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Knowledge Category

Gigging & Touring Logistics

Everything from booking your first local gig to managing a full tour — venues, riders, soundchecks, hospitality, and road survival.

9 articles in this category

The Headline Act Just Dropped Out and You've Been Asked to Step Up

Last minute, the headline band has pulled out of a show and the promoter has asked you to fill the slot. Bigger stage, bigger crowd, more exposure — but no extra budget and almost no time to prepare. How do you handle the opportunity and the logistics?

headlinelast minutepromotion

A Promoter Cancels Your Tour Two Weeks Before It Starts — What Are Your Rights?

Your tour is booked, flights and hotels are confirmed, income was expected — and the promoter has just cancelled. Two weeks out. What are your legal options, what costs can you recover, and how do you protect yourself from this happening again?

promotercancellationcontracts

International Touring: Visas, Work Permits, and What Happens If You Get It Wrong

You've booked international shows — the UK, Europe, the US, or further afield. But touring musicians need work permits, not just tourist visas. Getting it wrong means being turned away at the border, fined, or banned from re-entering. What do you actually need?

touringvisaswork permits

The Venue Changed the PA and Capacity After You Signed the Contract

You agreed to play a 500-capacity venue with a professional in-house PA. You arrive for soundcheck to find it's been downsized to 200 capacity with a substandard system. The promoter is acting like this is fine. What are your options?

venuecontract breachPA

The Venue Won't Pay What They Promised

You played the gig, the crowd was great, and now the venue is lowballing you or outright refusing to pay the agreed fee.

paymentvenuescontracts

Managing Money on the Road Without Going Broke

Tour finances are a mess — unexpected costs are wiping out your earnings and you're returning home with less than you left with.

tour financesbudgetingtouring

The Soundcheck Was a Disaster

You got 10 minutes instead of 45, the monitor mix was terrible, and you had to go on stage feeling completely unprepared.

soundchecklive soundtouring

My Rider Keeps Getting Ignored

You sent a hospitality rider and showed up to find warm beer, no food, and a promoter who never read it.

riderhospitalitytouring

How Do I Get Booked at Better Venues?

You're stuck playing the same small rooms and can't seem to break into bigger or more prestigious venues.

bookingvenuescareer development

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