When Tour Concert?
The Next Step in Planning for a Concert: Determining When to Go on Tour Touring is also a fulfilling experience for any musician because it provides the opportunity to market the album as well as offer live performances to the fans. However, timing can still be a critical element when deciding when to embark on a concert tour. Below are some guidelines that can help one to know when it is best to travel:
Album Release Another advantage of going on tour is when you have new music that is set to be released into the markets, going for a tour alongside the release of the music is very effective. The tour creates the desired and expected energy for the new songs as they release the album. Audiences want to hear the new songs live performances of the songs are expected. You feed their curiosity by playing some of the tracks that are part of the yet-to-be-released album, creating hype. A tour also ensures that the moment after the release of an album is not lost and the individuals and songs remain relevant.
It is widely accepted that great touring windows are those that occur around three to four months before an album release and can last for as much as six months after its launch. Do you play music professionally and manage yourself – that is, do you organize your concerts? Ensure that you have some free time to change the tour dates to fit the time needed for an album release. Staking too much on concrete tour itineraries is unwise.
Seasons and Weather Weather and climate affect touring decisions, especially for the outdoors since it defines the choice of venue for an event. For those who are planning intensive outdoor events, try to schedule touring cycles in warmer time frames such as late spring to early autumn. Concerts are also often held outdoors as part of summer activities.
Certain places such as Southern California may facilitate outdoor events throughout the year while in other areas, it is impossible due to winter. It is advisable to look up the seasons and typical weather conditions of the regions you may be visiting on tour. It is important to refrain from scheduling performances outside during days of rain or extreme cold.
Also, for the contingencies concerning the weather, arrange for a couple of backup concert dates as well. Thus, it is much more efficient to find several backup indoor locations beforehand, rather than trying to find one when an outdoor performance is spoiled by rain.
Holidays and Events Are there any other events or holidays that are local, national, or international that would complement or interfere with your tour? Perhaps, the strategy of scheduling concerts around relevant events can prove to be popular in terms of publicity or prove unpopular due to the event’s nature.
For instance, driving around a major national holiday such as Independence Day or Memorial Day may well increase attendance because people are off from work and in a holiday spirit. They can also attract larger audiences who are interested in annual events happening in the local community. But you also run the same risk of being lost in a sea of entertainment choices.
On the other hand, staying away from certain holidays or occasions means that you are getting less of a shot at the consumer’s cash and focus. What about when the children return to school in the fall? Once parents are done buying school supplies they have more time and money to attend concerts. These patterns are considered by tour promoters when they are formulating their routing plans.
Performance Fees and Expenses Financial issues also influence the ideal touring cycles. Think about supply, demand, and your market price. Are you among those artists who can stage a concert anywhere any time because you are an A-listed celebrity who earns whatever fees you ask for? For the performers who have some bargaining power over their acts, the timing might emphasize synchronization with other projects.
New stars should compare the seasonality of the fees for performances and the costs of tours including transportation costs and accommodation costs. These may vary depending on the economic factors that prevail in the region. Higher rates may occur during the holidays even though booking during January to March tours may be cheaper. Do you work for low fees during soft market conditions, or do you wait for better times?
Supporting Acts Opening performers and side stage acts could also influence the choice of the hour for your concert. Are you already under contract with additional musicians for some of the dates? Is there a new, up-and-coming band receiving hype that you could book to potentially increase the attendance of your shows?
Search for musicians who are based in the areas where you wish to host the events. These are typically filled with regional acts, some of whom may have prior engagements or new CDs out on the market. It is essential to try to synchronize with talents who can effectively support your shows, increase ticket demand, and provide additional value to the audience.
Booking and Promoting Shows Pragmatically, when can you realistically start to get your marketing moving to promote shows? Coordinate your tour announcement date based on this as well. Also, consider the lead times that venues take to get officially booked and advertised. While smaller locations may negotiate weeks ahead, major shows might lock agreements at least several months before the date.
Formulate your booking plan, including which venues and cities you wish to market to. Concentrate on those areas where people know you’re going to perform and are willing to spend their money to get tickets. List all essential timelines and work towards the desired concert dates.
Bear in mind that ticket sale promotion is not a one-day job; it entails constant marketing throughout your website, email list, and social media accounts, as well as publicity. Develop an overall promotions strategy that allocates sufficient time in advance.
Routing Efficiency Consider certain city pairings and sequences that might help reduce travel expenses. Concentrate the areas of relevant cities for each short tour leg more or less within one region. This helps to avoid indirect drives or detours with shorter fights. Choose certain key points within each mini-tour such that one spends a minimal amount of time transferring from show to show each day.
Some cities may be priority markets for concerts. It is possible to develop legs around these prime locations while including other potential destination options. These decisions can be made based on data from your previous successful tours.
Strategize the routing puzzles to manage large transport costs effectively. Travel mode, distances, and days for rest also have a bearing on cost-effectiveness in planning the itinerary.
Health and Endurance It is also important not to overemphasize the physical side of touring as it can be very physically demanding even for the most experienced artists. This is due to constant traveling, sleepless nights, junk and fast foods, little or no water intake because of voice strain, and alcohol takes a toll on most vibrant performers.
When considering long tours, examine your personal health, age as well as medical conditions. Evaluate the stamina and restoration capability for successive multiple-hour performances with minimal breaks. Are you able to endure these strains night after night? No one wants to go for a performance and get a show that is almost pathetic because most of the dance team is tired from other activities.
While early tours might make young artists feel like they are invincible the harsh realities of health and career are learned later. Learn your capacity before setting yourself up for a very busy schedule.
Family Obligations Lastly, explain why you cannot spend time with your family such as in marriages, having children, taking care of elderly parents, or any other family members that are dependent on you. Group tours demand lengthy traveling may be tiring to children who need structure and the non-touring partners who have to cook and clean among other domestic chores. Schedule more homestays if this is required by your family circumstances.
On the same note, some artists like to take their kids and tutors on extremely kid-friendly tours. Tours if backed with the right academic and supervision support are some of the unique life experiences that kids will ever get. I mean every musician's family and priorities are not like the other. Be critical when designing tours by evaluating your situation honestly. Your family will give up a lot and bend over backward for your artistry to come to life. Remember their needs as you decide where and when to schedule performances.
Consider all these critical factors when you plan the course your touring path will take. Arrange both your short-term marketing and advertising campaigns and the long-term career development plans in parallel to recording schedules, budget constraints, and other commitments outside of music. Touring may seem all Hollywood glamour, but it is a lot of hard work and determination to develop loyal fans, who will continue to patronize your shows for years on end. It is better to wait and wait only, and this hour will also come. By being hardworking, persistent, and surrounding yourself with the right people, your story of success in your tour can open doors for the next generation of musicians.
