The Berklee careers/roles page specifies the professional skills needed include ‘Deep instrumental proficiency, experience with touring, knowledge of and proficiency in many musical styles, live performances abilities (stage presence), strong interpersonal skills, networking and flexibility’. (Community Careers Touring Musician Available online: https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/touring-musician [02/12/25]) Additionally, they state a number of ‘Interpersonal Skills'(Community Careers Touring Musician Available online: https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/touring-musician [02/12/25]) such as; being flexible, free-spirited and resilient while on tour; maintaining communication skills, maturity, discipline and professionalism. While you can have all these requirements, you may still struggle to find work. This due to a need of connections and dependant on ones previous career path. Berklee education suggests ‘almost all performing musicians will go on tour at some point, but it’s a smaller number that will make it their professional speciality’,(Community Careers Touring Musician Available online: https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/touring-musician [02/12/25]) depending on your career path this may be easier for some. For example, many touring musicians have had previous opportunity to gain experience as concert techs, members of original bands, orchestras or pit orchestras. Another route into this career path is through auditioning with music directors and managers to earn spots – rather than being offered the job based on reputation, word of mouth or previous experience. If one is a skilled and successful working, touring musician, they may join bands as full time members, allowing a further transition into tour management business or even musical direction. Other musicians I have heard from depict tour life as a tiring, unsuitable career and have now established themselves as a producer, creating loop packs and composing for various projects (Thomas Trueman, working in the creative industries lecture, 2025).Finding work within this industry can be done through various sources, Berklee’s career page on touring musicians suggest ‘some musicians tour with orchestras, bands or ensembles that they are already a part of'(Community Careers Touring Musician Available online: https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/touring-musician [02/12/25]) this means they would hire an agent to book tours. Approaching this independently would require identifying regions one wants to tour in, researching and contacting venue managers and talent buyers and providing links to the music you desire to play.

Jordan Mohler on ‘killthemusic.net’ states in his article ‘The Life of a Touring Musician: An Inside Look at the Grind’ that the daily routine begins with an ‘early start: packing up gear and preparing for the next destination’, (The Life of a Touring Musician: An Inside Look at the Grind Jordan Mohler 2025 Available online: https://killthemusic.net/articles/the-life-of-a-touring-musician-an-inside-look-at-the-grind [02/12/25]) the travel to this next destination vary from ‘short drives to cross country treks’, a study by the University of Southern California (brought to light by Madeline Hartman in acoustable) (Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of a Touring Musician Madeline Hartman 2025 available online: https://acoustable.com/behind-the-scenes-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-touring-musician/ [02/12/2025]) found that touring musicians can travel ‘over 100000 miles in a year’ suggesting consistent routine is never present. Mohler also highlights the fact that ‘musician rely on fast food or gas station snacks due to limited time for proper meal'(The Life of a Touring Musician: An Inside Look at the Grind Jordan Mohler 2025 Available online: https://killthemusic.net/articles/the-life-of-a-touring-musician-an-inside-look-at-the-grind [02/12/25]) any health conscious musicians may find this lifestyle challenging and therefore unsuitable. A crucial step of the day is the ‘soundcheck’ including ‘arriving at the venue, setting up equipment and ensuring all systems are ready for the performance, which can take hours’. (The Life of a Touring Musician: An Inside Look at the Grind Jordan Mohler 2025 Available online: https://killthemusic.net/articles/the-life-of-a-touring-musician-an-inside-look-at-the-grind [02/12/25]) This section of the day gives the impression that the touring musician life is quite physically demanding. Another factor suggesting a physically demanding day is the aspect of ‘night performances’ followed by ‘tearing down equipment, loading gear back into vehicle, often working into the early hours of the morning’. (The Life of a Touring Musician: An Inside Look at the Grind Jordan Mohler 2025 Available online: https://killthemusic.net/articles/the-life-of-a-touring-musician-an-inside-look-at-the-grind [02/12/25]) This demanding day emphasises the importance of being ‘flexible and resilient’ on tour. Challenges that Mohler experienced included the ’emotional toll of being away from home’. Being away from loved ones for long periods can add strain to the physical demands of touring as well putting strain on relationships with family and friends. Madeline Hartman from ‘acoustable’ on the page ‘behind the scenes a day in the life of a touring musician’ states that musicians cope with loneliness and homesickness by ‘maintaining communication with family and friends through phone calls and social media’, (The Life of a Touring Musician: An Inside Look at the Grind Jordan Mohler 2025 Available online: https://killthemusic.net/articles/the-life-of-a-touring-musician-an-inside-look-at-the-grind [02/12/25]) Hartman also suggests less technological forms of processing emotions include ‘journaling or creative expression to process their emotions’. Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of a Touring Musician Madeline Hartman 2025 available online: https://acoustable.com/behind-the-scenes-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-touring-musician/ [02/12/2025]) However, Mohler implies the typical touring musician would struggle to set time aside for this therapeutic outlet. (The Life of a Touring Musician: An Inside Look at the Grind Jordan Mohler 2025 Available online: https://killthemusic.net/articles/the-life-of-a-touring-musician-an-inside-look-at-the-grind [02/12/25])

