packing for tour: a nervous guide
packing for tour: a nervous guide
hi friends!
sean here.
our fall tour is a month away and there’s a mountain of things to do.
on top of all of our normal responsibilities, we’re adding…
– polishing the set,
– coordinating our crew and the openers,
– finishing the album launch,
– preparing merch,
– getting our live gear dialed in,
…all while trying to maintain our sanity.
luckily, we’ve learned a lot from last year’s tours and while it’s still a bunch of work, we’re getting better at streamlining the process of preparing.
take packing for instance. after 3 long runs last years, i came back with a list of,
“THINGS THAT I CAN’T FORGET FOR THE NEXT ONE OR ELSE I’M GONNA HAVE A BAD TIME.”
documenting it here for prosperity…
1. for christ’s sake bring your own pillow, sean.
duh. maybe this wouldn’t bother everybody, but idk what i was thinking going months at a time with a different pillow every night.
tour will fuck with your head (literally in my case) and waking up in a different city everyday can be so disorienting. it can be tough to get good sleep.
bringing old trusty gave me something familiar every night and i slept so much better and sleep is precious with how jam packed the schedule is.
2. i have to find a way to “clean” my clothes.
i can only pack so much and we rarely have a chance to do laundry. i think we got lucky on the second tour last year and got to do our laundry twice!
i naturally moaned and complained when we got back and my wonderful partner shared an old theater trick with me…
vodka in a spray bottle will quickly “sanitize” your clothes and putting some essential oil in there can really go a long way. who woulda thunk?
not super ideal for the sober musician, but it makes me smell less like onions and more like a eucalyptus tree which is good i guess. i never liked vodka anyway.
i was always partial to tequila as demonstrated by the old pic below…
duh. maybe this wouldn’t bother everybody, but idk what i was thinking going months at a time with a different pillow every night.
tour will fuck with your head (literally in my case) and waking up in a different city everyday can be so disorienting. it can be tough to get good sleep.
bringing old trusty gave me something familiar every night and i slept so much better and sleep is precious with how jam packed the schedule is.
2. i have to find a way to “clean” my clothes.
i can only pack so much and we rarely have a chance to do laundry. i think we got lucky on the second tour last year and got to do our laundry twice!
i naturally moaned and complained when we got back and my wonderful partner shared an old theater trick with me…
vodka in a spray bottle will quickly “sanitize” your clothes and putting some essential oil in there can really go a long way. who woulda thunk?
not super ideal for the sober musician, but it makes me smell less like onions and more like a eucalyptus tree which is good i guess. i never liked vodka anyway.
i was always partial to tequila as demonstrated by the old pic below…
3. i need a packing gameplan.
i get anxious picking my clothes for a day, let alone packing for a 6 week road trip.
it can be terrifying packing the day before we leave and worrying all night about forgetting something essential. i knew i needed a strategy.
i’m a neat freak, so keeping my stuff organized became an important mission in addition to making it less stressful.
having a messy bag can be so annoying, especially a few weeks in when you’re a literal zombie and don’t have time to be constantly searching for your stuff.
sooo, i started to divide the tour into three legs and vacuum sealed each third of my clothes in separate bags so i would have a fresh set after every two weeks.
call me a nerd, but it worked great! it saved a bunch of room and i was also able to seal up my old clothes after pulling out the new ones to minimize the stink factor.
this upcoming tour is a long one, so i may split it up into 4 parts and have a new set every 1.5 weeks. oh, and for bonus points…i’m putting dryer sheets in all my bags cause when your smell game is on point, you’re on point.
4. i need to figure out what i’m wearing on stage.
coordinating 5 people to not look like dweebs on stage is hard enough as it is. doing it on the fly every night almost never works.
figuring out a static stage outfit helped to eliminate day-of-show stress and decision making. i just kept my stage clothes in the front pocket of my bag and never had to worry about picking something out.
we all decided to pick one to three stage outfits to keep things simple after trying to switch it up every night like the first tour. it’s like a uniform of sorts and takes more off my plate than i expected.
we have a look-book going for this year. we’ve been floating around a 90’s theme. like, things that remind us of this… i can’t wait!
i get anxious picking my clothes for a day, let alone packing for a 6 week road trip.
it can be terrifying packing the day before we leave and worrying all night about forgetting something essential. i knew i needed a strategy.
