Quote:
Originally Posted by black_matter
I have no first hand experience in touring, but I would advise a well planned route, a well planned financial sheet that states where, when and how money will be spent and a reliable mode of transport.
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I think you'll find that any money you make from DIY touring will go to petrol, petrol, petrol, so its not really worth planning, as long as you have a money box/keep a record of the money box/aren't an idiot.
Don't rely on AA routefinder, if you can a list of adresses (venues and where you'll be sleeping) and sat nav if you can get hold of one will save A LOT of hassle. A LOT.
Look after your equipment - if you are using decent heads and whatnot, its not really advisable to let other bands use them, unless you don't care and like the idea of trying to find replacement parts, etc.
spare guitars, spare guitar head if you can. spare strings etc obviously.
contact telephone numbers for venues/bands youre playing with - make a couple of copies and make sure your mobile is always charged.
to save money try and avoid always eating in service stations - they will rip you off to the max and make you increasingly hate humanity.
merchandise is a good way to add to your petrol money and obviously getting people to remember you, even if its just a tour cd-r or whatnot.
a good book might save your sanity.
driver gets best bed/floor/etc, as said above.
make sure you have enough sleeping bags etc to keep warm - theres always going to be a threat that you'll end up with nowhere to stay, your transport will break down, b+bs/travelodges are full, etc. not actually done this, but maybe try filling a few hot water bottles before you leave a venue?
make sure you have replacement keys for your car/van etc, so that you aren't stuck in berwick upon tweed for 3 or so hours, on top of leaving stonehaven late and being delayed at rikki's due to insurance, in the horrible cold, with only a mcdonalds to entertain you. a fucking mcdonalds. doing this also means you don't have to pay shitloads to a locksmith, and you get to arrive at a venue for soundcheck, watch other bands, eat tea and not have to go from the van to the stage! hooray!