Touring Abroad: Finding Rhythm in the Unknown
Writer: Kara Kemp
Heading overseas with your tour is thrilling—but it comes with its own learning curve. From time zone tangles to unfamiliar backstage culture, international touring stretches you in new ways. You’re navigating different beds, different foods, different expectations. The pace might feel familiar, but the rhythm? That’s different.
And that’s where wellness becomes not just important, but essential. We talked to a few folks who’ve lived this stretch and come back with wisdom worth sharing.
The Lift, Not the Weight
Robert Bull from Clair Brothers knows this road well—and how it shifts depending on the season of life. He recently spoke with someone making the leap from being home-based to a full-time tour schedule. His advice was simple, but hit deep:
“Don’t think of it as a weight—think of it as a lift up.”
Robert Bull, Clair Global
That change in mindset—from burden to opportunity—can shift your entire experience.
Bull shared that the hardest part of international touring for him wasn’t the shows or the travel—it was the in-between. The quiet stretches. The downtime. The hotel rooms.
To stay grounded, he started planning small rituals such as finding a local laundromat to feel some routine in doing laundry, FaceTiming his wife when time zones aligned just to look at the moon together—something they always did at home. He found the simple moments, and they tethered him to who he was beyond the gig.
Doing Your Homework
That balance—the in-between—is something even the most seasoned crew members have to relearn when they hit international ground. Culture shifts. Expectations shift. Even how a venue loads in, or how many trucks you’re allowed to dock, can throw you off if you’re not ready.
Zito, longtime production manager, emphasized how crucial it is to do your homework. What’s standard in the States might not fly in Europe or South America. And that doesn’t mean something’s wrong. It just means it’s different.
Next week, we’ll take a deeper dive with a full blog from Zito— after 26 years he has a plethora of knowledge to share- but here are a few of his quick-hit international travel tips:
Zito’s Touring Travel Tips:
Don’t Trust a Transformer. Travel transformers may change voltage, but they don’t change frequency. Hair dryers, curling irons, or other heat appliances may not work properly—or at all. Invest in dual-voltage devices instead.
Stay Connected. Most U.S. carriers offer international plans, but data can be slow. Consider using an eSIM data plan for faster, more reliable service. (Zito uses the Saily app in Europe—highly recommended.)
Health & Meds. Bring all prescription meds in their original bottles, with extra for any delays. OTC meds like Tylenol, Imodium, Benadryl, and melatonin may not be readily available abroad—pack your go-to pharmacy!
Emergency Cash. Always have a few hundred U.S. dollars in cash. Cards can fail, and having backup can make a huge difference when you’re far from home.
Eating Smart on the Road. Staying healthy on tour is tough. Always have a plan. Zito carries a stockpile of protein bars—most in his road case, some always in my bag. It gives me a healthy option wherever he is.
Grounding in the Whirlwind
The bigger truth? International touring asks you to be flexible and intentional. To look out for your team—and for yourself. To find small anchors that help you stay connected. Because just being far from home doesn’t mean you can’t feel like yourself.
Wellness isn’t about bubble baths or 8 hours of sleep every night—it’s about resilience. Connection. Intention. It’s about showing up for your body, your brain, your crew, and your community—no matter where the gig takes you.
What’s Next
As we enter the second half of 2025, we’re doubling down on that mission. From Day Off events to All Access On Site support and new tools we keep bringing you—we’re committed to standing with you through it all.
We’ve had a great response to the educational webinars, and we are keeping that momentum going on Tuesday, July 22 at 1 pm Central Time as we host our next free virtual webinar:
Stage Strong: Practical Wellness for Live Event Crews
A Nutritional Wellness Webinar hosted by ECCHO Live
Featuring Dr. Tiff Watson
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Dr. Tiff Watson
Time: 1:00 PM CT / 2:00 PM ET, 1-hour session
Location: ZOOM (Use this link to register)
Dr. Tiff Watson is a Nashville-based nutrition and performance expert with a PhD in Health and Human Performance. With a background in psychology, sport science, and strength training, she combines research-driven strategies with real-life experience to help individuals optimize their energy, resilience, and long-term health.
Known for her no-gimmick, results-focused approach, Dr. Tiff works with everyone from touring professionals to busy high performers looking to fuel their lives with purpose and balance. She gets the grind—long hours, high stress, fast food, late nights. She’ll share practical tools that meet you where you are. If you’ve ever felt depleted mid-festival week or struggled to wind down after a show, this session is for you!
She’ll cover ways to fuel your body, reset your mind, and stay strong through the haul.
Giving Back: Embracing Community and Purpose
Understanding the intricate dynamics of community is essential in our line of work. From navigating diverse environments to fostering connections, our journey extends beyond stages and cities. Roadies Loving Nashville night, in partnership with People Loving Nashville and Giggs, exemplifies our commitment to community when we come together for a good cause.
Join fellow road crew and touring professionals (led in discussion by ECCHO Live board member, Zito) for an evening of camaraderie at Paradeisos Coffee Co in Nashville on July 29th, 2025, from 7:00 to 9:00pm. Enjoy food, drinks, and meaningful conversations, discovering how our time off the road can create a positive impact.
It’s a $35 ticket and all ticket proceeds support meals, housing, and essential services for our unhoused neighbors, embodying the spirit of giving back.
Use this link to purchase your ticket to support the Nashville unhoused community.
Let’s face it—wellness can come with a lot of baggage. Maybe you’ve written it off as something other people do, or maybe it’s felt out of reach in the chaos of tour life. We get it. That’s why we’re inviting you to let go of whatever stigma or pressure you may have around what wellness should look like. Our hope is that these blogs help you reshape the definition into something that feels personal, realistic, and approachable.
Because at the core—this work, this community—isn’t just about the show days.
It’s about all the days in between.
The tired ones.
The lonely ones.
The beautiful ones you don’t even see coming.
So wherever you are—in a bunk overseas, grabbing lunch in a new city, or FaceTiming your kid while staring at the moon—know this:
ECCHO Live is here. Walking with you.
Empowering People. Amplifying Potential.
Travel safe and have fun out there!
— The ECCHO Live Team
Find out more about ECCHO Live
A special thank you to Kara Kemp
