Prototype – TOUR TIPS

Here is a new set of Tour Tips from the band, Prototype. You can check them out after the break.

1. Bring Nyquil – You will get sick on the tour bus or in the van.  Germs are everywhere and it is inevitable that you will succumb to them and being sick on tour is miserable.  When you’re sick on tour nothing works like Nyquil to help you get some rest and recover from a cold.  Buy some Nyquil and/or Dayquil tablets and pack them in your suitcase or backpack.  If you run out and Nyquil is not available use Jagermeister as a substitute.  2 or 3 shots and you will be on your way to a good night’s sleep.

2. Bring Hand Sanitizer – Nothing will get you and your bandmates sick faster than interacting with your fans.  Whatever cold, flu, bug, etc. that they have will be passed on through handshakes, hugs, photo ops, etc.  Because you NEED to interact with your fans (especially at the merch booth!), carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket and use it regularly to avoid catching a nasty cold.

3. Bring Baby Wipes – Depending on where your tour is happening and the accommodations (or lack thereof) you may or may not get to shower on a regular basis.  Baby Wipes shouldn’t be used in place of showers, if you have the opportunity, but they are a good way of freshening up in between showers.  They are also handy if the venues you’re playing don’t have toilet paper (it does happen)!

4. Pack Well – Make sure you pack appropriately for the venues you’re playing.  If you know that you will have laundry facilities at the venues you’re playing regularly you can pack light.  If you’re going out for a month and you don’t know what the laundry situation will be, make sure you have enough clothes to last you through the tour.  Most importantly, pack extra socks and underwear, possibly enough for every day of the tour.

5. Know Your Merchandise – This is where you will make most of your money so get to know your merch girl/guy and find out what is selling and what is not selling, both designs and sizes.  Under- or over-ordering merch can kill your profits in the end.  If you need to reorder from the road, make sure you know what to order and order appropriately.  If you’re running low on specific designs/sizes, order only what you need to restock and get through the tour.  If you order too much you will end up with a bunch of dead stock that’s harder to sell when the tour is over.

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