THE TRAVELLING MUSICIAN
Whether you’re a fully-fledged band or just starting out on your own, an important element of being a travelling musician is to plan ahead. That means doing thorough research of venues to ensure you’re pinpointing the right crowd, whilst avoiding the burden of guilt imagining the hefty credit card bill you’ll be paying off at the end!
As the country’s capital, London is THE hot spot for travelling musicians from all kinds of backgrounds, and the best place to start if you want to be noticed quickly.
Here at TinMan London, we’re all for alternative, but also realise expenses must be spared, particularly for those starting out. After some careful research, we’ve gathered details for our top five venues (to perform at or equally just have a great night), and our top five hotels (all with rooms under £100 per night). We’re certain this article will be a hit for any travelling musician!
Although it might seem obvious, when choosing a venue you want to play it, it’s important to make sure all payment details and other requirements are confirmed in writing. Nothing ruins a tour like turning up at a venue with no one to watch you.
Anyway, here’s our top five:
1. KOKO – www.koko.uk.com
2. THE NEST – www.ilovethenest.com
3. THE GARAGE – www.mamacolive.com/thegarage
4. PLAN B – www.plan-brixton.co.uk
5. JAZZ CAFE – www.jazzcafe.co.uk
HOTELS
1. HOXTON HOTEL – www.hoxtonhotels.com
2. HOTEL 55 – www.hotel55-london.com
3. STRAND PALACE HOTEL – www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk
4. THE Z HOTEL VICTORIA – www.thezhotels.com/victoria
5. FOUR STARS HOTEL – www.fourstarshotel.co.uk
Or if you’re really trying to save money, you could always try couch surfing. Maybe leave that as a last resort though…
What else?
Unless you’re a solo artist with nothing but an acoustic guitar for company, chances are, at some point during the tour, you’re going to be faced with the challenge of transporting equipment between various locations.
If you’re touring outside of the UK, unfortunately this can be a bit more of a problem, particularly if you’ve got a lot of equipment and you’re travelling by flight. Although it might seem like a feasible solution, leaving instruments and other equipment in the cargo part of the plane can subject them to a huge level of damage. Getting to the airport is another thing! You should always consider taking advantage of the great parking facilities available at the British capital airports, with Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Parking available. Infact Gatwick Parking are running a pretty cool competition right now:
Win a trip for four to Australia!! Enter by booking airport parking through Gatwick Parking.
Competition runs until 30 Sept, 2013 and the winner will be announced on 31 Oct, 2013.
Straight back to your travelling plans! How about buying your instrument another seat? Although it may seem slightly ridiculous, for musicians that aren’t willing to take any risks (and don’t mind setting aside a bit extra for travel expenses), it can be the perfect answer to their problems! In most cases, small instruments may count as carry-on luggage, but even then you may be faced with a baggage fee. If you don’t mind the chance of things getting bashed about a bit, invest in some protective padding and preferably a lockable case for security!
Options are slightly more open to musicians not yet embarking on an international tour. Chances are you either have your own vehicle or you’re using public transport. Either way, you don’t have to worry about leaving expensive equipment out of your care (unless you’re using a man and a van service, in which case, the above rules still apply). We also recommend musical instrument insurance, with a host of options all searchable through Google!
Need some extra help? Visit: www.helpmusicians.org.uk