FAQ

Travel / Logistics

How will I get to the tour?

All participants will arrange their own travel to the first show of their legs. You must arrive at the venue at 12pm the day of their first show. After the last show, you will travel with the band to the next city and depart from that city. You must leave the tour by 9am on your last day.

How long will I be gone?

That depends on the leg you’re on. Most experiences are four shows, five nights. For example, if your last show is Cleveland, you’ll travel overnight with the tour to the next show and depart from that new city in the morning.

What do I tell my professors about missing class for a week?

In our experience, most professors are welcoming of performance learning opportunities. It is each students’ responsibility to communicate with professors about missed class and make plans for coursework that will be missed. A leg on the Tour:Smart bus does not count as an excused absence.

Will I have to complete my regular coursework while on the road?

Students are encouraged to have individual conversations with professors about workload while they are on tour. While on tour, you are excepted to participate in all Tour:Smart activities. Should regular coursework need to be completed while on the road, you are responsible for finding time to do that.

Do I need any money while on the road?

It is recommended that students have $300 of available funds with them on the road for emergency situations. Debit cards associated with bank accounts are the most secure. All meals and accommodations are covered by Tour:Smart.

Will Tour:Smart meet my special dietary needs?

Yes. It’s common for band members to have dietary requirements. Group catering situations will attempt to meet your needs as indicated on our application. In circumstances where tour catering cannot meet your needs, packaged alternative meals will be made available. 

What should I pack?

Treat this as a serious trip and just as any time away from home, bring copies of your prescriptions, back up inhalers, epi-pens etc. See our complete packing list here.

Is there a background check?

Yes. All students on the bus are subject to a background check as part of the application process. We understand that everyone pushes the limits from time to time and people make mistakes. If there is something that might show up on a background check that you’d like to discuss with us, you should do that. While we are understanding, any instances of violence or sexual misconduct that appears on a background check will exclude you from this experience.

Curriculum

If I want to concentrate on just one area, like sound, can I do that?

We’ll make the team aware of your interests but one of the intentions is to give you a well-rounded awareness of the needs and stresses that are prominent for each member of the touring team. To that end, we require that each student spend one day in each touring hub. 

Emergency Situations

What happens if I get sick on the tour?

Through our relationship with Mastertour, we have access to Wellvia is an industry leader in the emerging Telehealth space, where they utilize the use of telecommunication and information technologies to provide clinical health care at 24/7, 365 in all 50 States. For anything more serious, we will take you to an urgent care facility, hospital, or call 911. The cost will be subject to your own health insurance. 

What happens if I’m not on the bus when it leaves town?

You must keep your phone on you and charged at all times. Your tour pass will contain cell numbers of key tour personnel and if you are left behind you must call immediately. This is your responsibility. If the buses are close and the overnight drive is short we might be able to arrange to pick you up. If it’s a long drive and the buses have left, you might be on your own. Tour:Smart is responsible for providing you with travel details each day. Being aware of the time, changes in plans, and reporting to designated locations is your responsibility. Any costs associated with returning to the tour are yours.  

Can I leave the tour early?

Part of the learning experience will be for you to know that you can triumph in the face of adversity. Problem solving internally and externally is about being present, not giving up, and staying involved when others might want to run. If you want to leave because it’s too hard, too stressful, too smelly, to loud our first response to encourage you to stick it out. But, of course, if this isn’t for you, then we don’t want you to suffer stress or anxiety. 

Should you need to the tour early due to an emergency, you may. You are financially responsible for your own travel home. Your previously booked travel is non-refundable. 

Failure to complete the full leg will result in a failing grade in the course and no college credit will be awarded.

Creature Comforts

How many beers can I drink/day?

There is no drinking until the show is complete. The show is not complete until the bus and equipment leave the venue. You must be 21+ to drink. We strongly recommended a two drink limit. You came here to learn, not to party.

Will I have wifi on my phone?

Yes, most of the time. There will be wifi on the bus and at most venues. 

Will I get my own key to the bus?

No. Should you need access to the bus during the day, your tour manager will open the bus for you.

Will I get a shower everyday?

Touring is like camping. Some venues and hotels are luxurious, some are not. Sometimes there is a ridiculous time crunch, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes the best showers only have cold water. Plan accordingly. Astronauts wipes will be provided in your welcome kit. 

How am I supposed to stay awake all the time?

Dark Matter Coffee is proudly sponsoring the tour. Don’t stay up late, sleep when you can. Push hard. Five days will fly by.

The Show

Will I get to watch the show?

That depends. When you’re a member of a touring team sometimes your attention has to be in other places at different times. If you’re running merch for instance, show time might be the quietest time to have a slice of pizza and a nap. If you’re part of a stage crew you need to be watching the performers, not the show and that’s a huge difference. There will likely be at least one night on your leg when you can watch the show.

Can I have guest list passes for my friends and family to visit?

On this tour, the shows are getting close to sold out, so no. But also because if friends and family visit you’ll want to spend time with them and that will pull you away from whatever else have been planned for you. Juggling friends and family needs whilst also working on a tour is a next level skill set. 

When does the party start?

Coupled with any kind of music activity is the masquerade and myth of 24 hour partying. Not only are you not equipped to deal with professionals on the road and match them drink for drink (if they do drink) you need to plan for this five days. You need to arrive healthy and rested, not jump onto the bus after a 24 hour party send-off. Treat this seriously as the learning experience it will be.