This is Digital Tour Bus' official Blogger account. We're an entertainment/music website out of Chicago. We produce your favorite music web series, Bus Invaders!
On this episode of DTB’s “Gear Masters”, Jonny Camner, drummer of the alternative rock band, Anxious, shows off the gear that he uses onstage, while on tour with Ultra Q and Stateside. Anxious is currently supporting their newest album, Bambi. You can check watch the video below:
In this Crazy Tour Stories segment, the pop rock artist, Robert DeLong, shares one of his stories from being on the road. You can check out the story below:
In the summer of 2018, I was doing a few days of promotion in New York City, when I got an offer to open for Maroon 5 at a festival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Accepting the offer was a no-brainer (it was a summer budget-making pay-date), and that also meant I got to extend my New York City trip to a full week… So the morning before the show me, my crew of four, and my 17 cases of gear all headed to LaGuardia airport to catch our flight to Iowa. As is customary in New York City in the summer, there was a thunderstorm, and all flights were grounded, and try as we might, there was no viable option to get us to Iowa before the show. Frantically, my tour manager Paul Wells considered 1,000 alternatives, but the only seemingly possible way to get us remotely close was a flight from Philadelphia to Madison, Wisconsin, late that evening.
This presented an issue - we were in Queens, and needed to get to Philadelphia in about 2 hours to make the flight. My tour manager hired a Sprinter van and driver (for a hefty sum, mind you) to take me, my crew, and the gear to Philly, on a hope and a prayer that we might somehow make our flight in time. It turns out that bad weather also affects traffic - the theoretically 2-hour trip was taking us well over 3 hours, so when we made it inside of PHL airport, the flight was scheduled to take off in 15 minutes - not enough time to even get through security, much less check 17 bags, many of which were over 50 lbs. Through some miracle, the flight was delayed, so they hectically checked our luggage, and we sprinted to the gate, getting there with seconds to spare. Somehow, also, our baggage made it onboard - if it hadn’t, there would be no possibility of a show, regardless.
The flight to Madison was uneventful, but Madison was a good 4-hour drive from our intended destination, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. For the first relaxed moment of the day, Paul got a chance to use the spotty airplane wifi to look up rental cars in Madison - of which there were NONE available! Panic set in, realizing we had no way to make the final trip to the show site in time, even if we somehow magically found a driver who could fit us and the gear the next morning in Madison. Paul was trying desperately to get ahold of the promoter to find a way, but the airplane wifi went out.
We arrived in Madison, and upon landing Paul was able to connect with the promoter. The promoter apparently called around for an hour, and finally said that he had a driver for us, it would just take an hour or two to get to us. It was around 10pm at this time, and that’s when we found out the airport closes. We shuffled ourselves and our gear out to the curb, and knowing I had the time, I decided to go for a late-evening run around the airport. I returned around 11:30pm, thinking the vehicle would be there soon - I should have known, based on the day, this was absurd, wishful thinking.
Finally, around 1:15am, we see the lights of a large vehicle approaching, and we were so happy and exhausted… and as it rounded the corner we all cocked our head at the surreal vision before us. An old, dirty party bus pulled up, and asked if we were “Paul.” The interior of the bus featured beer-soaked sticky bench seats, flashing disco lights and music that apparently couldn’t be turned off (the driver had been awake for 20 hours I guess), and the cherry on top - a stripper pole right in the center. For the next four hours we tumbled across cornfields in the Midwest in a jalopy of a grimy party bus, to arrive at our hotel around 5:30am, when the driver asked Paul for his $2,000 fee, in cash. The promoter was supposed to cover it, but it was such an ungodly hour we could not contact him. Paul then had to go to a few different ATMs around town to procure the funds (ATMs usually have withdrawal limits), and then, finally, we were able to get 4 hours of sleep at the hotel before soundcheck.
The next day I played to a wheat field of about 10,000 Iowans (about 6 of whom had heard my music before). The average age of the concert-goer was about 50… and the show went great! The one-hour show felt like such an addendum to an insane journey, but I DID get to see Adam Levine escorted from his Escalade through a wheat field to stage by a cadre of burly security guards, so all’s well that ends well…
On this episode of DTB’s “Bus Invaders”, we take you inside the touring vehicle of the darkwave band, Twin Tribes, while on the "Darker Skies Tour." Twin Tribes is currently supporting their newest album, Pendulum. You can check watch the video below:
VIDEO INFO:
Film Date - April 27, 2025
Location - Chicago, IL
On this episode of DTB’s “Bus Invaders”, we take you inside the touring vehicle of the alternative rock band, Harrison Gordon, while on Free Throw's "10 Years of Those Days Are Gone" with Ben Quad. Harrison Gordon is currently supporting their newest EP, Spring Break! You can check watch the video below:
VIDEO INFO:
Film Date - April 11, 2025
Location - Metro in Chicago, IL
In this First Concert Ever segment, the pop rock artist, Gina Zo, talks about the story of her first experience with live music. You can check out the story below:
The Best of Both Worlds Tour (Miley Cyrus) was the very first concert I ever went to. I can remember it like it was yesterday (besides the fact that I have no idea what I wore). I was a massive Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus fan—and still am. At the time, I knew every word to every song and fully sobbed when the show ended. There was a scene where the horse came to the house they were moving out of, and I think my brother was going off to college around that time, so it just hit me hard. (Embarrassing, I know.)