i’m a neat freak, so keeping my stuff organized became an important mission in addition to making it less stressful.
having a messy bag can be so annoying, especially a few weeks in when you’re a literal zombie and don’t have time to be constantly searching for your stuff.
sooo, i started to divide the tour into three legs and vacuum sealed each third of my clothes in separate bags so i would have a fresh set after every two weeks.
call me a nerd, but it worked great! it saved a bunch of room and i was also able to seal up my old clothes after pulling out the new ones to minimize the stink factor.
this upcoming tour is a long one, so i may split it up into 4 parts and have a new set every 1.5 weeks. oh, and for bonus points…i’m putting dryer sheets in all my bags cause when your smell game is on point, you’re on point.
4. i need to figure out what i’m wearing on stage.
coordinating 5 people to not look like dweebs on stage is hard enough as it is. doing it on the fly every night almost never works.
figuring out a static stage outfit helped to eliminate day-of-show stress and decision making. i just kept my stage clothes in the front pocket of my bag and never had to worry about picking something out.
we all decided to pick one to three stage outfits to keep things simple after trying to switch it up every night like the first tour. it’s like a uniform of sorts and takes more off my plate than i expected.
we have a look-book going for this year. we’ve been floating around a 90’s theme. like, things that remind us of this… i can’t wait!
5. how can i not get sick this time???
one of the hardest things on tour is someone in the crew getting sick. and it’s almost inevitable. i think it’s happened on every tour we’ve been on.
* some of you may have heard the story of us having to leave our sick little roadie, jordy, behind in columbus because he just couldn’t make it to chicago that day. *
one of the hardest things on tour is someone in the crew getting sick. and it’s almost inevitable. i think it’s happened on every tour we’ve been on.
* some of you may have heard the story of us having to leave our sick little roadie, jordy, behind in columbus because he just couldn’t make it to chicago that day. *
we already have a bare-bones crew, so if just one person is out of commission it can really throw a wrench in the operation.
everyone has their own regimen for keeping their immune system at peak performance, but you really need a little extra when you’re hugging hundreds of wonderful fans (and some strangers) a day for 50 days straight. the numbers are just stacked against you.
i’ve learned that lots of sleep, vitamins (A and C, and D mostly), and eating healthy are my number ones after some trial and error.
so we keep a community stash of vitamins in the van and we try to eat the least amount of gas station snacks and taco bell as possible (sometimes you just gotta).
if we’re ever lucky enough to have our rider fulfilled at a venue, it usually looks like a whole foods health aisle. i’ve always wonder if other bands are like this.
for this fall run, i’m at least gonna make sure i have one consistent breakfast item to start my days off right. it was the hardest meal to make consistent last year. not sure what it will be yet and i’m open to all suggestions btw.
i’m also packing some anti-nausea this time because van-sickness is very real for the first couple of days until you adjust.
hopefully, i’m set to have my healthiest and happiest tour yet!
i’m also packing some anti-nausea this time because van-sickness is very real for the first couple of days until you adjust.
hopefully, i’m set to have my healthiest and happiest tour yet!
with that list, i think i’ve got the functional/practical covered this time around, so now i’m thinking of how to bring some magic with me.
our tours are so special and i can’t even describe how it feels to see the folks who come out to see us night after night. i want to document my time on the road more and make it equally as special for the people i see along the way.
when i think about it, tour goes by a lot quicker than i realize every time and i want to be prepared to make the most of it.
SOME LESS PRACTICAL AND MORE MAGICAL THINGS ON MY LIST FOR THIS GO AROUND INCLUDE:
our tours are so special and i can’t even describe how it feels to see the folks who come out to see us night after night. i want to document my time on the road more and make it equally as special for the people i see along the way.
when i think about it, tour goes by a lot quicker than i realize every time and i want to be prepared to make the most of it.
