If you expect to actually make money on your first European tour, good luck!

For most artists it’s all about investing money the first time they cross the ocean. If you keep expenditures to the very basics and you catch a few breaks renting transportation and equipment, you could spend on average $150 a day on a van and backline. If you map out your shows logically, you could spend approximately $70 a day on gas. Each band or crew member will need $30 a day for food and beverages. If you use a tour manager, that can run you at least $100 a day. Even the best laid plans, as everyone knows, can go horribly wrong once in a while. So when budgeting your tour, add another $50 a day to be on the safe side.

So if you’re planning a three-week tour with a four-piece band and you hire a tour manager, you’ll spend a good $10,000, NOT including your flights. Keep in mind that Mondays are pretty much dead show days and that you’ll need one or two days off. Ultimately you’ll need about 16 shows that all pay well over $600 to cover your basic expenses. Is that possible? How do you cut corners and where are the opportunities? The following tips should help you make the right moves.

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