Expectations & reality

This is something bands experienced in touring already know and this chapter is mostly here for the bands which are new in this job.

It is normal to expect a lot from tour. Full venues, great atmosphere, lot of money earned and everything else what rock’n’roll life gets.

Watch out guys…reality will override you like a steamroller. That sentence above works, but only for a ‘big guys’.

If you expect 100-200 people on your show, it is most likely that you’ll have 10-20 people in venue. Shocking isn’t it? But there are million bands just like yours outside, and you have to ask yourself, ‘who do hell know about us, out of our backyard’?

Ok, maybe I am too harsh, and you are really good band and even has some level of popularity in countries you’re going to visit. So, what else can happen?
Let’s look at your tour dates. Hell, it is only one weekend in your whole 10 days tour, and other days are stupid working days when most people are at home and don’t go on concerts. But let suppose that you’re good enough to attract people even on a working days. What else can happen?
Rain, snow and other natural and unnatural disasters, or some well known band could play in the same city on the day or within few days of your gig etc. There are many things which can throw your hopes in garbage can in a split second.

But guys, that’s the essence of touring. There are lot of good and bad days and you must live with it. There is a big chance that first few tours you’ll suffer from the loss of money, and that is normal phase of bands growing up.

If you are persistent and stubborn enough, some day you can be one of ‘big guys’ with full venues, great atmosphere, lot of money earned and everything else what rock’n’roll life gets.