Tony Levin Road Diary

Last update from London - I know there have been a lot. These are pics of the production rehearsals that don’t show a lot of what’s going on - but that will change soon. We’re heading to Krakow, Poland, where we’ll set up for the first show, next Thursday.

From then on it’ll be okay to show all the behind scenes shots that I’m already assembling.

Still, there is stuff worth seeing:

There came a day when the crew were presented with the outfits they will be wearing. As on a tour some time ago, it’s … orange jump suits.

So, those of you who are coming to see the show, I can guarantee you’ll be able to see our wonderful crew as they work on and around the stage.

That's Pete... he must be stronger than he looks - that thing's heavy

Story of the day:

“Doing a Runner” That’s what we call it when the band finishes the encore and walks offstage and right into waiting vans, bustles off to a nearby airport and charter plane, or maybe drives to the next city if it’s not far. Sounds cool, doesn’t it. The glamorous rock life. It’s not. Here’s what it’s really like:

On the way to the van you have to rip off your radio belt devices, and as the van heads out you take off your stage clothes, (they’ll later be driven back to the venue) hope your van has the right ‘runner bag’ that you’ve spent part of the day packing up with all your belongings from backstage… and with the clothes on top, because it’s pretty dark back there so you’re going by feel, unless you can dig your cellphone out for a flashlight. Even worse if it’s a car… imagine two guys trying to change clothes in a hurry in a back seat. And, if you’ve forgotten anything backstage, this is when you find out. It won’t be lost because the crew will go in the dressing room eventually, to do an ‘idiot check’ and see if the band left things. (Also to take care of any beer that’s been left.)

Ok, now we’re changed, crammed in with the big bag that now has stage clothes and shoes in it. It may be to the airport and a waiting charter plane. Need to hurry on, because they always have to leave before midnight. Then you’re going… somewhere… got some food, which is nice, but.. all those friends who came to the show - they’re celebrating without you. All that audience energy and buzz… that’s somewhere else - you’re just headed to a different city, where you’ll have a late hotel check in. Or it’s a few hours drive to the next city of the tour - same disconnect, with all that aftershow energy and nothing to do but dig out your ipad and read (hope I didn’t misplace it.) (Again.)

A happy ending to this tale: on this tour we’ll be doing very few runners. I have not asked the others, but I’m really happy about that.