For many bands who are reaching their year anniversaries they are beginning to look at getting on the road and playing in new cities. When it comes to touring there seems to be two major factors that hold bands back; Money and Scheduling. While touring can be fun sometimes it's better to start out by doing weekend warriors.
What is a weekend warrior? It is when a band goes on the road for only a few days to to play a handful of shows in new cities. It is a great way to save money and help ease scheduling for the band. Often the scheduling problem is due to the band member's need to work, which ties back into the money problems. As many who are reading this know first hand, most tours for local bands don't really make money.
While there is not a lot of money in hitting the road, even for weekend warriors, there is a lot of good that comes from it.
1. Learn To Handle Each Other - One thing I hear all the time is being in a band is exactly like being in a relationship, which I find to be quite true. In some ways it is even harder because not only are there more people to deal with in a band you also have to click musically with each other. One big step in seeing if your band can handle being a band is by going on the road with each other, just like when a couple moves in together. You are with everyone in a van or car the majority of the day having to drive through areas that aren't familiar and once you get to the venue you have to work together to unload the van and setup any merch. Even on a weekend warrior you will quickly find which members will butt heads and who has a short temper.
2. Musical Development - When bands begin to tour they start to come across a lot more music of varying styles. Not only do musicians hear lots of new music but they often befriend members of the bands making the music. It is very common for musicians to talk about what they do with each other, sometimes they might even teach each other how to play their songs. One of the best ways to learn new styles and techniques is by getting out and about, which is best done by going on the road.
3. Set Development - Just like musical development, set development is very important. By traveling and seeing the different ways bands from across the country develop their sets you may find new things you want to try in your own band. By having a well thought out set bands can draw in the crowd and create a better energy overall. Whether it be how to intro your band, how to transition between songs, ways to have audience interaction and involvement, or just how to end your set, developing a guideline for your set makes it much more interesting.
4. Networking - When it comes to being in a band you want to always be networking because you never know who might have an amazing opportunity for you. Learn how to meet new people and make an impact so they remember you. Just by playing the venue you are already establishing a relationship with the people who are there that night. So even on a weekend warrior where you play two shows in a three day period, that is a lot of new connections. Always be sure to talk to everyone while on tour, and I mean everyone. Cashiers, waiters, fast food employees, or random people on the street…just learn how to start a conversation with a stranger. You never know who can be a new fan or a big help to your musical career.
5. Learn If Being In A Band Is For You- When it comes to being in a professional band the majority of your time will be spent on the road. If you spend a week on the road and don't really enjoy yourself then you might want to rethink whether this is for you. Just imagine then spending 30 days doing that…or even 8 months of every year. On the reverse, after one week on the road you may find yourself dreaming of being back on the road meeting new people and partying in cities you've never heard of before.
6. Expand Your Fan-Base - This is one of the most obvious reasons to go on tour...get new fans. Just like networking you need to learn how to start talking to people and learn how to introduce your music to them, even if you aren't at a show. When on tour always have CD sampler to hand out for free and have something to instantly sample your songs (easy to do with a smart phone). New fans are lurking everywhere, you just need to make a connection
What is a weekend warrior? It is when a band goes on the road for only a few days to to play a handful of shows in new cities. It is a great way to save money and help ease scheduling for the band. Often the scheduling problem is due to the band member's need to work, which ties back into the money problems. As many who are reading this know first hand, most tours for local bands don't really make money.While there is not a lot of money in hitting the road, even for weekend warriors, there is a lot of good that comes from it.
1. Learn To Handle Each Other - One thing I hear all the time is being in a band is exactly like being in a relationship, which I find to be quite true. In some ways it is even harder because not only are there more people to deal with in a band you also have to click musically with each other. One big step in seeing if your band can handle being a band is by going on the road with each other, just like when a couple moves in together. You are with everyone in a van or car the majority of the day having to drive through areas that aren't familiar and once you get to the venue you have to work together to unload the van and setup any merch. Even on a weekend warrior you will quickly find which members will butt heads and who has a short temper.
2. Musical Development - When bands begin to tour they start to come across a lot more music of varying styles. Not only do musicians hear lots of new music but they often befriend members of the bands making the music. It is very common for musicians to talk about what they do with each other, sometimes they might even teach each other how to play their songs. One of the best ways to learn new styles and techniques is by getting out and about, which is best done by going on the road.
3. Set Development - Just like musical development, set development is very important. By traveling and seeing the different ways bands from across the country develop their sets you may find new things you want to try in your own band. By having a well thought out set bands can draw in the crowd and create a better energy overall. Whether it be how to intro your band, how to transition between songs, ways to have audience interaction and involvement, or just how to end your set, developing a guideline for your set makes it much more interesting.
4. Networking - When it comes to being in a band you want to always be networking because you never know who might have an amazing opportunity for you. Learn how to meet new people and make an impact so they remember you. Just by playing the venue you are already establishing a relationship with the people who are there that night. So even on a weekend warrior where you play two shows in a three day period, that is a lot of new connections. Always be sure to talk to everyone while on tour, and I mean everyone. Cashiers, waiters, fast food employees, or random people on the street…just learn how to start a conversation with a stranger. You never know who can be a new fan or a big help to your musical career.5. Learn If Being In A Band Is For You- When it comes to being in a professional band the majority of your time will be spent on the road. If you spend a week on the road and don't really enjoy yourself then you might want to rethink whether this is for you. Just imagine then spending 30 days doing that…or even 8 months of every year. On the reverse, after one week on the road you may find yourself dreaming of being back on the road meeting new people and partying in cities you've never heard of before.
6. Expand Your Fan-Base - This is one of the most obvious reasons to go on tour...get new fans. Just like networking you need to learn how to start talking to people and learn how to introduce your music to them, even if you aren't at a show. When on tour always have CD sampler to hand out for free and have something to instantly sample your songs (easy to do with a smart phone). New fans are lurking everywhere, you just need to make a connection
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