September (Delia): Ten Tour Hacks for Musicians (Who Want to Stay Sane)

Finding Rhythm in the Chaos of Life on the Road

I used to be awful at touring. Terrible. 

That may sound like a strange thing to qualify, but over a decade later, I have come to learn that being on tour - enjoying it and coming out in one piece mentally and physically on the other end - is a skill in itself that needs to be wrapped around “the music”. Touring is an addictive adventure of highs, people and places but it also comes with what I can only describe as emotional and physical “hangovers”. And as designated percussion van driver, I don’t mean from drinking. 

Back in the Day

I once abandoned a beautiful hotel because I got so lonely in that fancy room on a solo concerto tour across Germany. When you are the soloist, the orchestra are a) busy rehearsing an intense schedule of multiple programmes b) don’t hang out with you kind of by some hierarchical default c) you perform an Olympic-level task every few days for 30 mins, and then exit - alone - to an empty backstage. 

On that tour I ended up going CouchSurfing (where you stay with local hosts for free). It was brilliant - a member of my host family came to every concert and gave me a standing ovation. We’d spend the whole morning jamming on the balcony, and my free days were spent having barbecues and being shown around.

I’ve since worked on my coping strategies. Here are ten tips for anyone who is away from home a lot:

1. The “three-sandwich day”

In the UK it is so easy to eat processed food from the supermarket. And a day out can have a treat in it, until it is every day. It is easy to develop an iron deficiency or spend your fees on restaurant food - which gets rich and understimulating after a while. 

Tips:

• Double bagged dried fruit and nuts (because no one wants a peanut crumble at the bottom of their bag). 

• Oat biscuits (never go off) - super filling emergency snack for the “hangry” amongst us

• Freezer meals with an ice pack and an elastic band

• Breakfast: Instant oat packets - just add water, nick a piece of fruit from the rider, add the nuts

• Travel tea bags in packets

2. Exercising on tour

Back problems?  If you lift percussion all day, you have to have a strong core. This travel yoga mat folds up so small I can get it in my rucksack. I do these Pilates videos every day on tour (OK, mostly every day). 

I always have a separate exercise outfit, a pair of trainers and a swimming costume that specifically live in my touring suitcase. 

3. Packing strategically 

   - Don’t repack a toiletries bag every time where you have to transfer across the tooth brushes from your house - have a separate set of everything so you can just grab and go

   - Boots mini toiletries bottles are your friend - and all refillable

   - Mini travel hot water bottle - sorts out a sore muscle or a cold hotel room

   - Travel clothes steamer

   - Suitcase divider bags to avoid an immediate floordrobe (hands up - that’s been me)

4. Identity outside the tour

It can get claustrophobic and one-dimensional fast. Reading, exercise routine, journal, gratitude diary, walks - find some natural light everyday. 

5. Don’t stop Practising

I have noticed that I have sometimes become worse at my instrument on tour because there is a difference between playing and practising. Suddenly realising that I am over-gripping or tensing to “make” something happen because my technique is slipping or only ever playing under immense pressure have forced me to change this up. Now every soundcheck and warm-up (see below) is a practice opportunity. And I always have a practice pad and a pair of drumsticks with me. 

6. Alone Time

You may love your bandmates. But the amount of time you spend together - where you practically live together - means you go beyond friendship into a family dynamic. No matter how lovely they are, they are always there.Take a breather. I am at heart an introvert who grew up in the countryside who definitely needs to recharge alone.

7. Energy 

Touring is EXHAUSTING. I often get home and basically have the equivalent of a hangover which sends me horizontal. Embrace the rest.

Nowadays I don’t always drive home - I get the hotel room, even if I need to pay for it. I once drove 17 hours in 3 days with a solo recital, a BBC Singers gig and an orchestral gig in it and I absolutely broke. 

8. Naptime

   Swap out coffee for naps. I am a shameless napper. No matter how rock-n-roll the green room is, I’m taking one. 

9. Finding the Energy on stage every night. 

When you are on a tour of 15-20 shows, how do you get the same energy every night, even when you have tour flu, are knackered, or might just not be in the mood?

My routine:

• 20 minutes: Dinner - I find fish is best for onstage energy.

• 30 minutes: Naptime! Black-out eye mask and ear plugs.

• 20 minutes: A cup of tea, make up, get changed - listen to a podcast.

• 20 minutes: My warm-up isn’t scales and rudiments on autopilot..

Instead, I listen to a playlist of tunes that makes me fall in love with music and play along to them. When you hear music you love, it makes you want to dance and your stimulated brain sends blood to your extremities, which is pretty handy for musicians. When you go on stage, you should be in love with music and carry that energy to the audience. 

10. The Live Experience 

    - Trust the adrenaline - it is a temporary illness or tiredness cure and it is your friend.

    - Take every night seriously and don’t take your concentration for granted.

    - Don’t let the gig become a caricature of itself as you strive to recreate moments from previous nights.

    - Play to the acoustic of the room.

    - Learn the sound and lighting engineers’ names - thank them at the end. I once went to a gig where they even thanked every volunteer usher in the room by name; respect. 

    - The gig is not just the gig - it is the whole lifestyle you have created around it that day.

Every day is a school day - leave a comment if you have any touring tips for me!

Delia x