The dark side of life on the road: what has touring cost you?

One of the valuable things about this blog that might not be evident to casual readers is that its comment section is a forum for musicians to communicate and help one another out.

Every week, as I moderate comments, I see artists thanking other artists for their contributions to a particular discussion. It could be something as straightforward as troubleshooting the Apple Connect signup process. Or it could be about something more weighty, such as aging in a profession that favors youth.

But either way, it’s always encouraging to see musicians helping their fellow musicians with concerns both big and small. So… after reading a recent article from The Guardian called “Insomnia, anxiety, breakups,… musicians on the dark side of touring,” I thought I’d try to open up a discussion here about the negative effects of life (or stretches of life) on the road.

The psychological dangers that touring musicians face

Long hours in vans, buses, or airplanes. Shuffling in and out of hotels and airports. Sleeping on a different bed (or couch, or floor) every night. Booze, drugs, and other temptations. The lack of a consistent support system. Lack of exercise. Lack of healthy foods. Infidelity. The extreme highs of performing, followed by a whole bunch of tedium. Coming off the road and feeling like no one understands, or that “real” life is a drag. Physical and emotional distance from your partner, children, and family. The list goes on and on.

Not every tour resembles the above description, of course, but they CAN and often do involve a few of those challenges. It’s why Willis Earl Beal would prefer not to tour. It’s why Zayn Malik left One Direction. It’s why The Band called it quits after The Last Waltz. And at the worst extreme, when you mix Post-Performance Depression with an inflated ego, very bad things happen.

So… how have you dealt with the ups and downs of touring? Did frequent touring cause you psychological, marital, or financial harm?

What warnings would you have to younger musicians just embarking on their early tours?

What advice would you have in terms of recovering from the road? Let us know in the comments below.

[Tour bus photo from Shutterstock.]

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Source: Musician Resources