK and send it to them and hope for the best.
3. If you don't own a trailer, I'd suggest getting one or renting one. It's a lot different when you're trapped inside a van for a week or weeks then it is suffering through it for a night. That Van basically becomes your home for that time period and its hard to stay comfortable even when you have a trailer with 4 or 5 other dudes in the van with you.
4. Merch will be your savior. It's always best to set up a guarntee. Something small like $50 or something. That way if the show does flop you still don't have to dig too deep into your pockets.
5. For me, it was my lap top and ipod that made touring a lot easier. There's no need in bringing excessive amounts of clothes or useless stuff.

Some other advice I can offer you is to be smart about routing your tour. My first tour was a week and we were stupid about it. We played 7 states in 7 days but we saw too many 12 hour drives in those 7 days and wasted a lot of time and money in the process. Be weery of where you play. Like driving from Bowling Green, Ky to Wilson, NC only to be greeted by a shady venue with 3 people there. Never the less no matter how good or bad your trip goes it will always be the best time of your life. When you get the chance to do it for a longer period of time it is even more fun. But nothing can ever replace your first tour. So, just have fun with it and stop at every go kart track you pass.

[just-in.]

Everything said in this thread has helped me out so much, and again, thank you all so much.

I can't wait to hit the road.

[mylastflight]

myspace, emailing, calling places and getting to know bands. Show swapping before tour helps. And talk to promoters and booking agencies. Also, there are places where you can pay certain amount of money to get your shows booked. But I wouldn't pay them until after the tour.

[BrettVsShark]

i see your from st.charles, that is super close to me. what band do you play with?

[just-in.]

i see your from st.charles, that is super close to me. what band do you play with?

I play in a Pop-Punk band called Left On Empire. We're relatively new.

[SamKS]

myspace, emailing, calling places and getting to know bands. Show swapping before tour helps. And talk to promoters and booking agencies. Also, there are places where you can pay certain amount of money to get your shows booked. But I wouldn't pay them until after the tour.

Never pay anyone to get your shows booked unless you are on the level where youc an work with a full time booking agent. That kind of goes against the whole DIY and hardwork thing, in my opinion, I don't think it would make you guys look good if you paid someone to book your first few tours.

[The Boathouse]

Yo, we should sticky this thread.

[xmicxcorex]

I'm just gonna toss in what Jake from Salt The Wound has told me about this.
Note: we are planning on touring around the same time, so a lot of this will make sense per what he told us, and per what im telling you. I'm not saying all of this is the best advice, but it's what they did, and they're getting decent sized for the type of band, so we're taking in and cherishing what hes told us.
1. As soon as possible. There are some promoters/venues that wont book a show for a band our size this far out, but there are some that prefer to.
2. Search for bands in your genre in that area with a decent number of local shows and a solid daily play count, and ask them who they would recommend getting ahold of for shows.
3. This is whole-heartedly a personal opinion. I would say get a trailer if you can afford it because the comfort on the road will pay off well, if you are sitting on another dudes lap the whole time, someones gonna have some issues.
4. We are honest-to-God offering to play every show for free. If we get money after the show, then that's badass. We have figured a low, medium, and extreme cost for gas prices based on every states average gas prices over the past 6 months and are basing what we need to have in pocket off of those prices. We are also planning on pressing 2 separate shirt designs and getting at least 1000 copies of our new cd pressed before we leave so we can hopefully make some extra cash off of that. If a promoter hands us money at the end of the show, we are merely gonna hug them and tell them how much we appreciate it and we'll contact him again about a show for our next tour.
5. SOCKS! Tell everyone to buy at least one or two extra packages of socks for tour. Before you get in the van after the show, take them off and throw them away and put on a new pair. Febreeze or some sort of air freshner. Youll be glad you did. Cell phone chargers as people have stated already. Maybe a few different iPods or Mp3 players and a shit ton of CDs. Make sure everyone plans on wearing different clothes every day and try to find a deodorant scent you can all agree on, get a ton of the spray kind and just carry that so no one can bitch.

Mind you, these are things I have been told, I dont personally have tour experience yet. Good luck man, and hopefully we'll cross paths at some point.

[just-in.]

I totally agree with you about playing shows for free. I look at touring as a vacation, since we're new to it, and we're gonna enjoy the entire journey. I was just wondering if venues even paid small touring bands. I know when we help touring bands that come through our area with shows, we try to make it set so that they get some cash for gas and food. But that money usually comes from some of the locals' pay, which they willingly give up.

