The top most common misconceptions about being a Roadie?
Think roadies are all about partying, living it up backstage, and mingling with rock stars? You might have been right during the Woodstock era, but times have changed dramatically. Today, the life of a roadie is far from the wild party image. If you have a show that day, you're likely to be busy for most of it, especially after the performance ends. Sure, you might have a day off here and there, but you're more likely to catch up on sleep and recharge rather than party.
In today's industry, tours demand high levels of professionalism and reliability, given the significant financial backing and complex equipment involved. The concept of the party roadie has faded away, replaced by a more serious, specialized role.
While roadies still know how to have fun, the focus is very much on getting the job done well.
Roadies Just Party All the Time
If you were asking this question during the Woodstock, you might have been right. But nowadays, there's simply no room for that kind of behaviour. I don't know when people imagine all this partying happens. If you have a show that day, you're likely to be busy for most of it, especially after the show ends.
Sure, you could party on your day off, but you're probably more inclined to catch up on sleep and make the most of your day. Some tours still adopt a "work hard, party harder" approach, but generally, if you have that mindset, you probably wouldn't last long in the industry.
These shows and tours have a lot more financial backing then they used too, and they require people who take their jobs seriously and are reliable. As equipment became more complex and required greater specialization, and as the world became more safety-conscious, the concept of the old party roadie gradually faded away. But we still like to have a good time.
Anyone Can Be a Roadie
Sometimes it might seem like anyone can be a roadie as long as they know what they're doing, but even experienced individuals often struggle with this unique lifestyle and profession.
Adapting to the endurance and demanding work schedule required can be challenging. Many find it difficult to maintain the necessary pace, communicate effectively with diverse personalities on tour, and conduct themselves appropriately. Especially post-COVID, with an increased focus on work-life balance, finding reliable roadies who can get the job done is likely to become even more difficult.
Roadies Are Always on the Road
This is entirely up to the individual. You can choose to do one tour a year that lasts only a few months and live off the proceeds, or you can be on the road for the entire year if necessary. Some people stick with a single tour every time it goes out, while others pick up as many tours as they can. The biggest concern is that if you keep turning down work, not because you're busy but because you don't want it, people will eventually stop calling you.
Roadies Get Free Concerts
I suppose this is somewhat accurate. If you have free time, you can watch the shows from the crowd or from the side of the stage, although the latter is often overrated. Everything in the show is directed towards the audience, so if you're on the side-lines, the sound can be poorly distorted.
That said, most of the time, you just want to focus on your job: ensure the show goes well, pack up the equipment onto the trucks, and then rest. You either go back to your tour bus or head to the next venue. Like any job, when you're close to something, you lose some of the magic behind it, so your interest in live performances might wane.
This isn't always the case, but it's not common for Roadies to frequently watch other artists' shows. It definitely shouldn't be a primary reason to get into the industry.
Roadies Are Just Failed Musicians
If this is suggesting that many roadies are people who have learned to play an instrument and initially tried to make a living from it, then yes, that's correct. Many roadies can play an instrument, though not all of them. Perhaps the percentage is higher compared to other professions, but this likely stems from their interest in the music industry, which led them to acquire the skills and the job they have.
Some roadies pick up their skills by doing their own shows, becoming proficient, and eventually doing the job for others on tour. Yes, some roadies tried to make a living as musicians and ended up supporting other musicians instead. However, it's not accurate to say that all roadies are failed musicians. It's just one of the pathways that lead people to this profession.
Roadies Have No Job Security
This is true for anyone operating on a freelance basis. You gain job security in the sense that if you consistently perform well, more people will want to hire you. You can stick with tours for extended periods and reasonably expect to be invited back for future tours. However, there is no real job security. This lack of stability is due to the nature of freelancing, not the profession or industry itself.
I will say it's a good idea to have an alternative source of income for when touring slows down. However, that's not always possible for everyone.
All Roadies Are Men
Is it a more male-dominated industry? Technically, yes, it is. However, there are positions within the industry that are more female-dominated.
Roadies Get Paid to Travel
Anyone who has a job where they're technically paid to travel will understand that this is not necessarily a selling point for the job. Yes, you get to visit many countries, but you're working. Unless people want to know what it looks like between the airport and your hotel, or the hotel and the venue, you rarely get to see much of these places.
Sure, you might get a few days off in different countries, but you're not hanging out with family or close friends, so it's not the same kind of good time. You're likely catching up on personal tasks and getting ready for your next workday.
So yes, you do get to see the world, and it can be fantastic and amazing, but it's not what you might expect.
Roadies Don’t Have Personal Lives
Maintaining a personal life with a job that requires extensive travel can be difficult. You're away for long periods, missing special events. However, with advance notice, you can inform the tour managers about your unavailability, allowing you to attend important events like weddings or funerals.
Relationships are possible but depend on your partner's ability to handle your absences. Modern technology makes communication easier, and you might even stay more connected while away. When home, you must actively reach out to friends and family, as they may not always include you in plans. It can feel awkward, but it's essential to maintain those relationships.
Roadies Are Unprofessional
It all depends on the tour, its management, and the people you're working with. Do we have an HR department? No. Do we adhere to typical office rules? Definitely not. But that doesn't mean we're unprofessional. In fact, this industry aligns more with genuine human behaviour and interactions.
It can seem harsh at first, but as you get to know it, you can have a lot of fun without the strict, sometimes absurd requirements of traditional workplaces. If you're unprofessional, you'll usually stick out and may not last long on a tour. So, do I think roadies are professional? Yes, I do.
Being a Roadie is a Glamorous Job
Is touring as a roadie more glamorous than it used to be? I would say yes, but this is more due to advancements in technology and changes in what the average tour entails and what people are willing to accept. Can it still be unglamorous? Absolutely. If you've seen some of the facilities at events or festivals, you'd understand.
Being backstage isn't glamorous when you're working; you've got responsibilities and tasks to complete. You're not hanging out with musicians and artists, chatting, and drinking. You're there to work. When you're watching the show from the side of the stage, you're not thinking, "What an amazing performance." You're thinking about what you need to do next and all the work that lies ahead.
Roadies Are Just Groupies
From what I hear, back in the day, roadies were just groupies, but that's definitely not the case now. Today, you're there to do a job, know what you're doing, and take full responsibility for your area. If you acted like a groupie, you wouldn't last long. You're expected to be a professional. You're more likely to find yourself sitting on the tour bus discussing tax registration and whether you should be freelance or a limited company rather than talking about your favourite singers and artists.
Thanks for reading. I hope this has cleared up a lot of the common misconceptions about what it means to be a roadie in this day and age. Yes, the job comes first, but we still have a great time, and you can experience a lot of the world along the way. It’s a fantastic way to see the world without being stuck behind a desk.
