Plan To Book A Tour

Want the world know about your band? Booking a tour is the best way to do it. We will help guide you through the process.

Booking a tour is very similar to booking a local show but there are other factors when planning your tour such as where to perform in a new town, persuading promoters to book you without local press, and money management. Most bands lose money on tour but if you are cleaver and thrifty you can book a tour that will leave you with a little green. Booking a tour is an art form—learn from your peers and resources such as this blog and your will be an expert at booking a tour in no time.

1. Calculate your band’s budget

How are you going to finance the tour? Make sure that everyone in the band is on the same page about this. When you book a tour communication is key.  Have an emergency fund in case your van breaks down or equipment gets stolen. Even if you get guarantees, some promoter along your tour is likely to weasel out of paying you and leave you high and dry for cash.  Don’t rely on your shows for your survival. Calculate the funds you would need to do the entire tour without getting paid and then save up that much money before going. Anything you make will be a plus and you can use it to record once you get home.

2. Plan Your Route

Unless you are filthy rich or extremely well known, shorter distances between shows are best when you book a tour. Try to play as many small towns as possible and don’t overextend yourself to make it to any specific city on a short allotment of time. Long drives will wear your band down and make touring much less pleasurable. Book a tour with the most shows in the shortest distance possible. This will give you more time out in the towns you are playing to actually spread the word about your band. Obviously, you will want to play music in cities where your band is well known or has good press. Make calculated judgments.

3. Pick A Time For Your Tour

Scheduling band practices can be hard—finding a time the whole band can leave town for a few weeks or months is even harder. Agree on dates before you do anything. It is best to start booking a tour at least 3-4 months in advance. Chose a route and know when you want to be in each city. Venues respond best if you ask for very specific dates. There will often be times when a venue says they do not have the date you asked for available but they can do the day before or after. You will need to be a little flexible with your timing but having a solid plan to start from will save many headaches.

3. Do Your Venue Research

Check where comparable bands play their music when touring through the towns you are planning on hitting up. Take advantage of the Internet. Look up the show listings before wasting your time with any venue. If you are an indie pop band and they only book screamo shows then don’t waste your time. Even if you manage to get a show at a mismatched venue fans will be unlikely to find you there. In most towns particular music scenes are attached to specific venues.

4. Book Your Band’s Shows

Setting up shows in other cities is much like booking them in your own town. However, you are less likely to have a draw so you will not be able to ask for the same guarantees you do back home. If you have no fans in a city then you shouldn’t expect to get a guarantee at all when booking a tour in the United States. People are more likely to take chances on booking a band abroad. If you do have some draw in a city it is best to get the show set up with the venue first and then request the guaranty once they are already intent on booking your band. Read successful booking emails before writing yours. The best ones are short and quickly point the booking agent to a place that they can hear your music easily. Bookers get hundreds of booking emails a week and don’t have time to read a long bio before judging your band. If you make it wordy they are likely to be turned off before ever giving your band a chance.

Good luck booking your tour. Bookmark this Book A Tour blog. We add more advice daily.