Touring advice for bands: how to pack your rental van

The last two years have been tough for musicians, not least because of the seemingly eternal uncertainty about gigging. But now that gigs are back on the agenda, so too is the possibility of touring.

No tour is possible without transport, so you'll want to give some serious thought to the type of vehicle you hire.

A solo performer with an acoustic guitar will, of course, have a different set of requirements from a five-piece band, but all present similar challenges. No matter what your setup looks like, you'll want your time on the road to be hygienic, efficiently packed, and as stress free as possible.

So without further ado, here are some simple pieces of advice to help you pack for a tour.

Planning is the real rock'n'roll…

Packing for a tour has some things in common with moving house: it's labour-intensive, requires planning, can cause you on occasion to pull your hair out, and can sometimes feel like a giant, ever-changing game of Tetris.

As with moving house, it's best to start packing sooner rather than later. Doing a "practise load" with gear is a surefire way to avoid headaches on the day of the first gig, meaning you can save your energy and focus on the performance itself.

Another hack is to inventorise everything you are going to take. And we mean everything – from instruments, to strings, to guitar stands, to plectrums… from drumheads to drum keys… from gaffer tape to batteries. And, where affordable, aim for a spare item in case of breakage.

No one wants to arrive at a gig to find they left their tuba at the last venue and all the town's tuba shops are shut. When loading in and loading out, tick off each item – each tick is one less thing to worry about.

A tour van is a shared space, and it's easy for belongings to get muddled. Take time before you travel to label your stuff. This will also come in handy in the event of something getting lost.

You may find yourself spending a lot of time deciding which clothes to wear. Generally speaking, it's better to bring a little than a lot. It pays to build stops for laundry into the itinerary, too. That way you won't cramp your style or your van! Don't forget your laundry bag and detergent, either.

Another factor to consider when packing clothes is comfort. A long day on the road can be made much more bearable in light breathable threads, so think carefully as you rummage through your wardrobe. You'll also be on your feet a lot, perhaps more than in your everyday life, so pack a pair of slippers.

The same applies to toiletries. Gigging is a sweaty business and, naturally, you're going to want to stay fresh and clean – especially when cheek by jowl with your bandmates.

But don't overpack. You'll be taking up space in the van that could be used to insert another tetromino of gear or create that little bit of extra legroom.

What needs to go on your inventory? Here's a by-no-means-exhaustive list:

Phone bits. You don't need us to tell you how important it is to have a charged-up phone when travelling, so make sure you take the appropriate charger or power bank. If possible, take two of each – that way you won't have to blame the (lack of) juice when you find yourself stranded without GPS.

A sheet or tarpaulin to cover equipment when parked up. Sadly, vans are a prime target for thieves, so make sure to hide the fact yours is bursting with expensive gear.

Headphones. You're going to spend a lot of time with the same people during your tour. Added to that is the consideration that music should, in fairness, be the driver's choice, so if you disagree with their taste, headphones are your friend. A good quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones is ideal for giving yourself a bit of downtime while escaping your bandmates' loveable but ultimately irritating habits for a while.

A travel pillow, blanket and earplugs. Speaking of downtime, you're going to want to take a nap at some point, and these three items are key when sharing a vehicle with others. You'll know from hard experience that sleeping in a vehicle can cause soreness in the neck and shoulders, so invest in a travel pillow for a comfier ride.

Snacks. Touring is an expensive endeavour, and while there's nothing wrong with the occasional pit-stop for fast food and drink, it makes sense to stock up on provisions before you leave to save money and give your body a boost. Items you might consider packing are fruit, nuts, trail mix and yoghurt.

A water bottle or flask. It's not only singers who need to stay hydrated. An easy way to get your fluids is to bring a reusable water bottle, which you can refill at rest stops. It's good for the planet, as well as your health!

A good book or Kindle. Downtime doesn't have to be dead time – keep your mind active between soundcheck and stage time or on quiet stretches of the journey.



Bin bags. It is all too easy for a band van to turn into a wasteland of wrappers and fruit peel. Avoid this unnecessary fate by having bin bags to hand, which can be disposed of at service stations.

First aid kit. Make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit so you can promptly deal with any minor accidents or injuries on the road.

Need to hire a van for a tour?

Are you heading out on tour this year? Here at Metro Vehicle Hire, we provide new cars, minibuses, and vans for short and long term rental in Newcastle, Gateshead and the North East.

If you're in the market for a van that's fit for a band, why not check out our fleet of vans for hire?