19-Jun / 1 COMMENTS

I came back home last evening from my last Europe tour performance of the season with Andre Rieu and the Johan Strauss orchestra. Man, I cannot stress how much I’ve learned from being on the road with this generous group of people. Most of them have been touring for years all around the world, and have so much wisdom to pass on. Since the first moment I joined the tour I felt very lucky that I was able to tap into this mass of information. So here I am writing 5 tips for being on tour. I’d like to mention, that there are probably many books that can be written about this subject- especially about the phenomena that is this particular orchestra and the people in it, but I chose to focus on my personal take from the tour, and write it in a way that people might be able to take these tips and use them in their own life, if they wished. Some of these points are obvious, but I hope something in it will be of help to someone.

 

1. Drink water!
On tour one is constantly subject to air co. Whether at hotels, plains, busses or venues- they are all air conditioned and therefore drying. As a singer and a human we function best while well hydrated- so drink lots- and preferably water. Alcohol will dry you out, sugary drinks will pick you up for a little bit, but consequently will leave you feeling drained. As for coffee, I am very attached to my one espresso after breakfast, but I won’t drink coffee later in the day, for two reasons- first it has a drying effect on me, and second, it plays with my energy levels, and I like to work with the energy my body actually has.

 

2. Bring earplugs.
All the different places you will be in during one day will be usually filled with too much noise. Being constantly in very noisy places, has an unsettling and tiring effect on the body. Having ear plugs, or even better- some ear cancelling ear phones, would have a positive effect. I have yet to buy a pair of sound cancelling ear phones- but I am seriously considering the splurge.

 

3. Get your rest whenever you can.
I can’t really fall asleep when it’s light outside, but just lying there with your eyes closed while in the bus has a big impact. I find that meditation or Yoga breathing exercises- such as Nadi Sodhana, do help give energy back. If you actually are doing Yoga breathing exercised, I would try to limit the daily practice to 45 minutes. If you find that concept of meditation is overwhelming, try just sitting comfortably somewhere.

 

4. Physical exercise.
I try to do half an hour of exercise a day for 6 days of the week- 3 days cardio and 3 days of toning alternately. Spending so many hours on travel a day keeps you too still. It’s nice to use some time for much needed movement. When on tour and the routine is not your own, or might not fit your personal rhythm, it has a lot of impact to stick to some actions that are familiar and support your physical and mental well being.

 

5. Be forgiving.
Remember you are in a strange city, in a new venue and at a work situation. If you are lucky you are surrounded by very kind and capable colleagues, but it’s still a work place. Be good to yourself and to others.

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Alexandra Renska Photography Andre Rieu The Johan Strauss Orchestra Tips Tour