Why Great Tour Management Is Worth It
You are starting your own tour and you’re wondering whether or not you should invest in a tour management and why some tour managers are much more expensive than others. It is like anything in this world, it comes down to you getting what you pay for. Most artists understand the pressures and logistics that go behind creating a multi country tour. From world class tour directors who tour the biggest bands, DJs and artists around the world, to the tour managers touring small bands and opening acts, here are the things that what makes a great tour manager and why they are worth investing in for your next tour…
Calm under pressure
No matter how long you have planned your tour for or how good a tour manager is, there is always those things that inevitably go wrong. Whether it be delayed flights missing luggage or some one getting sick, there are always those circumstances that are completely unpredictable and are unfortunately, inevitable. A great tour manager knows to stay calm in these situations and have a calculated plan on how to deal with issues as they arise. These issues can be as small as a delayed flight which causes the band to arrive at the hotel later than on the written schedule to being the priest of the tour and helping with the mental health of the artist’s. The best tour managers ensure that their artists are not just physically able to perform but are mentally able to perform. Tour managers act with a clear head and are willing to fix a problem by any means and is proactive when solving problems.
Planning foresight
There is an old saying, “those who fail to plan, plan to fail”, nothing could be closer to the truth when it comes to tour management. It’s not as simple as simply going online and booking accommodation and flights to and from venues and hotels, it is also the little things that will often cause drama when on tour if they aren’t taken into account. These simple and little things include booking a hotel which is too far away from the airport and the venue or booking a flight which ends up being more expensive due to luggage allowances. A great tour manager will also be able to foresee how long things will take in regards to the pre production of a show such as set up and sound check times, knowing that the limits of the bands physically and mentally, and ensuring that the tour has enough rest between performances in order to perform at a high standard for every single show.
Multiple skills
A lot of artists, especially if they are independent, are not a place in their career where they can hire an independent person for each task for their tour These artists may not have the budget for a six to ten person entourage when they tour. Sometimes a tour manager will have to take on the responsibilities of merchandise, videographing, social media and production for the artist on top of their tour management responsibilities.
Negotiation skills
A tour manager is representing the artist when they are on tour whether it’s liaising with hotels, local production or the promoter. The tour manager is responsible for ensuring that contracts are enforced, the artist is performing in a safe environment and the wills and wishes of the artist are represented without the artist getting involved themselves. Sometimes it is up to the tour manager to have hard discussions with other people on the artist’s behalf and having a proactive friendly outlook can do a lot better for an artist than a bull type personality when in negotiations and dealing with disagreements with 3rd parties, venues, production, etc.
Local Knowledge
A successful and experienced tour manager will know all the best places to grab emergency supplies such as medicine, food and other travel supplies on the go. Tour managers will also know local restrictions, regulations and laws based on previous tours they have done. For example, Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, does not allow the passage of tour coaches due to the height. In this scenario, other plans need to be made to ensure that the band and tour crew can get to the airport without having to walk with their luggage. Having this local knowledge is invaluable when travelling and can prevent a lot of stress and heartache when travelling between gigs.
Whether you are just starting out as an artist or you have been touring for some time it is imperative that you choose your tour manager wisely and that you spend the time getting to know them as a person as well as referring to their history and experience. A good tour manager is worth their weight in gold whereas a lazy, drunk or unprofessional tour manager in it for the thrills, can cause you a lot of grief on tour. If you have ever considered going on tour and want some friendly advice or you wish to hire someone as a tour manager drop us a line and contact us or follow us on Linked In