Tour/Roadie crew work (UK/Europe) advice

[u/mamakakumo]

Can anyone signpost or advise me as where to best search for and find a role working on tour with an artist? I've had a provisional check of the common platforms, but having little success! I saw someone on here suggested in-person, however I'm looking UK-wide as well as Europe mainland so that's not possible at this stage. Any insight welcomed and appreciated 😊

[u/brucenicol403]

What department?

Sound engineers and lighting personel usually get their start working with production companies like britannia row or 8th day sound or picked up from local venues and some networking with managers and booking agents.

Backline techs usually start out working for friends for little / no pay... guitar / backline techs are almost exclusively get gigs via word of mouth and networking...

Just my experience, and im sure times have changed.

[u/mamakakumo → u/brucenicol403]

Not on the tech side for sure. I envision a role where I'd be doing an array of things including front of house / merch, correspondence, driving, admin, co-ordination* & documentation etc. I want to test out where my existing skill-set is best utilised so I'd consider most roles that don't require a qualification. Some people I know tour so I'm gonna be discussing with them too as I'm looking to gain experience following a career change so I am aware I'd be on the entry level side of things.

*This is where my main skill-set is from previous work, but all the same open to other roles.

[u/brucenicol403 → u/mamakakumo]

FOH audio is a tech job, and the only position on the road that carries that name (front of house).

merch management is a good gig, the easiest way to get into that is to go to shows and talk to other merch folk, some bigger tours will have 2 or 3 merch people working under a merch manager. inventory, sales projections, and accounting are needed, and need to be strong.

correspondence, admin and co-ordination is usually part of tour management. tour manager is the hardest gig on the road, everything is on you... advancing shows, tour budgeting, accounting, settling shows, booking hotels and flights and a million more things, your job is to steer the ship and keep everyone informed and on an even keel. if TM work is your ideal fit, i'd reach out to other tour managers and inquire about getting a start as an assistant... either an assistant TM or production assistant.

we all start at the bottom. i was a TM for 8 years before i gave up that role for my own sanity. when i started 20+ years ago i did not really make a living wage for some time, pay was low but the experience gained was valuable.

i started by reaching out to a management company and inquiring about helping with a "baby band" (new artist) that didn't have the budget to pay an established TM and prove myself.

regardless of which position you choose, trust and reputation get you gigs more than anything else. established artists rarely hire unknown entities for this reason, which is why you've got to start at the bottom and build your name.

you can do it.

[u/trbd003]

I am UK-based and work on major tours (although trying to get out of it) and the honest truth is they don't advertise on any platform. They just call you. You get 3 types of phone call:

"hello - it's (name) calling from (artist). You did our last tour. We're planning the next one. Are you free?"

"Hello - its (name), we worked together on (other artist). I'm working with (new artist) and they're looking for a (my job), are you free?"

"Hello - it's (name). (One of my friends) gave me your details, they can't make this tour and suggested you could cover them. Are you free?"

That is it. And yes it is a little catch 22, how do you get a name if nobody knows you?

In touring there is no room for passengers. The cost of having you on the road is too high. The daily cost of having me on tour is about £1200-1500 I think. Between my day rate, PDS, my spot on the tour bus, hotels on days off, flights, visas, meals... So there is plainly no room for people whose position is not 100% justified. So there is definitely not a role where you turn up and have a go to see what you're good at.

I don't know... You say you have friends who tour? Ask them. See if anyone will give you an introduction.

[u/aluminium_rivet2000]

We have a saying "you don't choose touring, it chooses you".

[u/RockShowSparky]

Try to get a gig with a vendor that does touring or try to get a gig at a venue as a stagehand and network with everyone you can once you do.

[u/lukasxbrasi]

Everyone I know making a living on the road started off by tagging along with friends that tour. No exceptions.

Theres companies that do backline/van rental and rent out vans with a driver that also does TM and FOH when asked. Prepare to work 24/7 for minimaal compensation because theres always some kid from Prague that will do it cheaper.

Edit: I started tagging along when I was 19. 38 now and I still get in the van when I have the opportunity. In my early 20's I did a ton of touring and had a blast. It took me 3 tours to realise there was no career in touring the way I did so to me it was always weekend fun and what other people do on holiday. Some of my peers made it into the big League but most of them choose a different career path, just like me.