[7dollarsox.com]

I was just wondering if venues even paid small touring bands. I know when we help touring bands that come through our area with shows, we try to make it set so that they get some cash for gas and food. But that money usually comes from some of the locals' pay, which they willingly give up.

in my experience if the promoter is cool, he will usually slide you around 50 bucks, sometimes more if the show is good.

but definitely do not count on it.

[verity38]

byofl.com

[SamKS]

byofl.com

I thought it was byofl.org

I would check but I'm in class right now.

[patrickhowell]

I thought it was byofl.org

I would check but I'm in class right now. b

Yeah, it's org...

[xmicxcorex]

man it sucks being in a hardcore band trying to find someone to deal with on byofl.org......

[7dollarsox.com]

man it sucks being in a hardcore band trying to find someone to deal with on byofl.org......

dodiyusa.org is also pretty good. kind of the same thing.

there isnt really a site for this kind of thing for stuff that isnt super "outsider-art" (crust, experimental jazz, etc)

[xmicxcorex]

I totally agree with you about playing shows for free. I look at touring as a vacation, since we're new to it, and we're gonna enjoy the entire journey. I was just wondering if venues even paid small touring bands. I know when we help touring bands that come through our area with shows, we try to make it set so that they get some cash for gas and food. But that money usually comes from some of the locals' pay, which they willingly give up.


the only downside to booking a tour this far out is that a lot of folks wont even talk to you. Ive been on it since Feb 9 now and only have 3 of the 14 dates booked, 2 of which are in the city 30 minutes from our hometown, the other is in New Iberia, Louisiana.
However, I fully believe the only reason we got that Louisiana date was because we offered to play for free. We're just trying to fill dates and play as many shows as possible...i think were gonna try to hit up at least one mall acoustic, like There for Tomorrow (correct me if i just namedropped the wrong band) and see if we can get kicked out for loitering.
Again good luck. Im headed over to add your band on myspace...we are called ...and ATTACK!

[patrickhowell]

If either of you guys were coming to Virginia, I'd try and help you out with a show...

Tristan, can we use a thread in this forum to discuss show trades, or does that belong somewhere else ?

[just-in.]

the only downside to booking a tour this far out is that a lot of folks wont even talk to you. Ive been on it since Feb 9 now and only have 3 of the 14 dates booked, 2 of which are in the city 30 minutes from our hometown, the other is in New Iberia, Louisiana.
However, I fully believe the only reason we got that Louisiana date was because we offered to play for free. We're just trying to fill dates and play as many shows as possible...i think were gonna try to hit up at least one mall acoustic, like There for Tomorrow (correct me if i just namedropped the wrong band) and see if we can get kicked out for loitering.
Again good luck. Im headed over to add your band on myspace...we are called ...and ATTACK!

Hey man, I saw that you added us, and if you guys need help for a St. Louis date, let me know and I'll try to help you guys out. But, I know exactly what you mean when people won't even talk to you. I've sent numerous messages to bands in other states that just get ignored because a lot of bands feel like they have to hop on shows, instead of trying get shows set up themselves. Or at least that's what I've took from it, because I actually have had bands tell me that they hate setting up shows.

[xmicxcorex]

Hey man, I saw that you added us, and if you guys need help for a St. Louis date, let me know and I'll try to help you guys out. But, I know exactly what you mean when people won't even talk to you. I've sent numerous messages to bands in other states that just get ignored because a lot of bands feel like they have to hop on shows, instead of trying get shows set up themselves. Or at least that's what I've took from it, because I actually have had bands tell me that they hate setting up shows.

Ya dude, thats the problem we've run into. The next issue is being a hardcore band, most of the other hardcore bands ive tried to contact for some help have ended up being dickbags. It's a bigger issue that were not straight-edge, and thats becoming a massive problem.
Like I said, I'm gonna try and get you guys a show down here.

If either of you guys were coming to Virginia, I'd try and help you out with a show...

Tristan, can we use a thread in this forum to discuss show trades, or does that belong somewhere else ?

Dude, I definitely agree with this. It's something that needs to happen. And i think as long as we do okay on this first tour, our next will be a bit west, then after that the east coast, so we'll definitely contact you about some help on that. And if you guys make it this way anytime soon, we'll definitely help you guys out as much as we can.

[SamKS]

Yeah I think having a forum in this section dedicated for show trades would be sick! It'd be a lot better than byofl.org.

[harveyn590]

Yeah I think having a forum in this section dedicated for show trades would be sick! It'd be a lot better than byofl.org.

I concur.

Earnityourself.com is a cool site with a nice set up and articles all about this stuff and has an area set up sor show trades. Not too many bands are signed up yet, but it is still growing.