SOME LESS PRACTICAL AND MORE MAGICAL THINGS ON MY LIST FOR THIS GO AROUND INCLUDE:
1. disposable cameras
brendan surprise-bought some for the fall tour last year, and it was so fun to get them developed when we got back.
plus, it’s way more cool than taking phone pics. something about the click and wind is so nostalgic to me.
it would be rad to try to get as many pictures with the rat-fam as possible and put some sort of collage together after the tour. something like the scrapbook y’all put together and sent us. every show is its own unique experience and i want to share the memories from each stop with everyone.
i’m sure you saw some of these, but just in case…
brendan surprise-bought some for the fall tour last year, and it was so fun to get them developed when we got back.
plus, it’s way more cool than taking phone pics. something about the click and wind is so nostalgic to me.
it would be rad to try to get as many pictures with the rat-fam as possible and put some sort of collage together after the tour. something like the scrapbook y’all put together and sent us. every show is its own unique experience and i want to share the memories from each stop with everyone.
i’m sure you saw some of these, but just in case…
2. thank you notes
you all have to be the sweetest, most supportive group of friends a band could ask for and i often feel like there is no way to sufficiently thank all of you.
if i can find the time this go-around, i want to bring some sort of stationary to give out little physical thank-yous to show my gratitude.
just a little something personal for when i feel like someone goes out of their way to be nice to us, but we only have a little window to talk.
i feel so much love when we’re on the road and i want to make sure y’all feel it back, even if its just a little note.
3. a tour journal that i actually write in
i normally have an abundance of feelings, but everything seems amplified on the road for some reason.
it’s kind of a whirlwind of emotions and feels like every move we make on tour feels so important. not just for us, but for everyone we interact with.
i think it’s important for me to get some of it out of my head and onto paper so that i can reflect and grow in a way that is going to make my time on the road more and more meaningful.
i also just think it’s helpful for me to write things down as a way to stay consistent and grounded as the tour flies by.
you all have to be the sweetest, most supportive group of friends a band could ask for and i often feel like there is no way to sufficiently thank all of you.
if i can find the time this go-around, i want to bring some sort of stationary to give out little physical thank-yous to show my gratitude.
just a little something personal for when i feel like someone goes out of their way to be nice to us, but we only have a little window to talk.
i feel so much love when we’re on the road and i want to make sure y’all feel it back, even if its just a little note.
3. a tour journal that i actually write in
i normally have an abundance of feelings, but everything seems amplified on the road for some reason.
it’s kind of a whirlwind of emotions and feels like every move we make on tour feels so important. not just for us, but for everyone we interact with.
i think it’s important for me to get some of it out of my head and onto paper so that i can reflect and grow in a way that is going to make my time on the road more and more meaningful.
i also just think it’s helpful for me to write things down as a way to stay consistent and grounded as the tour flies by.
i am getting so excited about this one. new songs, new cities, new band members, new crew members and a bunch of experience to make the hard things about making it all happen not so hard anymore.
i’m coming into fall with a gameplan and a focus that i feel like i couldn’t quite get last year.
i don’t want to just play the shows, i want connection to the people that see what UTR is trying to do and i want to spread the special feeling i get from that connection to everyone.
so for those who have their tickets, i cannot wait to share in the magic with you. i’m so ready to reconnect with folks i met last year and to make a bunch of new friends as well.
and for those of you who haven’t got tickets yet, this one is going to be special and we would love to see your beautiful face and head at one (or more) of the stops.
if anyone can think of any other useful tips or things you want out of this tour or if you just want to say hi, please comment below.
TWD, Sean
i’m coming into fall with a gameplan and a focus that i feel like i couldn’t quite get last year.
i don’t want to just play the shows, i want connection to the people that see what UTR is trying to do and i want to spread the special feeling i get from that connection to everyone.
so for those who have their tickets, i cannot wait to share in the magic with you. i’m so ready to reconnect with folks i met last year and to make a bunch of new friends as well.
and for those of you who haven’t got tickets yet, this one is going to be special and we would love to see your beautiful face and head at one (or more) of the stops.
if anyone can think of any other useful tips or things you want out of this tour or if you just want to say hi, please comment below.
TWD, Sean
Can’t wait to see you beautiful people again!!!!
Can’t wait for 3 of the best hugs ever!
I have a care package ready for you!
See you soon!
I’m so excited to see you all again! Thoughts on consistent breakfast… You might look into Multigrain bars of some sort or oatmeal bars. They travel well, are fairly inexpensive, and they sit with you for a decent bit while providing some fiber that I’m certain your body could use. Lot’s of love, friend! See you all in September!
The PILLOW!!! it’s a must if I can bring my own, it makes such a difference on the shorter trips I go on, I can’t imagine on your long trips. I absolutely have to make packing lists with everything on them, I even redo them for repeat trips, for my lifting events I keep trying to streamline it every time both for the stuff and food/snacks I’m able to take. it keeps getting better and at least taking away some of the stress.
