When it comes to touring, the first things most musicians worry about carrying is their music gear. After all, you need your instruments, amps, microphones, cables, etc… if you are going to be performing night after night. Even if you are going on a tour in another country and choose to rent those items, you still consider those before anything else. But what about the items you don’t think about? Even with your music gear taken care of, there are still a few items that are absolutely essential now for an independent musician going on tour.
Smartphone
This should be a no-brainer to bring along. Not only does it let you keep in touch with family and friends while you’re gone, but a smartphone gives you portable internet access and apps to help you manage your tour. Sure you can bring a laptop or tablet, but then you have to worry about either bringing a WIFI hotspot or finding a public one to hang out at. A smartphone has a data connection already and for a small extra fee, can be setup to act as a hotspot for your laptop or tablet if you prefer working with a larger screen. Having this sort of internet access let’s you manage touring information, maintain email communications, use map apps to find venues and places to eat, and so on. With a vast multitude of apps available for both iOS and Android, you can surely find something to fill nearly every one of your needs.
Smartphone Chargers & Batteries
While smartphones are extremely useful and great to bring pretty much everywhere you go, the batteries still take time to charge and don’t last for a full day of regular use. Bringing a backup battery pack you can hookup to recharge your phone is a great way to keep yourself connected. There are even phone cases with built-in battery packs so you don’t have to lug a separate one around. Adding a battery pack isn’t enough though since you will have to recharge the phone AND the battery pack. Bringing a car charger, AC charger, and if you want to a solar charger, are other power necessities when carrying your smartphone on tour.
Sleeping Pad or Air Mattress
Unless you plan on splurging for a hotel room every night, you’ll probably be spending most of your nights sleeping in the back of the car or van in a parking lot somewhere. Depending on how much space you’ll have to sleep in will affect your options. If you have room, then I recommend an inflatable air mattress. They’re not that expensive and are quite comfortable (at least more than not sleeping on one in the back of a van will be). While you’re worrying about sleeping comfort, invest in a good blanket or sleeping bag as well. If you’re touring where it gets cold at night, then you’ll be glad to have something to help you stay warm while you sleep. While you’re at it, get yourself a good pillow to bring along as well.
Backup Gear
Ever have a string break or an amp fry during a gig? If not then you’re a very lucky musician. For everyone else, it’s never a bad idea to carry backup gear with you. You don’t want to have to worry about replacing gear between shows and or worse having to stop mid-show because of equipment issues. Don’t let this extend to just your music gear though. Make sure you have a spare tire for your van, backup forms of monetary payments, and so forth.
Extra Suggestion: 24 hour gym membership
Okay now this may seem like the weird one of the group but roll with me. You’re out on the road with limited funds and are trying to justify springing for a hotel so you can get a nice shower. After a few sweaty nights of performing, a nice shower is going to seem wonderful and worth any amount of money. But instead of blowing your hard earned money on hotels, get yourself a membership with a 24 hour gym chain like Gold’s or 24 Hour Fitness. With this you’ll have a place to keep yourself in shape, pool and shower, and a place to park your van at night while you sleep.