THE ROAD AIN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE

Touring bands are hitting the biggest—and most turbulent—year in memory.

- Ashley Carman

To get an idea of what it feels like to go on tour this year, read the daily, anger-tinged tweets from English indie rock band Glass Animals attempting to capture British Airways’ attention after their equipment went missing. Look at Brazilian singer-songwriter Gilberto Gil’s cries for help directed at Air France, or Khruangbin, the musical trio who put out an APB on their guitars after an Iberia flight.

“Everyone is trying to fly with carry-ons if they can,” says Amy Davidson, senior vice president for touring at M-theory, a management-services company. “You don’t know when you’ll see your bags again, if you’ll see your bags again.”

After two years of Covid-19 lockdowns, the live music industry is on track for its biggest year on record. Fans are buying more tickets than ever and paying higher prices to see the likes of Bad Bunny, Roger Waters, and Harry Styles in person. Stevie Nicks, Lil Nas X, Post Malone, and Lizzo are also starting tours that will run into the fall.

But too many artists are hitting the road at the same time, causing shortages of just about everything, whether Russian-supplied guitar amp tubes (sanctions), vans (supply chain), or roadies (the great resignation).