A tour manager (sometimes called a road manager or concert tour manager) plays a crucial role in the success of any music tour, ensuring that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. These professionals travel with the artists and their crew, often for months at a time, managing various aspects of the tour to allow musicians to focus on their performances. From coordinating travel plans to ensuring the artist’s rider requests are met, tour managers take on a variety of responsibilities.
If you want to know more about how to manage a music tour, our course and textbook on Anyone Can Book a Gig can teach you many of the organizational and logistical skills needed for this job. Whether you’re aiming to be a tour manager or managing your own tour, we provide step-by-step guidance to help you succeed.
Key Responsibilities of a Tour Manager
Tour managers are responsible for handling virtually every detail that comes with taking a band or artist on the road. Let’s break down the key tasks:
1. Organizing Travel and Accommodations
Tour managers are responsible for arranging all transportation for the band, crew, and gear. This involves booking flights, organizing buses or vans for travel between shows, and ensuring that everyone arrives on time and safely. Additionally, the tour manager books accommodations for the team at every stop, making sure they have a comfortable place to rest between performances.
Tip: Want to streamline your touring experience? Learn the best practices for managing logistics in our online course—designed specifically for independent artists and those looking to work in tour management.
2. Coordinating with Venues and Promoters
Before the tour kicks off, the tour manager coordinates with each venue, ensuring all details are in place for load-ins, sound checks, and showtimes. They often have to communicate with local promoters, venue staff, and technical teams to ensure that everything is ready for the performance. Tour managers must make sure that the band’s hospitality requirements—such as backstage catering, dressing rooms, and equipment—are met.
3. Managing the Budget
One of the most important duties of a tour manager is keeping track of the budget throughout the tour. This includes managing expenses, collecting payments from venues, and ensuring that all costs—such as travel, accommodations, and meals—stay within the allocated budget. Tour managers must also keep an eye on merchandise sales and ensure that the tour’s financials are balanced.
Interested in learning how to manage a music tour’s finances? Our textbook offers practical tools and insights on budgeting and finance management for independent musicians and aspiring tour managers.
4. Handling Media Engagements and Publicity
For larger tours, the tour manager may work closely with a publicist to ensure media appearances and promotional events (such as interviews or meet-and-greets) run smoothly. They’re responsible for making sure the band arrives on time for media obligations and that the public’s attention is drawn to key events during the tour.
5. Solving Problems on the Fly
Tour managers must be proactive problem-solvers. Whether it’s dealing with canceled flights, unexpected technical issues, or even a dispute with a promoter, the best tour managers know how to handle crises quickly and efficiently. They must have the ability to think on their feet and restore peace during tense moments, which can arise frequently while on the road.
6. Overseeing Daily Tour Operations
Every day on the road is planned and scheduled, and the tour manager ensures everything happens as it should. This includes creating day sheets that outline the schedule for the day, managing transportation to and from the venue, confirming soundcheck times, and ensuring that all crew members are on the same page.
7. Looking After the Crew and Artist’s Wellbeing
Tour managers also ensure that the crew and artist stay in good health and high spirits throughout the tour. They manage meal plans, arrange for rest breaks, and make sure the artist and their team are well-rested and ready for each show. Maintaining morale on the road is just as important as managing logistics.
Career Path: How to Become a Tour Manager
Becoming a tour manager is a journey in itself. Many tour managers begin in related roles, such as working as musicians, concert techs, booking agents, or sound engineers. Gaining hands-on experience on the road—whether with a local band or as part of a festival staff—is essential.
Building a reputation in the live music world is often key to advancing. As a tour manager gains more experience, they can move up to managing larger, more prominent artists or even work for a record label or concert promotion company. Many tour managers get their first big break by word-of-mouth referrals and networking within the music industry.
Want to take your career to the next level in tour management? Our Anyone Can Book a Gig course provides the skills you need to get started in booking and managing your own music tours. Sign up today and gain practical insights into tour logistics, budget management, and more!
Skills Required for a Tour Manager
To succeed as a tour manager, you need a unique blend of soft and hard skills. These include:
- Organization & Time Management: Managing multiple tasks, tight schedules, and last-minute changes requires stellar organizational skills.
- Problem Solving: The best tour managers stay calm under pressure and find quick solutions when issues arise.
- Financial Management: Keeping a close eye on the budget is crucial to avoid overspending and ensure the tour stays profitable.
- Communication Skills: As the main point of contact for the band, crew, and venue staff, tour managers must be clear, concise, and professional in their communication.
- Leadership & Teamwork: Tour managers must lead by example while ensuring the team works together smoothly to meet shared goals.
Whether you’re aiming to become a tour manager or simply want to understand the logistics behind managing your own tour, our course and textbook are your ideal resources. Start your journey to mastering tour management today with our comprehensive guide.
A Day in the Life of a Tour Manager
The daily life of a tour manager is busy and unpredictable. The day starts early, with the tour manager ensuring that everyone is ready for the next stop. They handle the logistics of transportation, check in with local staff, and make sure all crew members are accounted for. As the day progresses, they supervise load-in, soundchecks, and the final performance. Once the show wraps, the tour manager may stay on top of merchandise sales, finances, and team needs before heading to the next destination.
Work Life: The Road Less Traveled
Life on the road is rewarding, but it’s not for everyone. Tour managers spend long hours traveling between shows and often work late into the night. The job requires flexibility, endurance, and an ability to adapt to constantly changing circumstances. However, for those who love the fast pace and excitement of live music, the rewards—paid travel, incredible experiences, and the opportunity to build relationships with major artists—are significant.
Tour Manager Paul Boothe: Meet the Pros Interview
As part of our Meet the Pros series, we had the privilege of sitting down with Paul Boothe, a seasoned tour manager who has worked with an impressive array of artists across various genres. Paul has toured with renowned musicians such as Dianne Reeves, SFJAZZ, Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Nicholas Payton, Jane Monheit, Youssou N’Dour, Michael Brecker, Christian McBride, Herbie Hancock, Buena Vista Social Club, and more. During this exclusive interview, Paul shared invaluable insights into what it takes to succeed in tour management, from managing unexpected challenges to building strong relationships with venues and artists. His expertise sheds light on the practical skills needed to excel in this role, and we highly recommend watching the full interview to learn from one of the best in the business.
Check out the interview on our Meet the Pros page and get a firsthand look at the world of tour management.
Take the Next Step in Your Music Career
Whether you’re looking to break into the world of tour management or simply want to enhance your skills for managing your own tours, Anyone Can Book a Gig is your essential resource. Our online course and textbook are designed to provide you with the practical tools, step-by-step guidance, and insider knowledge needed to succeed. Join our community of independent musicians and professionals who are mastering the art of booking gigs and managing tours with confidence.
Don’t wait to take the next step in achieving your musical goals—sign up for the course today or order the textbook and start building your path to success!