[SamKS]

I concur.

Earnityourself.com is a cool site with a nice set up and articles all about this stuff and has an area set up sor show trades. Not too many bands are signed up yet, but it is still growing.

Never heard of this site but I just checked it out! It's awesome!

[sogoodmusic]

Some excellent booking advice on this thread.

The only disagreement I have is the benefit of taking a trailer. I think you mentioned only being out for a week, and for this it might be better to sacrifice a little bit of comfort and ditch the hassle of navigating/parking with a trailer. If you were our longer (and/or making some really long drives), I would definitely say bring it.

All I can really contribute to the advice already given:

1) BE RELENTLESS. By this, I don't mean blasting people with follow-up emails every day, but every day you should look to broaden your range of possibilities for a good show. Don't worry about double-booking yourself, because shows aren't confirmed until the promoter/venue says they are -- so keep contacting people and looking for a show on any given date, even if something is looking promising. Even confirmed shows fall through occasionally, so be relentless. (This is hard to do sometimes, especially if you have two people working to get you a show and both come up with something -- just be honest and it's ok to turn one down!)

2) GET ORGANIZED. It happens all the time -- you think you have all the bases covered, and then a couple weeks before tour you realize there is an unconfirmed date, or a show without local support etc. Make a list or a spreadsheet of all the dates you are out, keep track of everyone you have contacted, and regularly note the status of each contact.

Hope this helps -- good luck!

[Cockstrong]

Bring a donation bucket to every show. I know it sounds kind of lame, but a lot of kids are willing to pitch in a dollar or two if you talk to them for a while. Every dollar helps when you are on the road.

[theguy77]

hey so i have a question about tour, if i went on a tour i would have no issues with sleeping in the van i mean if tahts what you gotta do its worth it. but i found that some bands avoid that as much as possible by finding hospitality from other people and sleeping on their living room floors? just how difficult is this to accomplish and how would you go about it

[harveyn590]

Although im sure most people stay with other bands, friends, fans, promotors or friends of all these, there is this new site I found, http://www.couchsurfing.com/, which is quite cool and is a network of people who have open couches for you to stay on and are rated by past users. Its pretty cool check it out.

[patrickhowell]

Yeah, I've heard people have really liked couchsurfing.com, but I haven't heard of bands using it...

What we usually do in a town where we don't know anyone is ask whoever is booking the show, in advance, to find us a place to crash. Usually that's no big deal and we end up staying with the promoter or a member of one of the other bands. There's only been a couple times when we had no other option than to sleep in the van.

[xmicxcorex]

Yeah, I've heard people have really liked couchsurfing.com, but I haven't heard of bands using it...

What we usually do in a town where we don't know anyone is ask whoever is booking the show, in advance, to find us a place to crash. Usually that's no big deal and we end up staying with the promoter or a member of one of the other bands. There's only been a couple times when we had no other option than to sleep in the van.


that website is awesome, but i doubt well be using it. We're doing pretty much exactly what you said you guys normally do, and hoping it works out...of course, if we could get all of our dates booked that'd be even better. Fortunately we just got a couple pages of venues and promoters from some friends of ours (From The Pawn- Long Island, NY) so maybe we'll get somewhere now.

[Cockstrong]

We had a band from Florida called Rational Anthem come to WI and play. We bought them pizza and let them stay at my house for the night.

There's always at least one person willing to let you stay on their floor or couch.

[eliselovesmusic]

This wins Best Thread award.

If anyone is at the point of going global: Come to NZ. Yes, we are a tiny nation at the bottom of the world, but if you're planning to play Australia DO NOT MISS YOUR OPPURTUNITY TO PLAY NZ. People are really hospitable here, (feel free to sleep on my living room floor) and you'll be amazed at how dedicated fans are down here. Once you play one decent show, the entire freaking city has your back.

I know that no one's probably planning to do this but come play at Napier - The Cabana is a great venue with the coolest dude running it. I know this probably doesn't help anyone in any way possible, but let me know if you wanna head down under - I'll give ya your own personal kiwi street team haha.

[theguy77]

how do you shower on tour and how often do you typically get to do it?

[remoteCONTROL]

how do you shower on tour and how often do you typically get to do it?

After you get your shows booked, call all of your parents friends who live in those cities and ask to stay the night. Or ask the local bands ahead of time if they know of a place you can crash. Finding places to stay is almost as important as finding places to play. If worse comes to worse and you don't have a free place, have everyone chip in $10 and stay at a motel 6 and share beds. If that doesn't work, bring your own shampoo and hair dryer and find a sink and just wash your hair. Be sure to have ad many people shower the night before though instead of trying to cram it all in the morning. Long drives seem to go smoother when everyone is clean.

