Part 7/12:
Although some touring musicians can earn up to $500 to $600 per show, the trend skews lower, with many surviving on less than what they might make playing local gigs. Nikki observes that the nature of these tours, while visually thrilling and mentally rewarding, may not offer sustainable financial stability for long periods.
Travel Pay and Absence from Home
A critical aspect that Nikki mentions is how travel days are compensated. Some acts choose only to pay musicians for the performance days, while others may offer a half-day pay for the days spent traveling to and from gigs. This inconsistency can dramatically affect total earnings for touring musicians.