Many artists dream of life on the road. For London based artist Ben McKelvey that dream has become a reality, as he sets off on a seventeen date arena tour with legendary Scottish band Wet Wet Wet this month. We caught up with Ben a few days before he hits the road to get his top touring tips.
TOP 5 TIPS
1. Be nice to the soundman. He can make you sound brilliant or not on the night.
2. Try and meet people after the show. It's a polite thing to do for people that have travelled down to watch you play music.
3. Have great merch on sale. It's such a great promotional tool for bands and helps with funding on the road.
4. Check your kit before you tour. It sounds obvious but it's easy to forget. Make sure all your guitars are working before you load up the van.
5. Be in a band with your best mates. You are going to spend every minute with them in vans, hotel rooms, dressing rooms etc. Make sure you get along!
TOP 5 THINGS TO CONSIDER
1. Traffic. Always have a lot of CDs ready for long journeys.
2. Sweaty clothes. For me every gig is a sweaty one. Take towels and spare clothes.
3. Waiting. A lot of touring is waiting around in dressing rooms. Take magazines or something to entertain yourself.
4. Food. I like to eat healthy food most of the time so touring can be a challenge when you're 3 meals a day are from service stations. Nowadays I pack protein bars and stuff to keep me fuelled and energised on the road.
5. Homesick/Toursick. I love touring but after a while you'll naturally miss home comforts like your own bed. Then I come home and after a few days I miss being on the road with my mates. Enjoy the tour then enjoy coming home. Then do it all again.
Check out the tour dates and more information about Ben Mckelvey on www.bmckmusic.co.uk
Ben McKelvey signed up for a Sound Consultancy Promotion Package in 2014 after seeing Daughters of Davis supporting one of his favourite bands, Eels.
Follow Ben on social media by following the links below:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Tour Dates
21/02/2016 RHYL PAVILION
23/02/2016 DUBLIN ARENA
24/02/2016 BELFAST SS ARENA
26/02/2016 BIRMINGHAM GENTING ARENA
27/02/2016 LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA
28/02/2016 NOTTINGHAM FM CAPITAL ARENA
01/03/2016 BRIGHTON CENTRE
02/03/2016 BOURNEMOUTH BIC
04/03/2015 LEEDS FIRST DIRECT ARENA
05/03/2016 MANCHESTER ARENA
06/03/2016 LONDON THE O2 ARENA
08/02/2016 PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS
09/03/2016 CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA
11/03/2016 NEWCASTLE METRO RADIO ARENA
12/03/2016 GLASGOW THE SSE HYDRO
13/03/2016 ABERDEEN GE OIL & GAS ARENA
14/03/2016 INVERNESS LEISURE CENTRE