We used to tour around in a van owned by one of the band’s fathers friend. A used car salesman he’d taken to renting out Inflatables at the weekends. The Bouncy Castle bus was a sight to behold. A classic LDV minibus with brightly vinyled signage across the rusted white bodywork. When the police pulled us over late one night after a show in Carlisle, they took one look at the gurning drunken musicians in the back, another at my pissed off face as driver and sent us off into the sunrise laughing as they clicked their heels back to the squad car.

The bands that squeezed into that van, leaving bass guitars strewn across the pavement as they swigged beers; never made it too far in the music industry. There’s a fine line between frugality, fun and financial success. Talent isn’t always enough because those bands were incredible. The songs were catchy, popular with the postman and found some life via Sentric Music Publishing and placements in TV shows but without the band driving the proverbial bouncy castle bus they were never going to make it.

Owning a van makes good sense for lots of independent bands. A postvan bought at auction or the painter/bass player’s Transit. It saves money on rentals, which are never cheap (if they are you should avoid them). But what happens if the van breaks down and you miss a show? Having bankroll to fund the start to touring life is a must, a financial backer in the form of a rich parent or a naive record label intern might be the answer. Creating a business plan and treating the game as such, is a reasonable solution and avenue to funding.

As the shows start to pick up and the agent’s start knocking, some bigger paychecks may appear which will allow for financial tour support from a label or publisher or Great Granny. This would be a good time to step up the professionalism and start renting high quality vans from reputable companies.

I have recently been approached by an indie band from Canada. They’re travelling to Europe for a long tour and want some advice on van and backline rental. They don’t want to drive themselves and for good reason. The transition from wide North American roads to the streets of Paris is not for the faint hearted or hungover.

They have options; -

Rent a man, van and drum kit from a stranger that reached out on the internet. Low cost.

Or

Rent a van with a driver and full backline from an established company. Higher cost.

I respect the hustle and I have faith that the internet stranger is probably OK. He might not be the same guy that stood watching me while I slept as we shared a room on tour for the first and last night all those years ago.

He’s more than likely the most honest, hardworking and passionately helpful human being out there. Hoping for a break in the music industry before he goes on to drum at stadium level for the Phil Collins tribute show. However, what happens if his van breaks down in Germany? Does he has backup? Full European breakdown cover and a fleet of vans to replace the invalid motor should necessity strike? Can he speak enough French to persuade the AA to tie a ratchet strap around the van door instead of towing it away?

Stretching your budget and spending it wisely could result in avoiding disaster. That break down in rural Germany wouldn’t be that bad, with trusty insurance and a replacement vehicle delivered road side in a matter of hours. Not to mention a little luxury goes a long way, a well-equipped van provides plenty space for instruments, gear, and band members, making long journeys more convenient and comfortable.

There’s something a little more exciting about being crammed in a little multi-purpose van, wrestling for foot space and praying that the stacked instruments aren’t going to topple with slight touch of the brake. Either way, alot of fond memories will be made on the road, pitstops at dodgy services, punctured tyres and intresting car games to cure the boredom- not to mention that banging roadtrip playlist.

Sign up to our mailing list and check back here soon for the Top Ten Van Rentals Companies in the UK and Europe.