AKA: How to take your band on the road without losing your mind, your money, or your bassist
So you’re thinking about doing a DIY tour. Congratulations! You’ve just chosen the path of maximum chaos, minimum sleep, and peak band bonding. Going on tour — even a tiny scrappy one — can be life-changing. But it can also be a massive wallet-shaped hole unless you plan smart.
This guide won’t promise you a tour bus, a personal driver, or fresh towels every day (lol). What we can promise is a realistic, artist-friendly, neurodivergent-accessible roadmap to taking your music around the UK (or further) without setting yourself on fire.
Ready? Deep breath. Let’s go.
1. Money (sorry)
DIY touring isn’t cheap – but it can be manageable. Before you book a single gig, figure out:
- How much can each band member realistically afford?
- Do you have a band fund?
- Will merch cover some of the costs?
- Do you need to apply for a small grant? (Yes, some exist – The MU has some useful guidance here)
Touring costs to expect:
- Travel (fuel, parking, congestion charges, breakdown cover)
- Accommodation (even sofas sometimes require an honorarium)
- Food
- Merch printing
- Emergency fund (at least £100 for that moment when someone’s amp spontaneously combusts)
If you skip this section, don’t worry — you will meet it again halfway up the M6 when the fuel light comes on.
2. Transport:
The Holy Trinity = cheap, comfortable, big enough for the gear (pick two)
Option A: Your own car / van
Cheapest, most chaotic, most likely to involve someone curled around a guitar case like a sad pretzel. Great for short tours and light gear.
Option B: Rented van
More space, more comfort, more money. Remember:
- Take out breakdown cover
- NEVER leave instruments/amps in the van overnight
- Double-check whether your driver has a clean licence
Option C: A driver with a van
Luxury mode. Not having to drive after a gig = heaven.
But: you’ll need to pay them properly, feed them, and ensure they’re not expected to sleep in the van like a loyal spaniel.
3. Book the gigs like a pro (even though you’re making it up as you go)
DIY touring is 60% sending emails, 20% refreshing your inbox, and 20% panicking. Here’s what actually works:
- Ask other bands where they’ve played and would recommend.
- Contact promoters directly (be friendly, concise, offer a link + live vid).
- Use the network you already have.
If you’ve been gigging locally, you’ve met promoters, sound techs, bar staff — ask them for contacts. The indie ecosystem runs on favours and good vibes. - Book geographically logical dates.
Don’t do: Cardiff → Glasgow → Brighton → Leeds
Do: cluster your tour.
Important:
Ask about payment before you confirm.
Fuel money is the bare minimum.
If a promoter says “we can’t guarantee anything but we’ll see what happens on the night” – that is promoter code for “you will be eating crisps for dinner.”
4. Accommodation
DIY touring accommodation generally falls into three categories:
Category 1: Floors/sofas
The classic. Free, friendly, sometimes fluffy (pets!), sometimes sticky (don’t ask).
Bring:
- Sleeping bag
- Ear plugs
- Zero expectations
Category 2: Budget hotels
Travelodge is the patron saint of DIY touring.
Split the cost. Always check for a Premier Inn around the corner that’s mysteriously half the price.
Category 3: The van
Not romantic. Not fun. Only recommended for people who hate their spine.
5. Merch
Merch can make or break a tour budget. Tips:
- Print lightweight merch (totes and tees > vinyl)
- Plan your display (bring hangers for display tees, print+laminate a price list, QR code to pay you by Paypal etc)
- Bring a float
- Assign one responsible adult per night to run the table
- Take card payments – some apps like SumUp don’t need a reader, you can take payment on your phone
Sell after your set while you’re still sweaty and sociable.
6. Food
Avoid the death triangle:
- Service stations
- Energy drinks
- Eating pizza once a day at 1am
Do:
- Shop at a cheap supermarket
- Bring fruit
- Pack water
- Eat three meals a day, at least one of which to be a hot meal
- Take multivitamins
7. Create a tour pack
A tour pack can be one Googledoc shared with all band members (plus driver, merch slinger, and any other interested parties) that includes:
- Venue addresses
- Load-in & stage times
- Promoter phone numbers
- Payments agreed
- Parking info
- Set lists
- Who’s driving which day
This prevents:
- arguments
- late arrivals
- existential crises
- messages like “wait what city are we in today??”
8. Mental health, neurodivergence & not killing each other
Touring is intense. You’re trapped in a metal box for hours with the same humans, the same jokes, and the same crisps. Protect yourselves:
- Build in alone time (yes, you’re allowed)
- Swap seats, swap tasks
- Don’t mock others’ sensory overload or anxiety
- Speak up before resentment boils
- Hydrate or diedrate
- Celebrate small wins
- Nap whenever humanly possible
Teamwork is the only reason DIY tours don’t crumble into flaming wreckage by day three.
9. The unsexy but essential admin stuff
- Register your gigs with PRS — yes, it’s annoying, but it’s money.
- Insure your gear.
- Bring a first aid kit.
- Label EVERYTHING (especially all those anonymous black cables).
- Back up your tracks if you use them. Twice.
10. TL;DR the quick start version
- Set a budget
- Plan your route
- Book the gigs
- Sort travel and accommodation
- Make merch
- Create a tour doc
- Eat actual food
- Don’t leave anything in the van
- Register gigs with PRS
- Have fun, take photos, and don’t forget why you’re doing this ❤️