According to Gov.uk’s guidance for ‘musical artists and accompanying staff’ on ‘working, performing and touring in Europe’ there are many factors to consider when touring (in EU countries, in the USA these issues are much larger). (Guidance – Working, performing and touring in Europe – guidance for musical artists and accompanying staff 2021available online: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-performing-and-touring-in-europe-guidance-for-musicians-and-accompanying-staff [02/12/2025]) These factors include undergoing important basic checks, those that occur whenever travelling abroad, such as ensuring that: ‘your passport complies with the passport rules’, ‘you have appropriate healthcare and travel insurance cover’ and that you ‘carry your UK driving license with you’ (when intending to drive). A potentially overlooked factor is the complications of ‘transporting musical instruments or equipment’. ‘If your musical instruments or equipment are in your baggage or a vehicle’ this means they are accompanied and therefore may allow you to ‘pay no duty on them’. (Guidance – Working, performing and touring in Europe – guidance for musical artists and accompanying staff 2021available online: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-performing-and-touring-in-europe-guidance-for-musicians-and-accompanying-staff [02/12/2025]) If, on the other hand, the instruments and equipment are ‘unaccompanied’ and moved by a ‘haulier’, an ATA Carnet is used ‘as a temporary admission procedure’, there is a cost to this. An ATA Carnet (according to the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’ under their ‘trade documentation’ guidelines) is an ‘international customs document that permits duty free and tax free temporary imports of goods for up to one year’ this is usually made up of ‘pre-prepared unified customs declaration forms to be used at each customs border offices and serves as a guarantee to customs duties and taxes’. (Trade documentation ATA CARNET available online: ATA Carnet UK | International – LCCI [02/12/25]) On top of this the guidelines specify the need for visa/work permits – ‘durations, definitions and requirements can vary from Member State to Member State’ and many have confirmed they ‘offer visa and work free permit routes for UK musicians, performers and support staff undertaking some short-term touring activities’. (Musicians Union USA Visas Applying For a Work Visa in the USA | Advice for Musicians | The MU [02/12/25]) However, for touring in the USA the musicians’ union states – as of 2023 – the total fee can vary from $1,655 to $1,615 – dependant on whether you’re a solo artists, in a band or classical/jazz musician, whether you have been invited or even if you are playing traditional or folkloric music. Since 2025 The Associated Press reports that ‘The United States has implemented a significant 250% visa fee increase’. (U.S triples visa fees for international artists Zenae Zukowski 2024 available online: U.S. triples visa fees for international artists [02/12/25]) According to Zenae Zukowski’s report on Metal Insider, ‘The increase from $460 per application $1,600 has resulted in typical fees rising from $1,840 to around $6,460’. The industry for touring musicians is heavily impacted by politics, and in turn impacts not just the music industry but local economies too – ‘the loss of revenue from international tours could have a significant economic impact’. Additionally, potential reciprocal actions from other countries may follow.

According to Musicians Union – the essentials of marketing and promotion as a musician are: ‘creating an identity, endorsement deals, merchandising, hiring a music PR, getting press, showcasing your music, writing a biog for your band and promoting yourself online’. (Musicians Union: Marketing and Promoting available online: Music Marketing | Marketing & Promotion As A Musician | The MU [02/12/2025]) Being a touring musician automatically fulfils some of these essentials. According to AMG Music: ‘why is touring so important for artists’, Brady Altland explains that touring helps ‘build personal connection’ therefore creating a sense of ‘deeper connection’ and building ‘loyalty’ that translates directly to more ‘album sales, merchandise and fan engagement’.(Why is Touring so Important for Artists Brady Altland 2023 available online: https://amgmusic.org/why-is-touring-so-important-for-artists/ [02/12/2025]) Additionally you are creating brand awareness – ‘touring and promoting go hand in hand’, by touring in various new venues and markets you create a ‘word of mouth buzz and media attention’ all working to ‘provide a significant source of income’. Inside the industry states on ‘do musicians make most of their money from touring?’ that ‘touring is where the money is at. always.’.(Why is Touring so Important for Artists Brady Altland 2023 available online: https://amgmusic.org/why-is-touring-so-important-for-artists/ [02/12/2025]) By keeping a ‘close eye on your listener demographics’ it becomes easy to locate venues and areas that are likely to generate more revenue. However, Alex Taylor suggests on his article for ‘forward voice studio’ that ‘You don’t have to tour the world to be a successful musician’, writing that ‘engaging with your local audience can be just as impactful as performing for crowds in far off cities’. (You Don’t Have to Tour the World to Be a Successful Musician Alex Taylor 2023 https://www.forwardvoicestudio.com/blog/you-dont-have-to-tour-the-world-to-be-a-successful-musician [02/12/2025]) This suggests that focusing more on writing a perfect biog, or promoting yourself online could be equally as important as touring. However, I believe this ratio will differ from artist to artist, with many having a more outgoing marketing technique, investing in large, adventurous tours to perform before new crowds rather than hours spent cracking the algorithm to reach new audiences digitally.

