Top 5 Resources for Touring Bands with Wireless Internet

Whether it’s hitting the road as a hit man or finally getting to go out and play more shows with a long-term group, being in a touring band can be both fun and exhausting. And for those who aren’t just taking a weekend jaunt, it’s definitely worth taking the opportunity to explore the various options of playing live, especially when it can mean making a lot more money than playing to the same crowds at home or trying to mobile CDs on the web to people who have never heard his music. The only problem is that sometimes inexperienced rookies make mistakes that end up causing problems for the band, and sometimes those mistakes can even lead to them breaking up too soon.

Of course, it’s easy to avoid these pitfalls and make the entire touring experience pleasant and joyful for everyone involved. And in a more connected world, those on the road can take advantage of the network to accomplish all kinds of things that were previously considerably more difficult. Here are the top five resources for wireless Internet bands, designed to make your journey a success rather than a failure.

#1 – Couchsurfing.com: This is a great way to avoid paying hotel rooms to sleep, and a real superior alternative to snuggling up in the van with three or four other stinky people. With Couchsurfing, there are people willing to open their homes to strangers, providing information about a local community without charging for a place to sleep. And for bands, who can be kind enough to do a little cooking and also show themselves around a city, there’s added appeal to the community angle. It’s definitely worth looking into, especially for bands with fewer members and solo artists.

#2 – Craigslist: Whether it’s retrieving stolen gear, finding out if someone has a crush on the bassist through Missed Connections, or just being entertained, the fact is that Craigslist has always been a great resource. Even better for those groups that find themselves with multiple shows in a single city and may need to find a temporary room to share for a few days or a week.

#3 – Bandcamp: For those who want a place where people can easily listen to their music online with great graphics, this is the best. Touring bands can use WiMax to keep their Bandcamp profiles up to date with everything from sound check recordings to tour diaries designed to entertain fans. And it’s also a great way to immediately follow up with anyone who’s seen a show and decided to book the group elsewhere, or at least pick up a CD.

#4 – Facebook – This is one of the main ways bands communicate with their fan base, and making sure you are diligent about keeping things up to date is a great way to use WiMax on the go. Post photos immediately after they happen, without even having to log into Facebook, thanks to the fact that Flickr and iPhoto are now integrated. It’s also another great way to receive requests for shows, CDs, and merchandise.

#5 – The local message board or Facebook group in any new city: Because promotion is a fact of life, and being able to find a place online where people are actually interested in hearing there’s going to be a great duo hip-hop or surf rock group could mean the opportunity to have more people in the show. And more people at the show means more cash, a more enjoyable experience and a better time for everyone involved.

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