paThe life of a touring band can be thrilling and adventurous, but there is also a less glamorous side that is not immediately obvious. One of the most important – yet often overlooked – aspects of touring is maintaining and moving gear between gigs. It can be a real challenge to keep instruments, cables, cases, and tech equipment in top condition while moving from venue to venue, but it is of the utmost importance.
Daily Gear Checks & Quick-Fix Maintenance Rituals
First, there are a few daily gear checks and quick-fix rituals that can keep your gear in the best condition. This includes simple things like wiping down instruments after sets and checking amps, pedals, mics, and monitors. It is also wise to test all cables and replace anything that is showing signs of wear, such as crackling and intermittent power.
A “road tool kit” can help you maintain your gear on the road and should include things like tape, batteries, spare strings, fuses, and basic tools.
Smart Packing, Transporting, & Storing Equipment on the Road
Damage often occurs due to poor packing, transport, and storage. This is why you should use hard cases, padded gig bags, and shock-proof flight cases. Heaviest items should always be packed first, while fragile electronics must be protected with nothing loose. Cable management is also essential to avoid tangles and breaks. Touring bands often carry backups of small but crucial components, from adaptors to connectors, to avoid last‑minute technical failures on stage.
Keeping Everything Show-Ready Between Performancesgearp
You also need to make sure your equipment is ready to go when you arrive at the venue. This means labelling equipment for fast changeovers, doing routine cable continuity checks, and scheduling deeper maintenance days during longer tours when there may be a day or two between shows. Additionally, having spare parts and reliable components on the road is vital for any unexpected issues and can provide peace of mind for the whole crew – something you cannot put a price on when touring.
When it comes to playing live shows and touring, you need to make sure you can rely on your instruments and gear night in, night out. This means that you need to know how to maintain, protect, transport, and store your gear safely throughout the door. This is not always easy on a tour when you are constantly on the move, so hopefully this post will offer a few useful pieces of advice for touring musicians and bands so that they can tour with confidence and avoid any disasters on the road.