The concert was in Baltimore, Maryland, and I remember this because my mom got pulled over on the way back. I think she was speeding—probably because it was midnight and she had just survived a night of 10,000 little girls screaming Hannah Montana songs at full volume.
The best part of the concert was her body double doing a transition so she could turn into Miley Cyrus right in the middle of the show. The opening number was Rockstar and—my god—that song is still incredible. She came down in this pink box of sorts that showed her silhouette. Oh, AND the Jonas Brothers opened for her—and even came out for a number during her set.
I don’t remember if I got any merch. Knowing myself, I’m sure I did. But for me, the whole experience really inspired me to want to perform. And honestly, some days I feel like a real-life Hannah Montana myself.
On this episode of DTB’s “Bus Invaders”, we take you inside the touring vehicle of the folk pop band, Raynes, while on their spring 2025 tour. Raynes is currently supporting their newest album, Bloom. You can check watch the video below:
VIDEO INFO:
Film Date - April 23, 2025
Location - Chicago, IL
In this Tour Tips segment, the country artist, Brady Lee, recommends advice for being a musician on the road. You can check out the tips below:
I feel like touring looks different for everyone. I know it looks quite different for me than it does for most of my colleagues. But yeah, I’ve got loads of tour tips on how to get the most out of a tour. Most people can figure out the basics, like eating healthy, prioritizing sleep, not drinking too much, so I’ll give some more nuanced advice that hopefully everyone can take home.
First and foremost, under no circumstances should Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze be trusted to get you somewhere on time. I’ve been late more than a few times because of those apps. I’ve never found one that properly calculates the true travel time. Unless you’re on a tour bus with a working bathroom (that management actually lets you use), I’ve developed a formula that’s an absolute game changer: (total mileage x 1.2) / 60 = travel time in hours. I’ve used it religiously and consistently arrive with about 20 minutes to spare. It factors in bathroom breaks, food stops (because we’re eating healthy, not fast food—right?), and refueling.
Speaking of fuel stops, another piece of advice, learn to like gas station coffee… black. Don’t mess around with creamers, syrups, or substitutes. One of those little creamer cups can quarantine you in a lavatory if it’s expired (don’t ask how I know). But if you are in a situation where you need a more private bathroom stop…
Hotel lobby bathrooms are elite. They are always, always clean and stocked and no one actually uses them. If you go in the morning hours, you might score free breakfast, and you’ll definitely get free coffee (can you tell I like coffee?).
Something else that’s helped me a ton is having a bandmate in charge of time-off activities. Since my focus is usually on the upcoming show, setlist, PR, media, and all the magical parts of the performance, I delegate this role to my bassist. Literally part of his job is to find cool coffee shops, local record stores, or anything interesting nearby. This gives the whole band and crew a chance to enjoy the city we’re in—and that’s one of the best parts of touring.
Lastly, if you want to be on tour, and if you want people to keep bringing you on tours, the best advice I can give is this: be chill and be flexible. Your sleep schedule will get wrecked. So will your hygiene. You’re crammed in a van (or a bus) with a bunch of people dealing with the same thing. Things will go wrong, and the more you can be a team player and bring solutions instead of complaints, the better. Tours can ruin friendships, sure, but they can also forge bonds that last a lifetime. I’ve never had deeper friendships than the ones formed on late-night van talks, laughing until we can’t breathe, exploring new cities, and hotel room wrestling matches at 3am (don’t tell Hilton).
On this episode of DTB’s “Bus Invaders”, we take you inside the touring vehicle of the country reggae band, Maoli, while on the "Last Sip of Summer Tour 2025." Maoli is currently supporting their newest album, Lonely Won't Leave Me Alone. You can check watch the video below:
VIDEO INFO:
Film Date - April 4, 2025
Location - Bottom Lounge in Chicago, IL
On this episode of DTB’s “Gear Masters”, James Kourafas, guitarist of the pop rock band, Friday Pilots Club, shows off the gear that he uses onstage, while on tour with Circa Waves. Friday Pilots Club is currently supporting their debut album, Nowhere. You can check watch the video below:
In this Preshow Rituals segment, the americana artist, Jeremy Pinnell, reveals what he does before taking the stage. You can check out the rituals below:
About 12 years ago, I received a brand new bottle of Stetson cologne as a gift for my birthday. The band and I have been consistently touring for about 10 years now. Every night before we take the stage, the band musks up. The nights that don't go so well? It’s usually because someone skipped the ritual or didn’t musk up enough. Either way, it connects the band for a moment before heading out to play a gig that can last anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours. You have to smell “good.”