The most prominent personal challenge facing touring musicians is bad mental heath. The Musicians Union states that ‘findings from the Musicians Census have revealed almost a third of the UKs professional musicians experience poor mental wellbeing’, this is due musicians experiencing a ‘range of issues including discrimination, performance anxiety, burnout and financial instability’. (Musicians Union Fair Play on Tour: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing as a Live Musician available online: https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/fair-play-on-tour-protecting-your-health-and-wellbeing-as-a-live-musician [02/12/25]) This same article suggests ‘it’s vital for live musicians to build rest into their routine’ to deal with these issues, and that ‘a healthy diet can give you the energy for a successful tour’.(Musicians Union Fair Play on Tour: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing as a Live Musician available online: https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/fair-play-on-tour-protecting-your-health-and-wellbeing-as-a-live-musician [02/12/25]) Dr Adam Ficek has similarly ‘seen first-hand how the music industry journey can cause a host of psychological problems. Difficulties ranging Fromm chronic anxiety, depression and substance abuse are rife within an industry that can be both chaotic and unregulated’ – published within ‘the British psychological society’ under mental heath, music and sound: musicians and mental health. (The British Psychology Society Musicians and mental health Dr Adam Ficek 2025 available online: https://www.bps.org.uk/blog/musicians-and-mental-health [02/12/2025]) Dr Ficek believes what the music industry would benefit from ‘is an external governing body to oversee the wellbeing of all vulnerable artists entering the field alongside those who are yet to be embroiled within the commercial environment’, however with such vast, ever changing industry there will never be opportunity for each individual musician to be supported. Work has been done to work toward this aim, for example ‘one charity at the forefront of this dilemma and offering a support structure is Tonic music who run weekly peer support groups, workshops and offer personal therapy to many musicians and industry personnel’.(The British Psychology Society Musicians and mental health Dr Adam Ficek 2025 available online: https://www.bps.org.uk/blog/musicians-and-mental-health [02/12/2025]) Further to this, Robin Evan Willis mentions that ‘Promoting self-care, mental health support, and healthier tour models boosts resilience and well-being’, and that by creating ‘healthier touring models’ we can integrate mental health professionals into touring teams’ we will be able to normalize counselling and the support of touring musicians mental health as well as physical. (Road Weary: The Mental Health Challenges of Touring Artists Robin Evan Willis 2024 available online: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/road-weary/202409/road-weary-the-mental-health-challenges-of-touring-artists [02/12/2025])

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Altland, Brady Why is Touring so Important for Artists 2023 available online: https://amgmusic.org/why-is-touring-so-important-for-artists/ [02/12/2025]

Berklee Careers Community Careers Touring Musician Available online: https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/touring-musician [02/12/25]

Ficek, Dr Adam The British Psychology Society Musicians and mental health 2025 available online: https://www.bps.org.uk/blog/musicians-and-mental-health [02/12/2025]

Gov.uk Guidance – Working, performing and touring in Europe – guidance for musical artists and accompanying staff 2021 available online: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-performing-and-touring-in-europe-guidance-for-musicians-and-accompanying-staff [02/12/2025]

London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Trade documentation ATA CARNET available online: https://www.londonchamber.co.uk/international-trade/trade-documentation/ata-carnet/ [02/12/25]

Madeline Hartman Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of a Touring Musician 2025 available online: https://acoustable.com/behind-the-scenes-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-touring-musician/ [02/12/2025]

Mohler, Jordan The Life of a Touring Musician: An Inside Look at the Grind 2025 Available online: https://killthemusic.net/articles/the-life-of-a-touring-musician-an-inside-look-at-the-grind [02/12/25]

Musicians Union Fair Play on Tour: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing as a Live Musician available online: https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/fair-play-on-tour-protecting-your-health-and-wellbeing-as-a-live-musician [02/12/25]

Musicians Union: Marketing and Promoting 2023 available online: https://musiciansunion.org.uk/career-development/career-guides/marketing-and-promotion [02/12/2025]

Musicians Union U.S. Visas 2025 https://musiciansunion.org.uk/working-performing/working-overseas/working-in-the-united-states/work-visas [02/12/25]

Taylor, Alex You Don’t Have to Tour the World to Be a Successful Musician 2023 https://www.forwardvoicestudio.com/blog/you-dont-have-to-tour-the-world-to-be-a-successful-musician [02/12/2025]

Willis, Robin Evan Road Weary: The Mental Health Challenges of Touring Artists 2024 available online: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/road-weary/202409/road-weary-the-mental-health-challenges-of-touring-artists [02/12/2025]

Zenae Zukowski U.S triples visa fees for international artists 2024 available online: https://metalinsider.net/news/u-s-triples-visa-fees-for-international-artists [02/12/25]