Band Tour Manager Job Description
Being a band tour manager may sound glorious in theory, but make no mistake: it takes hard work. While it can be one of the most rewarding of careers, you need to ensure that you know exactly what the job entails. This is an occupation that requires true commitment in order to be successful, so one must be sure that being a band tour manager will fit in well with his lifestyle.
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Background work
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The tour manager needs to do all the necessary background work before even booking the shows. The tour manager needs to know where the tour is going (whether it is international, nationwide, coastal, etc.), how the band is getting there (driving, flying, etc.), where the band is staying, what other staff is needed, and all of the costs involved in making it happen.
Route
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Perhaps the band tour manager's most important duty is planning the tour route. This is the true mark of a good tour manager, as the cohesiveness of the tour depends on the fact that everything is taken care of. The cities and tour dates must be confirmed and directions to each venue must be correct.
The band manager needs to ensure that the venues are equipped with the correct equipment, and that the lighting equipment is sufficient as well.
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Promotion
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The band manager needs to maintain close relationships with the promoters. In order for the shows to be successful and, thus, worth attending, the band manager needs to be sure the promoters are doing everything necessary to draw a crowd. It is also their responsibility to maintain these relationships.
Job skills
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There are many skills necessary in order to be a successful band tour manager, but perhaps the most important is patience. No matter how much time and preparation go into planning the perfect tour, it is almost guaranteed that something will go wrong. The most important thing is to handle things with a cool head, and always have a back-up plan. It is also important for a band tour manager to have good social skills. Since you are going to be dealing closely with promoters and venues, you will need to be able to keep those contacts.
Outlook
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It can seem overwhelming to break into such a large and dynamic industry, but don't let that dissuade you. You may want to start small by organizing tours for local bands, or sitting down with a big-time tour manager to discuss your options. One thing that's helpful to have is connections, and there is no better way to make them than by getting out there and meeting people. Large metropolitan areas offer the most opportunities, so Los Angeles, New York City, and other big cities are a good place to start looking for job opportunities.
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References
- Photo Credit rock guitar isolated on the white background image by Elnur from Fotolia.com
