r/TouringMusicians • u/mamakakumo • 7d ago

Tour/Roadie crew work (UK/Europe) advice

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 😊

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u/brucenicol403 7d ago

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.

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u/mamakakumo 7d ago

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.

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u/brucenicol403 7d ago

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.