Tour Check-listSo you think you have problems packing before you travel? Carla Torgerson from the Walkabouts sent me this list awhile back and I thought if very informative and interesting. With her kind permission I am passing it along to you. ALL of these items are not essential (of course) for having a successfull tour. Hell, you can just do it with a couple of t-shirts and blue jeans (and instruments of course). My friend Ben from the Blind Doctors didn't even bring new socks when he toured. Just threw the dirty one's away and bought new ones!! For the Walkabouts also this is not just a week long thingy either- it's a month or two of chugging up and down the autobahn, full production kind of work. Anyway, do NOT forget to lock your suitcase before leaving for the airport! (*italics are mine).
Packing List: *Passport and tickets, ID tags, address labels for gear, pay rent: home and practise space keys to your house and rehearsal space, cash, credit cards, (and foreign monies) and phone cards tour dates and *important telephone numbers sheet, *email addresses small calendar, cheat sheets, *new lyrics and lyrics in progress lap top computer and mobile phone reading glasses and contacts, hard glasses case, small water bottle CD player and CD's ear phones adaptors battery charger Instruments, cases, tuners (practise guitar) stands, chairs or stools chord sheet music notes, (strings and batteries, drum heads) black rubber carpet to hide chords, cable lock for merch suitcase merch suitcase, sign up sheets for fans (include e-mail space) put website at top perhaps cloth for merch stand (black), vinyl CD display for merch stand, money bag flashlight, leather man and tools [Electric charge/ground indicator] *documentation of all credit cards, bank accounts, passport number, licence, SS# (social security number) backdrop and carrying case with ropes & hardware bootlegs and stamps and ink and stickers and stencil kit *alarm clock, watch, hair drier with adaptors, office supplies: dry message board envelopes and folders, paper, paper tape 2 or 3 pens, pencils and sharpies pocket knife with scissors, foreign language dictionaries camera and film, tripod, movie cameras safety pins and paper clips and rubber bands reading books and playing cards or other games Europe map, single edge razor business cards with website.
Toiletry Bag: two of them (one for bus and one to take into club) toothpaste, toothbrush, lozengers shampoo, shower cap, deoderant , tampax fingernail clippers and file make up and make up remover, wet ones special towel and bag for wet clothes (thongs for shower) Band aids or medical kit and ice packs, nasal spray and medicines flashlight for venue to bus "walk" (it can be very dark some places) bath salts or oils, special teas or foods, comfort things sun protection, a bit of bleach, clothes line for back of bus Clothes: underwear and socks sandals and shoes and boots and shoes with heals light coat and sweaters pants and dresses hat and sunglasses and jewelry swimming suits, shorts load in and load out gloves slippers for bus, dirty clothes bag smokers coat or evening robe pillow and organizer for inside sleeping bunk see-through bags to store clothes (suitcases might have to go below in cargo area because of lack of space). PS: the ONLY thing she forgot (I think) and are essential for peace and quiet are: ear plugs! Have a good show!!!
