Midnight Mob – TOUR TIPS

In this Tour Tips segment, the rock band band, Midnight Mob, give you their tips for being on tour. You can check out the feature, after the break.

1.) One the most valuable things we figured out is the value of an acoustic performance. We’re known for being a high energy rock n roll band but unfortunately you’re thrown curve balls on tour and you need to adapt and own the situation on the fly. If you’re scheduled for a show one way or another you need to sell some merchandise or impress the venue owner for at least some gas money. When we didn’t have a drummer, between the Black Moon & Honest Brutal EP, we were forced to play more acoustically. We went to open mic’s and coffee shops to get our music in front of new audiences that we weren’t normally exposed to. Since we had time on our hands we decided to re-write our material in different keys & vibes. As a result, we were able to increase our options for shows when on tour. If we got to a city early or on an off night we could still get names on the mailing list or sell some merchandise. If we were involved in a festival and an acoustic act dropped off we would be asked to fill in. If a venue had to cancel the show we could do an acoustic set somewhere. We also learned that when you broke your songs down acoustically it massively helped in the songwriting process with new material. Also if you own the acoustic set and you’re not known as an acoustic band you’re given serious pro points & respect.

2.) Don’t forget the reasons why you are on tour. Touring can be expensive and most bands are unable to pull a profit especially if an unknown entity. You’re touring because you need to get your name out there, you need to make new fans, you need to expand your network, you need to make some cash for band expenses, to test your band’s drive and because this could open doors for opportunities to push your career further. You’re not touring to get black out drunk, to get arrested, to have your gear stolen, to die, to have your van stolen, to make enemies or to establish a bad reputation with potential fans, venues, promoters or other bands. In the beginning of your tour life, it’s pretty easy to treat your “tour” as more of a vacation or a party. Touring is a business and you need all hands on deck, everyone needs to respect each other and what’s around them. If you aren’t responsible or respect the elements you will have a horrific result.

3.) Stay positive, band together and just keep swimming. Touring for the first time is like taking a little raft and venturing into the ocean. Things aren’t going to go your own way whether it’s a promoter that mixed up the dates, something wrong with the van or trailer or a horrible performance. When things go south everyone needs to pitch in with a positive fix, be the man own your mistakes and if you have an issue get it off your chest hug and rock. You move forward as one, no man gets left behind. If everyone starts pointing fingers you’re destined for extremely stereotypical musician failure. Who wants to be another statistic? Aggressive behavior and yelling will not help you land an arena show. Everything suffers when a band can’t roll with the punches. Being positive, having a clear focus and drive will work wonders for you. Whiners will be left behind.

4.) If the venue is empty, you play like it’s a packed arena and everyone is there for you. In fact, you throw down harder than ever before. Just because a room is quiet doesn’t mean those people won’t spend $20 each at the merchandise table, won’t tell their friends, won’t subscribe to the mailing list and most important aren’t a tastemaker of some kind or person of unique influence. We have received some of our most lucrative situations when playing for 2 people. It just so happened one of those 2 people ran festivals, was an executive at a mega corporation looking for music or had “ins” with huge venues or other bands. You’ll be surprised at the opportunities that come up from these types of shows. One of our fondest memories was playing OH middle of the week where there was basically an audience of 2. We played hard anyway, one broke his toe rocking out and the other had his pickup towed away during our set. They loved every second of it. That was awesome! Also if no one is there it’s either you didn’t promote it well enough, you’re too new, there’s not enough content out there or maybe your band isn’t as good as you think. Whatever the reason, don’t assume it’s the venues fault and be a sourpuss about it. If anything, shake the promoter, the owner or the sound guy’s hand and say thank you for having us and learn from the situation.

5.) The most important tip of them all beyond setting up your merchandise table or respecting the venue is be safe. Don’t take any unnecessary chances. In a blink of an eye everyone’s life can be turned upside down. We had a run in with totaling our van and got away unscathed, but know others that have died, been arrested or ended up in critical condition. If there’s one thing that will dramatically decrease the horrors is set up a designated driver before leaving a venue or event. This doesn’t just stop at being a sober driver, it also extends to a well-rested driver. The huge perk of traveling overnight is no traffic and saving a bunch of time, but it’s also the time where a driver is most at risk falling asleep. There’s no harm in pulling over and sleeping in a parking lot and getting a few hours. You’ll get to the venue eventually, just take your time and let it happen. After our incident, we used a 2-3 man rotation for driving and if no one felt comfortable we slept in front of the venue and brushed our teeth on the sidewalk. The other tip in regards to safety is to look out for each other and be street smart. You’ll have random people trying to sell you drugs or others looking to start a fight. Don’t be surprised if someone tries to steal your equipment or your van. Remember that when you’re traveling you’re the away team and outnumbered, so don’t piss anyone off.

These are our touring tips. Initially, we were going to keep our tips more on the funnier side from our experiences, but decided to take the more serious perspective because touring is super serious. We’ve seen it all.

Here are 5 useful touring tips on the lighter side:
1.) Truck stops have amazing showers for about $10. Don’t waste your money at a hotel, besides you paid all this money for a van anyway, use it.

2.) If showers aren’t available. Ladies do what Blackey does and lock yourself in a bathroom with one of those big catering pans. De-robe step in the pan and clean up. Just make sure the doors locked.

3.) Just after Halloween, you might have a ton of extra candy lying around, keep it in the van. If you’re sleeping in the van somewhere and a homeless dude knocks on the window for some money at 3AM, give him Halloween candy instead. Homeless people totally accept this as currency and will leave you alone for the rest of the night.

4.) If after a show someone asks you to go into a weird part of the parking lot to drink beers out of his trunk, don’t do it, most likely it’s filled with guns, beer and lifetime channel type of uncertainties.

5.) Invest in a few pairs of super commando hiking socks! If your feet are warm your winter nights sleep in a van will increase gillion fold! Headphones also go a long way if you there are any Snorlax’s in the band.

Happy touring!

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