[theguy77]

After you get your shows booked, call all of your parents friends who live in those cities and ask to stay the night. Or ask the local bands ahead of time if they know of a place you can crash. Finding places to stay is almost as important as finding places to play. If worse comes to worse and you don't have a free place, have everyone chip in $10 and stay at a motel 6 and share beds. If that doesn't work, bring your own shampoo and hair dryer and find a sink and just wash your hair. Be sure to have ad many people shower the night before though instead of trying to cram it all in the morning. Long drives seem to go smoother when everyone is clean.

right on man i gotcha, i was kind of unsure whether it was feasible or not to ask the people you're staying with if four guys they just met can use their shower haha. but yeah thanks for the advice. this thread is such a huge help.

HEY TRISTAN STICKY THIS SHIT.

[patrickhowell]

right on man i gotcha, i was kind of unsure whether it was feasible or not to ask the people you're staying with if four guys they just met can use their shower haha. but yeah thanks for the advice. this thread is such a huge help.

HEY TRISTAN STICKY THIS SHIT.

Try to take turns with showers when you can... It's usually no big deal for 2 or 3 dudes to shower at each place, and showering every other day isn't awful.

[theguy77]

Try to take turns with showers when you can... It's usually no big deal for 2 or 3 dudes to shower at each place, and showering every other day isn't awful.

tru dat.

[Musformation.co]

Theres great touring tips here at our site everyday @ tourformation.com

[ShShShark]

hey so i have a question about tour, if i went on a tour i would have no issues with sleeping in the van i mean if tahts what you gotta do its worth it. but i found that some bands avoid that as much as possible by finding hospitality from other people and sleeping on their living room floors? just how difficult is this to accomplish and how would you go about it

I gotta be honest, sleeping in the van, although it may not be the IDEAL situation, has been the most fun way to tour for me so far.

There are TONS of places that are traveler friendly. Flying J's, TAs, and Pilots all have wifi, showers (which are a bit pricey but completely worth it), mini convenience shops, even lounges where you can veg out and watch TV. They are pretty much everywhere. Also, all of them are well lit and have designated travelers lots that are well lit and safe. Superwalmarts are also travel friendly.

This has saved THOUSANDS of dollars in hotel fee's on tour, and can be really fun if you make it that way. If you are going to do this, make sure to get a carbon monoxide detector for inside the van, and a few adapters.

Running the van through the night is actually cheaper than any hotel cost by about 70+ dollars.

[theguy77]

I gotta be honest, sleeping in the van, although it may not be the IDEAL situation, has been the most fun way to tour for me so far.

There are TONS of places that are traveler friendly. Flying J's, TAs, and Pilots all have wifi, showers (which are a bit pricey but completely worth it), mini convenience shops, even lounges where you can veg out and watch TV. They are pretty much everywhere. Also, all of them are well lit and have designated travelers lots that are well lit and safe. Superwalmarts are also travel friendly.

This has saved THOUSANDS of dollars in hotel fee's on tour, and can be really fun if you make it that way. If you are going to do this, make sure to get a carbon monoxide detector for inside the van, and a few adapters.

Running the van through the night is actually cheaper than any hotel cost by about 70+ dollars.

sweet man! i wasnt talking about hotels though haha not looking to spend that much money, i meant sleeping on people's living room floors. great advice regarding the times where my band is left to the van though!

[Metal Now]

This is an awesome thread, someone should sticky this right here.

[remoteCONTROL]

i'm not a rep for this site or anything, but they just sent us a message on myspace saying to check it out.

www.indieonthemove.com

probably the best DIY tour booking website i've come across in a long time. it's like byofl.org except with updated information and a gig-swapping section. pretty well organized.

if you guys are trying to swap shows in seattle/tacoma/spokane, hit us up. we've got a lot of the main venues on lock down

[brandnew741]

i'm not a rep for this site or anything, but they just sent us a message on myspace saying to check it out.

www.indieonthemove.com (http://www.indieonthemove.com)

probably the best DIY tour booking website i've come across in a long time. it's like byofl.org except with updated information and a gig-swapping section. pretty well organized.

if you guys are trying to swap shows in seattle/tacoma/spokane, hit us up. we've got a lot of the main venues on lock down

Wow that seems like a really sweet site. A great resource for any band.

[ketch116]

get ready and sign up for diytouring.com

this is gonna be a revolution