I had elderberry for immunity (I have chewable tablets) suggested to me awhile back and add them in when my schedule is going to be crazy, I have an event coming up, etc. I think they help, and zinc then if I do get sick to help it pass faster.
Can’t wait to see you all sooooooooon!! OH! And a local pizza shop has been helping feed bands as they come through and made more of an official thing of it, if you’re interested when you’re in Cleveland, I’ll be glad to get you info.
With my years of experience as a Jewish Momma, the very best thing to keep you all healthy is a big batch of home made matzoh ball soup! If you are so inclined between your detroit and indy gigs, I would very much welcome you to my new apartment in the Dayton, OH area, which is not far at all from the I-75/I-70 junction where you will most likely be turning toward Indiana from Ohio anyway. I will fill your bellies with the best Jewish penicillin in the midwest 🙂
Can’t wait to see you guys live for the first time tho I could only make it to one location cause yay college. Tbh I’ll probably end up crying hah! 💙
I can’t wait to see y’all in Charlotte!
🙌 cant wait!!! you’re inspiring 💛twd
I travel for work (as I think you guys may know😬) and always used to travel with a silk pillowcase. It’s Supposed to be good for your face and stuff but more so, antibacterial. I used to get pretty freaked out thinking that there’s just a thin layer of fabric between me and potentially someone else’s drool. 🤣
Vacuum bags are the shit! They’re the only way I made it through a week of tour dates with my friends in the UK earlier this year. You see, I’m that person that packs 3 potential outfits for every day I’m gone because I don’t know what I’m gonna be in the mood to wear. Between those and packing cubes. My suitcases are always super neat and tidy. So get packing cubes if you haven’t already.
Other things I have with me in every hotel- bath poofer (1 for each stop), sometimes bath bombs (No, I’m not afraid to take a bath in a hotel tub as long as it looks ok), extension cord (You never know how far away the plug is going to be from the bed), tea bags and hot chocolate packets, (I hate coffee and if I want something warm, that’s super easy), my own big bar of soap (I hate the tiny ones and some hotels don’t even have bars anymore, just bottles of body wash), my Yeti (even if there’s no refrigerator in the room, you can still have a cold beverage anytime), my own lotion, and I also always have a little pack of random shit like bandaids, DayQuil, NyQuil, Zzquil, sunblock, tums, salt, wet wipes, hard candy, excedrin…and just like any weird stuff you only need once a year but you never know when that’s gonna be. I’m a weirdo. 🤷🏻♀️
I’d say your rider is perfect. I have bunches of musician friends and most of theirs are filled with various beers and liquors and maybe a bag of chips or a hummus platter. 🤣 All you’ve done is substituted actual food for that and I think that’s great.
Can’t Wait to see you all! The idea of traveling with a pillow is such a fantastic idea, by the way. Never thought about it but it is something I will need to consider if my partner becomes a travel nurse.
So many things I want comment on!!! The pillow is so unexpected but COMPLETELY understandable! Indecisive clothes picking is so relatable too!!
Writing is SO THERAPEUTIC. Don’t get stuck doing just one style either. Initially I think of writing everything on my mind… but you can also bullet point if your brain is going too fast. You can even write short stories! It can be of yourself, but it can be helpful to write a story about whatever is in your head.
Lastly — I’m interested in Casey’s bag in the last picture, im dying to know what it is xD
I always bring my own pillow or two! Definitely makes me more comfortable.
I like the idea of the shrink packing. Smart idea Sean.
I get anxiety about packing and forgetting something. It usually causes me to over pack a bit.
Last year Casey wrote me a personal note on a poster and I never got it back from the merch person who held for me. It made me so friggin sad! Anguished ! I’m going to make an effort to protect anything and everything that you guys hand me. I will not let anyone else hold onto them for me.
I can’t wait to see you! I can’t wait to meet everyone!
One important thing, stay hydrated. Always keep plenty of water around. Bring it with you so it isn’t something you need to ask for or search for. If it’s readily available at all times, you’re less likely to get dehydrated. Dehydration causes so many issues people don’t realize could have been prevented by simply staying hydrated, including fatigue and headaches and yes, even nausea!!
