Tours don't come together overnight - artists benefit from strong tour managers who help prepare in advance and ensure things go according to plan... or the backup plan.

When you attend a live music concert, chances are it is not a standalone event. It is likely a traveling show with multiple different performances across the country, the continent, or the world. The logistics involved in moving a concert from place to place are immense, and it’s the job of the tour manager to ensure all of these important details come together perfectly. Jen Ochej, Tour Manager & VIP Coordinator, breaks down some of the key aspects of being a tour manager, and helps clarify what exact details need to be overseen in this job. Jen also details how the tour manager fits into the broader artist team, and at what point in an artist’s career a tour manager needs to be brought on.

Here, Jen digs into the advance, which is everything that needs to happen before the tour actually begins. From figuring out where the tour bus is going to park at every step along the way, to planning meals and accomodations, to hiring local personnel at each concert location for additional support; a massive amount of planning needs to happen before the tour starts. Then, Jen discusses how these plans are executed on the road, and shares some stories that really illustrate the importance of planning ahead.

In her final video, Jen talks about how she got started in the music business by volunteering in her local music community in Halifax, NS. She also chats about how she loves the “controlled chaos” that comes with being a tour manager.

Jen Ochej is a Tour Manager & VIP Coordinator currently based between Beverwijk, Netherlands and (when transatlantic travel is possible again) Toronto, Canada. She's toured with artists such as Lights, Jessie Reyez, Ria Mae, Good Lovelies, and more across North America and Europe, and dreams of going back in time to TM the Spice Girls during their Spice World era. She loves coffee, comic books, and wandering aimlessly around Target to get a few minutes to herself on tour, and is always in for post-show Mario Kart in the front lounge! While off the road due to COVID-19, Jen has been honing her crochet skills, working part-time in a bakery, and developing an online resource for aspiring young touring professionals. Follow her adventures on and off the road @jenochej on Instagram!

PHOTO CREDIT: HELEN PIE