What my recent tour was like, would you do it?

Dario Napoli · February 27

Hey everyone, I just put together a 3-part video series documenting my recent 11-show, 6-country tour with my trio (Benji Winterstein, Tonino De Sensi), a raw, unfiltered look at what it was really like. No fancy production—just me, my phone, and a lot of borrowed footage—but it’s honest. From the highs of incredible venues to the realities of long travel days and last-minute surprises, it’s all in there.

At the end, I also break down 6 pros & cons of touring in 2025, at least what I think, but would love to know your thoughts.

Check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4aYGkdkvdg&t=265s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3hKbM8t2kM&t=163s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcBQ-COWfOg&t=695s

Hope you enjoy,

Dario

Buco · February 27

Fun fun fun, like being a fly on the wall. Great road trip - live music - backstage pass video.

billyshakes · February 27

Thanks for sharing your experience with us and for all you do to promote the genre, Dario! You are a great ambassador for the music.

Dario Napoli · February 28

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/120189#Comment_120189

Grazie!

Dario Napoli · February 28

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/120196#Comment_120196

Very much appreciated Billy!

Ronald · February 28

Nice to see how the group chemistry on stage is also present behind the curtain

littlemark · March 1

I think you missed the stop sign in the third video... Lol

Benji seems like a nice guy. If like to meet him.

littlemark · March 1

As far as touring, good points about improving your musicianship and the interaction with audiences. Invaluable. The thing I miss ( it's been ten years since I toured regularly) is the sight seeing.

Downsides are, as you say, food. Being a vegetarian can be tough in rural areas. But sometimes you get fantastic meals. Obviously driving long distances is hard in a cramped vehicle.

I've never had to rely on music for money, so it's unfair for me to comment on finances. I have lost money playing shows in the short term, but it has shown dividends with more concerts and fans and merch etc.

The camaraderie is undeniable. But it is also very trying being stuck in a cramped vehicle with other people. Finding the right band members is important. Often personality is more important than skill or musicianship. Sadly, 90% of a tour is offstage.

BillDaCostaWilliams · March 1

Many thanks for taking us behind the scenes Dario and sharing your experience so vividly.

What I remember about band travel is that we often didn't earn enough to stay overnight in a hotel and so drove through the night back home. I re-encountered a guitarist on Facebook recently who claimed I had saved his life in the 1970s by shaking him awake when he fell asleep at the wheel of our VW bus on a motorway in the pre-dawn hours.

littlemark · March 1

Yup I've been there.

billyshakes · March 1

https://djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/120214#Comment_120214

Not in this style, but there was a West Coast quartet called the Exploding Hearts (punk band) that was really getting a lot of buzz in 2003. They were driving back to Oregon from a California tour. Typical bunch of kids in a van with their equipment. Driver fell asleep at the wheel in the wee small hours and ran off the road....he and 2 other band members died. Ended what might have been a promising career (although the music business started to suck around that time). I'm sure there are many more stories like this. Glad this wasn't your fate, Bill.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exploding_Hearts