Love you,
Jill
Dear Sean,
I totally understand your nervous excitement at this point. And your concerns about avoiding illness on tour. I found keeping my hands clean and avoid using them to put anything in my mouth unless I just washed them. This always helps me keep from catching something.
I have nearly 700 hours of unused sick time because of my OCD hand washing.
I also found if a family member or coworker has been sick I take Airborne Immune Supplement tablets to help prevent me from catching a cold or flu.
Anyway I think you did a great job of connecting with me when I met you back in November last year. So just continue to be yourself and I think we’ll all look forward to our time together this upcoming tour.
I always recommend a good Vit B Complex and Magnesium for health and stress. And lots of water. I’m definitely going to see y’all in DC and PA at least once. We’ll see about MA or NY as it gets closer.
Did you get the email I sent you a few months back?
I love the open honesty Sean and I hope that this tour is easier for all of you. This sort of insight is something us mere mortals never get to hear about the whole experience of being in a band.
One day, I’ll get to meet you all and hopefully have my kids there too, to share the experience.
Until we do, we’ll all be there in spirit, every step of the way.
Twd.
I never used to eat breakfast(it used to give me agita), but after a migraine that actually made me pass out and wake up in an ambulance, my neuro doc insisted that I have oatmeal for breakfast. After doing it for a while, I recommend it. You can buy the packs with flavors or get one of the cardboard barrels and just scoop some and add your own flavors. It’s cheap, easy, fills you up, has complex carbs, and keeps you regular (counteracting the taco bell….).
For carsick stuff, ginger. Chews, pills, whatever. Plus it makes your burps taste like Chinese food….
Wish you all were playing closer to Geneseo (western NY) this time around, but I’ve got hopes that you will down the road. Safe travels and kick butt!
Hi Sean, I love you. 🙂 just a few short suggestions…alcohol and baby wipes make an easy, temporary shower on the road. Magnesium and vitamin c can be like a laxative so use in moderation, lol! Mozzarella string cheese and boiled eggs are an excellent light protein snack. 😘
Oh, I forgot….when you all go into a store, be sure to grap those alcohol wipes and when you get to the check out, wrap it around your finger when touching the screen!!! 😘
That sounds like a plan my friend! You know me, i’m a clotheshorse who will be wearing fifteen different outfits in fifteen cities. My tourdrobe will harmonize with the vibe of each place. It’s just one of the ways that i Express myself When showing up for you expressing yourselves. I am beyond stoked. See you out there!
🫶 I will try and limit the sweets at the 3 shows I’m attending 🤪
Breakfast: when traveling, quick cooking oatmeal (you don’t really need to cook it) is the best. I measure out my portions into individual ziplock sandwich bags and add cinnamon and ground flaxseed (to each their own additions, e.g. nuts, chopped dried fruit). When I get to a destination, I grab some fresh berries or an apple or banana, toss it in the bowl with the pre-portioned oatmeal, add milk of choice and let it sit for a few minutes. Future me is always grateful to past me for prepping. Highly recommend.
Be well and looking forward to the Cleveland show!
So happy to have joined this little group! I’m so stoked for y’all to go on tour and I am going to make it happen that I go to one of the shows!! Your plans sound great for achieving a smoother travel experience as well as engaging more with fans and having more of those precious moments <33333 for easy breakfast option RX bars (Choco sea salt is my favorite) are Soo fucking delicious. They have less than 6 ingredients and they slapp. Also if u'll have freezer space and a microwave I used to premake like 20 English muffin Bfast sandwiches at a time and freeze them and then microwave one a day. ALSO magnesium is a great supplement for calming nerves at night after a long show as well as overall health. Mullein tea is great for sinus infections and sore throats. And this tip will be a saving grace. Xlear is an all natural nasal spray found at most pharmacies. That spray will get you eighttt. It can be used preventatively as well as once your actually sick to get rid of a cold ASAP. Dr Tyna from Spotify has a 2hour podcast about Xlear if you feel you need more info on how amazing it is.
Okay those are tips sorry I had no cash on me. I love y'all more than I've loved anything in a long time :'). HAVE THE BEST TORR EVER. enjoy every moment. Remember how fucking sick you guys are and how important your music is. Love youuuuuuuu byeeee. Also ps casey will forever have my heart. Or at least for the next year or so. My love is fleeting. Tehe okayyy love yallllll. Thank you for all showing up to life enough to create this magic.