DIY Tour Management

Take your live show on the road, on your own terms. In DIY Tour Management, musician and experienced touring artist Peter Matson (of Underground System and Earth Beat) shares the complete roadmap for independently planning and managing a music tour. Whether you’re a solo act, bandleader, or manager, this course is designed to empower you with the tools, mindset, and systems to successfully book, budget, promote, and run your own tour without needing major label or agency backing.

In this hands-on, practical guide, Peter walks you through every stage of the tour management process. You’ll start by learning how to choose dates strategically, map out logical tour routing, and lock in anchor shows that create the foundation for your run. You’ll then dive into budgeting and advancing—learning how to plan for travel, lodging, crew pay, and technical needs while staying financially sustainable. With clear guidance on communication, tech riders, and promotion, you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to run a smooth, professional show night after night.

But this course goes beyond logistics—it’s also about mindset. Peter emphasizes the DIY mentality that keeps an indie tour successful, sustainable, and even fun. You’ll learn how to build your team organically, stay organized, and lead with clarity and confidence—even when things go sideways. Whether you’re hitting the road for the first time or looking to sharpen your tour planning skills, DIY Tour Management gives you the real-world insights to make it happen on your terms.