Behind the Tour: Stereotypes vs. Reality
When most people picture roadies, they probably think of something straight out of the Woodstock era—chaotic setups, wild nights, and a haze of beer and cigarette smoke drifting through a muddy field. And while that version of touring has its place in history, the reality today looks very different.
Modern touring is a professional operation. It’s made up of skilled people, tight schedules, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes effort that most audiences never see. That doesn’t mean it’s lost its energy or excitement—but the old clichés don’t really hold up anymore.
In this blog, we’re breaking down the most common stereotypes about touring life and comparing them with the realities of how things actually run now.
1. The Party Lifestyle
Roadies are out drinking every night, partying with the band, and living like rockstars by association.
Reality:
There’s definitely a social side to touring, and yes—some people still enjoy a drink after the show. But it’s not an everyday thing, and most people know their limits. The job still has to be done the next morning, and being reliable matters. The vibe depends on the crew, the artist, and the type of tour, but most of the time, people find a balance between having fun and getting the job done. You're not expected to live like a monk—but you are expected to turn up and pull your weight.
2. Unskilled Manual Labour
Anyone can be a roadie—you just need a strong back and a few tattoos.
Reality:
Touring involves a huge range of specialised roles—set carpenters, riggers, automation techs, lighting crews, video teams—the list goes on. Every job has its own systems, tools, safety considerations, and workflows. Being hands-on is still part of it, but it’s far from unskilled. The people who make it work are experienced, capable, and know their department inside out.
3. The Lazy, Unmotivated Slacker
Roadies hang about all day, don’t do much, and just wait for soundcheck or the show to start.
Reality:
The people who make touring look easy are usually the ones working hardest. Load-ins and builds can start early and run fast, and everything has to be done right first time. Touring crews are made up of people who stay switched on, work quickly, and know how to problem-solve without drama. There’s no room for passengers—if you slow things down, people notice.
4. Endless Freedom and Glamour
Touring is one long holiday—you’re seeing the world for free, hanging out with artists, and living the dream.
Reality:
Touring does take you to some incredible places, and now and then you get a moment to take it in. But most of the time, you’re working. You might be sleeping on a bus, waking up in a new city, loading in before sunrise and loading out after midnight. When you do get a proper day off in a great location, it is special—but those moments are rare, and they’re earned.
5. No Structure, Just Chaos
Touring is unorganised, full of last-minute changes, and people just make it up as they go along.
Reality:
While every tour has its unpredictable moments, the daily structure is tight. Call times, load-ins, soundchecks, builds, show cues, and load-outs all run to a schedule. The more moving parts there are, the more structure it needs. Chaos still happens—but it’s usually managed quietly, behind the scenes, by people who know exactly what they’re doing.
6. It's Just a Bit of Fun
Working on tour isn’t a real job—it’s just a laugh for people who love music.
Reality:
It is fun, and that’s one of the best things about it. You work with great people, you build things from the ground up, and you’re part of something bigger than yourself. But it’s also demanding. There are long days, tight turnarounds, and a lot of responsibility. The people who do well are organised, focused, and know how to manage themselves. It’s not just a good time—it’s a proper job that takes effort.
Why These Stereotypes Stick Around
A lot of people still imagine roadies as they think theywere in the '70s—part-time, chaotic, and probably stoned. That version of the industry might have existed once. But things have moved on.
These days, touring crews are made up of people who are generally more skilled, more organised, and more experienced than people might expect. While there’s still room for personality and the occasional party, the job itself has changed—mainly because the scale of modern touring demands it. The stereotype hangs around because it’s a good story—but the reality’s just a bit more grounded.
