How long have you been a Tour Manager? How did you get your start?
I started Tour Managing in about 2003/2004. I got hired on a tour as a FOH engineer and 3 months into the tour, the Tour Manager quit. I had always been interested in the production side of things and wanted to get into it. So I jumped on the opportunity and convinced Management that I could take on both TM & FOH. This was back in my hometown of Montreal, PQ, and the band was a considerably large act over in that market. Hit the ground running and learned so much with that band, from Band/Venue security to insane scheduling, dealing with promoters etc. Was a great experience and haven’t looked back since.
What do People constantly ask you when on tour?
What time is dinner served? Answer: Same as everyday,…5:00 PM!!!
What do you do when you’re off the road, not working?
When I get home, 2 things are an absolute priority: Spend as much time with my family as possible, and sleep. Honestly, I do not spend enough time back home. And as a tour manager, when I am home, there is always a little something to check up on and prepare for the next tour/show. But all in all, its mostly taking in the relax home life. I love cooking; I definitely do a lot of that.
What the best advice you can give to a Tour Manager just starting out?
I recently had an interviewer ask me that, and I’m going say it again. Obviously, being organized, a good sense of accounting, patience, and looking out for the best interest of the artist you are representing. But for Tour Managers and anyone on a touring crew for that matter, it pretty much boils down to your attitude. Attitude is probably the most important part of anyone on the touring party. Everyone is living in tight quarters day in and day out, everyone is working very long hours, and one person with a bad attitude can contaminate the whole tour, fast. And usually the bad apple gets sent home pretty quickly. It’s important to understand the artist you are working for, different artist, different attitudes. And I think attitude comes a long way when dealing with co-workers and also the locals you meet everyday. It happens too many times that I see people treat the local promoters/stage hands / loaders like lesser beings, in the end, whether they know the band or not, whether they look like they care or not, a good attitude will get everyone on your side fast, and “We are all in it together” attitude goes a long way, no reason to make it difficult. And then when someone has a shitty attitude, send him home. No need for that crap.
What’s the best part of the job? What makes you love the road life?
People may think that we are lucky because we travel around the world, and this may sound cliché, but rarely do we get to see any of it except for the tour bus and the venue, every now and then you get a day off in a nice place. But what I really love about the job is seeing a band and it’s team come together and makes a killer show. Going out mid- show and seeing the crowd go nuts is the best. The back and forth the band and the crowd throw each other, and how the production around the whole thing elevates and amplifies it to another level. That’s when I feel we are achieving something awesome.
How is the touring business now, compared to 10 years ago?
10 years ago Master Tour was called Master Tour Database and it was really slow. Ha! 10 years ago, it was about when the whole “Labels aren’t selling records anymore” thing happened and bands quickly realized that touring was the best way to make a living. Whether that concept is true or not (debatable), it makes for a lot more tours going out, and a faster evolution of the industries infrastructure and technology. Also, as far a tour promotions go, the cost value of traditional outlets like radio to promote shows are definitely not as important as they used to be due to the rise in social network. Today, we travel with photographers and videographer that continuously capture the bands experiences on stage and off, and upload it to social media. That is definitely something that is way more important than 10 years ago.
Have the responsibilities of a Tour Manager changed since you’ve been in the business?
Not really I don’t think, different acts have different structures here and there. But essentially, I think it’s pretty much the same. “Look out for the bands best interest”, never loose that focus, there is no other reason you are out there. I am definitely a different Tour Manager from when I started, but I think that applies to anyone that is in a profession that wants to always learn more and better him/herself at what they do.
How has technology changed the way that you do your job?
It has definitely made it easier. Master Tour is a perfect example of that. I don’t remember last time I have printed an actual paper tourbook. Wrapping up the Tourbook, Guestlists, even Accounting. It definitely helps have everything in one spot. And having the whole touring party on it is great. Schedules are synced and are on everyone’s phones, makes communication so much more easier and efficient. And then you have everything else, FaceTime, Skype, money transfers etc. And there is always something new coming out that can help manage things better and more efficiently.
What’s the biggest misconception in your opinion about the touring lifestyle?
Again, I don’t mean to sound cliché, but a big misconception is that touring with bands, means that we get to travel and party with the rich and famous. That’s it glamorous. For those of us who call ourselves professionals, this is a career and it takes a lot of hard work, and glamour is not why we are doing what we do. I think people imagine touring with bands means traveling in private jets, sipping mimosas, eating 5 star Michelin meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Although that may happen on the rare occasion (and if it does its more than likely for logistical reasons), we spend most of our time on buses and in venues with no windows, for 12 to 16 hours a day, and for days on end. You do this because you love music, you do this because it’s a calling. It takes a certain type of person to; leave their loved ones for a extended amount of time; to being a adult that decides to go out for 10 months a year and live with 10-100 room mates, for what is in the end, the drive to make it all work and to make the show the best it can be. If you’re in it for the glamour… man I’m sorry but you’re in for a long ass tour.