Guide to getting and playing better gigs
Touring In Europe
It's not uncommon for British bands, even those on small record labels, to attract interest outside the UK. quite quickly. Should you be offered any gigs or tours abroad, here's some basic advice. This may seem obvious, but ensure that all members of the band have current passports! The tour or engagement should be covered by a written contract (in English) and this contract should be vetted by, for example, the Musicians Union's National Office. It would be difficult for anyone to assist you in recovering any unpaid fees, either by legal action or Trade Union representation, if they haven't seen the contract in the first place. Fees should never be less than those paid in the U.K. for similar performances. If you're working with a new Promoter it's wise to ask for some sort of deposit in advance and further payments should be made promptly during the tour at the times specified in the contract.
All travelling expenses from the UK. to the country abroad, in that country and return must be paid by the Promoter. Once again, it's wise to try and get these pre paid. Accommodation is normally provided by the Promoter and where this consists of bed and breakfast, an additional subsistence payment should be paid to each musician. These payments are commonly referred to as Per Diems and should not be less than £50 per day. Work permits are required in all non-EU countries. The responsibility for fixing work permits rests with the Promoters of the tour in the country abroad, but you should ensure that permits have been granted before leaving the UK. Be warned! Many bands have been turned back by immigration officials for not having work permits.
There's always the possibility of illness or accident during the time you're abroad and you should therefore ensure that you're covered for medical treatment. For full details of medical services available in other countries you should contact International Services on 0645 254811 (local rate) or 0191 225 4811. If you're travelling out by van it's sensible to join the AA/RAC/GREENFLAG and take advantage of their free advice on motoring abroad.
Finally, if you're taking along your favourite AC30, etc, ensure that you have information concerning plugs, power supply and all things electrical for the countries you'll be visiting.
A FEW WORDS OF ADVICE
"The more things you take, the less you’ll use them."
"Don’t take a frigging thing with you, just the clothes on your back. I once went an entire tour without taking my shoes off. It makes it quicker and easier to leave the next morning."
"For the guys, use the women’s bathroom if you have to…they’re cleaner, but the graffiti is dirtier."
"Be a tourist. Get to the next town a little early and see the sights. Do something un-rock, like going to a museum or park. You might remember it more than the gig."
"Cops are out there to make a bust, and they’ll lie to do so…."
"Wear black, it looks clean the longest."
"If you want to be remembered at all, put on a f***ing show! It doesn’t matter if there are four or four hundred people there. Be loud. Break shit. Jump up and down. Freak out….most important, have a GOOD TIME! No one remembers the humble, the quiet, or the polite."
"If the band can survive each other’s smells, habits, mood swings and still make it back home without breaking up, then anything is possible. If you can’t, then you'll never make it to the million dollar record deal because that’s where the problems really start."
"There’s nothing like four weeks of load-ins, loud-outs, hangovers, and shitty shows to turn a band into a well-oiled rock machine. The best gig you'll ever play will be your home-coming gig. The band will never sound better than that first gig back from tour."
"Remember, no one back home will know how pitifully the tour went. Everyone will take your band more seriously, including club bookers and other bands."