Many well-loved bands have broken up on tour – Sex Pistols, Oasis, Bon Jovi, Coldplay, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars.. And it’s no wonder. As anyone with the experience will tell you, touring is no piece of cake.
From a lack of showers to money issues to getting lost on the road, getting from A to B to C can be rife with unpleasantness, and even though the consensus is that music makes you smarter, a week in a van with the same people day in and day out might leave you thinking the exact opposite. Indeed, relationships between band members are likely to get a little strained. To avoid this, you’ll want to alleviate the stagnation of the long drive.
Stretch Those Limbs!
It will do everyone good to move around a little, and it’s a good idea to plan in some time for just that. It’s definitely worth checking if you’re in a good area for hiking, or, if the weather allows, swimming. You may even feel up for tackling a rock face. You’ll return to the van tired, but a different (and much more satisfied) kind of tired than you were before – the kind that helps keep the peace between irritable travel buddies.
We Live In A Modern World
And in this modern world, technology is your friend. Have you been thinking of doing a Godfather marathon? Binge-watching Stranger Things, perhaps? After you’ve got a nice bit of exercise, why not wind down to some quality screen time? The hours will pass quickly, and if you’re watching as a group, you can have discussions between episodes.
If you’d rather relax your eyes along with the rest of your body, or perhaps use them for enjoying the passing scenery instead, you could opt for an audiobook or take a chance with the radio.
Make The Most Of Local Know-How
You’ll likely want to celebrate after a good show, but where? Why not ask some of your local fans to show you around? There will be some great spots that don’t show up on tourist websites, and some of the best experiences are the spontaneous ones. If you feel better prepared, though, there are ways to book a local guide beforehand. Either way, you’ll likely end up having a grand time, and perhaps make a few friends to go with the memories.
Courtesy of Sally Collins.
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