Life on the Road; What They May Not Tell You as a Newbie Musician

You have been sitting by your phone waiting for a very important call. A music producer promised you a spot on an upcoming music promotion tour. The one-month tour will be across five states in a fully decked bus.

And now, the call has come through. You can barely contain your excitement because you know it could be the launching pad for your career.

But, there are certain things you may not know about life on the road. Before you start packing your bags, take a minute to read this article.

It May Be the Beginning of Lifelong Friendships

Life on the road with other musicians can be the beginning of lifelong friendships. Going through the experience of launching a music career is not a step you will take alone.

You will find other aspiring musicians that share your dreams and aspirations. Living in small quarters with other people forces you to appreciate them. Some of the best friendships may have very well started on a tour bus.

You Will Get Excellent Exposure

Music tours are a fantastic way to get exposure for your music. You meet fans from all over and can grow your audience base.

Take advantage of the opportunities to share your music. Get fans to follow you on your website or social media platforms.

Most importantly, learn as much as you can. It is a rare opportunity that you must take full advantage of to get exposure, experience, and endurance.

You Get To See New Places

If you love to travel, you will love the tours. You get to see new places and people. Embrace the opportunity to spread your wings. Create memories that you can share with family and friends when you get back.

You May Get Sick of the Touring

Day one on the tour bus will be so exciting. You will probably want to record every place you go. But soon, it will start to wear thin. The small space may start to feel like a small prison. Forget about any kind of privacy; you will learn to share everything.

Perhaps you have never had to share a room. Now, there are people all around you trying to get in some Zzzzz. Also, get used to sleeping in a moving vehicle. Some people nod right off, and you can only pray to be one of the lucky ones.

You will miss your family and friends and may sometimes wish to throw in the towel. You must also stick to rigid schedules, which are critical for the smooth running of the tours. If you have a challenge with authority figures or following instructions, it may be time for a mindset change.

Coping tips: Always remember that you are on that tour bus for a very specific period. Keep your cool and try your best to get along with everyone. Try and sleep whenever you can so that you do not burnout.

Look for a spot where you can be alone, even if it is only for a short time. Solitude can give you some space to unwind.

You Become Entirely Self-Sufficient

If you are still living at home, you have your parents to take care of you. You may not quite appreciate how challenging life can be. On the road, you do not have the same comforts.

Forget about home-cooked meals, unless, of course, you get a good restaurant. Wearing dirty clothes may be something you have to get used to.

In as much as there is teamwork, you have to do your part. You may have to take on roles that have nothing to do with the music. Carrying equipment, setting up, and cleaning may be things you must all do at the different venues.

Coping tips: Look at it as a learning opportunity. A positive attitude is a good thing to have at all times. Many other aspiring musicians would like a spot on that tour bus.

You Will Develop a Thick Skin

Do not expect positive feedback or reception everywhere you go. You could be a sensation in one place. In the next, the crowd may boo you. Developing a thick skin is something that will help you throughout your career.

There Is a Dark Side to It

The media can lead you to believe that it is all glory and fun on the tours. However, there are some statistics you need to be aware of. Over 60% of musicians have undergone psychological issues like depression while on tour.

Many have had to drop out because they were not able to handle the mental stress. You may have, for example, heard about Zayn Malik pulling out of the One Direction Asian tour. It all became too much to handle.

Forget about fancy hotel rooms and first-class treatment everywhere. Sometimes the budget does not allow it. That tour van could be your home for that month. Going in with a realistic mindset will help you avoid a lot of disappointment.

Some musicians have also taken up unhealthy habits as a way of coping. Drinking, drugs, and debauchery become the order of the day. With so much free time in between performances, boredom, and loneliness can overwhelm some people.

Coping tips: Find productive ways to fill in the time. You could write new music or practice what you already have. The other option is to bring along other types of entertainment. Bring your journal and fill it in with interesting stories that you can share once you get back.

You could also spend more time interacting with your fanbase and acquiring new ones through different platforms as a form of free music promotion. In this way, you’ll be able to be more relatable to people and you can be known for your true self and great music.

Alternatively, bring along some good books to keep you occupied. Download plenty of movies to watch during your free time. If you are a gamer, you will enjoy whiling away the hours on your video games.

Try and find some time to exercise. All that sitting and junk food are not healthy. Some exercises will also relieve boredom and stress.

Ready For That Tour?

Life on the road can be hard, and many musicians can attest to that fact. However, it is a fantastic way to get exposure and build your fan base. A positive attitude and realistic mindset will help you cope better.