From the outside looking in, the music industry might look like all fun and games- an organization designed to solely make music, and the rest doesn’t seem as important.
Shockingly, this could not be further from the truth. The reason why the music industry is called the ‘music industry’ is that it is indeed an industry- in other words, a money making operation above all else. If people on the payroll aren’t doing enough to pull their own weight and profits fail to increase, then the business fails to operate.
Having a music tours manager is key to keeping (and increasing) tour profits, but it can be difficult work. When taking on a music tours manager, money should be the first priority- whether it’s hammering out contacts (who gets paid what), or even the budget of the tour (which, depending how big it is, can get extremely pricey).
Money can also spell trouble and corruption in the music industry, as a lot of unreliable and shady people flock to pose as ‘insiders’, but only want to take advantage of desperate musicians who would do anything to break in. It is extremely important to beware of people that are only interested in preying on the less fortunate, whether they be posing as supposed tour managers, insiders, or executives.
When it comes to the salary of a music tours manager, every situation is different- it all depends on the popularity of the band or the size of the tour, and the way the contract was hashed out. Some managers are paid a flat-fee, while others get a percentage of whatever is made at a particular show, or some even get both. For an up and coming band and a new tour manager, they can expect to make as little as $10,000 to $20,000 a year.
When it comes to money and a tour, it can be the best thing about it, or the factor that can destroy it. The wonderful thing about the music industry is that anyone can make huge money- all it takes is a little luck and a lot of hard work. Until then, simply keep striving for the best and dreaming of success.