The landscape of the music industry is fast-paced and constantly changing. One thing that’s for certain, however, is the need for consistent engagement between artists and their fans. It’s what drives the industry forward and allows artists to grow. With this need for engagement inevitably comes tours–an essential aspect of a musician’s career. Concert tour management software makes setting up and executing tours easier, but even the best music booking software can’t change the inevitable: cancellations.
There are several reasons why a tour might be canceled, and we’ll run through a few of the most common. With the help of YourTempo’s music business management software, there are best practices you can employ to avoid canceling tours and manage cancellations when they do happen. Use our event management system to your advantage to stay proactive when it comes to touring.
In the music industry, scheduling conflicts can arise due to a variety of reasons. For example, a musician may be asked to perform at a high-profile event or a festival that conflicts with their tour schedule. They may also need to attend promotional events or meetings that conflict with tour dates, leading to cancellations. If an artist is overbooked, they’ll be forced to commit to one event over the other–which means cancellations will happen either way.
Like any problem, there’s a solution for scheduling conflicts. Luckily enough, this one’s simple. It’s easy to keep track of events, schedules, and tour dates with the help of the proper tools. Music booking software such as that offered by YourTempo is designed specifically for industry professionals. This music business management software was created with the ins and outs of the music industry in mind– that includes the hectic scheduling that comes along with it. Keeping a well maintained, easily accessible schedule available to the entire team makes it easy to avoid conflicts. Everyone can stay on the same page and have the same valuable information at their disposal.
Another common reason for tour cancellations is due to health issues. Music industry professionals know well how physically taxing tours and performances can be. The job is demanding, and it can take its toll. On top of the demands of the job, musicians are regular people, too. They encounter regular injuries or illnesses that can lead to reschedules and cancellations.
Although you can’t plan for these issues with concert tour management software, you can use them to be prepared and act quickly in the case of sudden changes. Illness isn’t avoidable, and that’s why you should have a contingent plan in place for the event of injury or illness. You can take some time to create a document outlining processes and procedures in case of last minute cancellations. Upload this document to your team’s shared event management system to keep everyone on the same page.
A tour requires a significant amount of technical equipment, and they have a limited lifetime. As unfortunate as it is, equipment fails all of the time. Sometimes it’s as easy as replacing a mic, and other times it can lead to an entire show being canceled. Especially on tours, long delays with production and equipment issues have the potential to impact the entire tour, even causing cancellations to compensate for lost time.
These issues can be easily avoided if you practice being proactive rather than reactive. Utilize your music business management software to set up dedicated times for equipment checks and review production schedules with the team. It’s easy to do, and the music booking software even hosts a dedicated section for schedules and daysheets. Take the time to carefully curate these documents to fit your team’s specific needs and ensure you can avoid these catastrophic issues during your tour.
Low ticket sales can be a major issue for musicians on tour. If ticket sales are low, it may not be financially viable to continue with the tour. In some cases, musicians may cancel shows or entire tours if they do not believe they will make enough money to cover their expenses. Setting up presales, staying on top of advertising, and coordinating with venues can help you avoid this issue. You can keep track of ticket sales through your event management system and have a better grasp on sale expectations far before the actual tour dates. If you’re showing low numbers at certain venues, you’ll have enough lead time to run extra promos for increased sales. Remember that the concert tour management software exists to keep you ahead, and use it accordingly!
Touring is a critical part of a musician's career, but it doesn’t come without its own unique set of challenges. The top reasons music industry tours get canceled ranges, but there are common solutions to help counteract these setbacks and allow for the show to go on. As an agent or musician, it is important to be aware of these issues and to stay informed about tour cancellations so you can adjust your plans accordingly. Learn how to get started with the right concert tour management software today by contacting our YourTempo team at 629-895-5285.