These days, the Stetson has its own road case and doesn’t leave the tour manager's sight. It’s a very prestigious job tending after the musk, but it must be done. If you’re hanging with the band close to showtime, we will ask you to join, so be prepared. You will partake. No choice.
On this episode of DTB’s “Bus Invaders”, we take you inside the touring vehicle of the death metal band, Baest, while on the "North American Blood Dynasty 2025 Tour" with Arch Enemy, Fit For An Autopsy, and Thrown Into Exile. Baest is currently supporting their newest single, King of the Sun (feat. Jesper Binzer & D-A-D). You can check watch the video below:
VIDEO INFO:
Film Date - April 29, 2025
Location - The Vic Theatre in Chicago, IL
On this episode of DTB’s “Bus Invaders”, we take you inside the touring vehicle of the pop punk band, Stateside, while on tour with Anxious and Ultra Q. Stateside is currently supporting their newest album, Where You Found Me. You can check watch the video below:
VIDEO INFO:
Film Date - April 6, 2025
Location - Cobra Lounge in Chicago, IL
In this Tour Pranks segment, the indie electronic artist, bardz, chats about a prank that happened during a show. You can check out the story below:
I was booked to play the closing concert for a PGA tour in Napa Valley alongside Weezer and The Wallflowers. This was a pretty huge booking, and I didn’t know what to expect since it was my first sports gig and a totally new kind of fanbase.
It was a really hot afternoon in Napa, and the team and I were feeling a little delirious by the time we hit the stage. Outdoors, sun beaming down on the black stage, I could feel the gaff tape in my bag start to melt.
We started setting up onstage, and I noticed my sound tech chatting with someone from front of house. He kept pointing in my direction. The FOH guy shot a serious but somewhat impressed look my way, which confused me—I was sweating bullets just trying to get my gear in place.
We ducked into the green room to hide from the sun and wait for the tournament to wrap up. Soon, the crowd started pouring in after the 18th hole, and I was set to start the show. But my sound tech was nowhere to be found. He pulls up 10 seconds before showtime and just gives me this look—with a smirk on his face.
Then, over the loudspeaker, an announcer says, “Please welcome to the stage, Grammy award-winning artist bardz!”
I had zero Grammys. Still don’t.
The crowd started roaring, and we were dying laughing backstage, prepping to give a Grammy-worthy show. I think we did.
![Anxious’ Jonny Camner - GEAR MASTERS Ep. 581 [VIDEO]](https://www.digitaltourbus.com/content/images/2025/06/Anxious---Jonny-Camner---Gear-Masters---ICON.webp){kind=icon}
![Anxious’ Jonny Camner - GEAR MASTERS Ep. 581 [VIDEO]](https://www.digitaltourbus.com/content/images/2025/04/Gray-Modern-T-shirt-Mockup-Pinterest-Pin.webp)
![Twin Tribes - BUS INVADERS Ep. 2062 [VIDEO]](https://www.digitaltourbus.com/content/images/2025/06/Twin-Tribes---Bus-Invaders---ICON.webp){kind=icon}
![Harrison Gordon - BUS INVADERS Ep. 2061 [VIDEO]](https://www.digitaltourbus.com/content/images/2025/06/Harrison-Gordon---Bus-Invaders---ICON.webp){kind=icon}
![Raynes - BUS INVADERS Ep. 2060 [VIDEO]](https://www.digitaltourbus.com/content/images/2025/06/Raynes-Bus-Invaders-ICON.webp){kind=icon}
![Maoli - BUS INVADERS Ep. 2059 [VIDEO]](https://www.digitaltourbus.com/content/images/2025/06/Maoli-Bus-Invaders-ICON.webp){kind=icon}
![Friday Pilots Club’s James Kourafas - GEAR MASTERS Ep. 580 [VIDEO]](https://www.digitaltourbus.com/content/images/2025/06/Friday-Pilots-Club-James-Kourafas-Gear-Masters-ICON.webp){kind=icon}
![Baest - BUS INVADERS Ep. 2058 [VIDEO]](https://www.digitaltourbus.com/content/images/2025/06/Baest-Bus-Invaders-ICON.webp){kind=icon}
![Stateside - BUS INVADERS Ep. 2057 [VIDEO]](https://www.digitaltourbus.com/content/images/2025/06/Stateside-Bus-Invaders-ICON.webp){kind=icon}
