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11 gifts bands really want on tour

No band ever expects gifts heading into tour, but if you feel like showing your appreciation for your faves, why not be a little extra? We reached out to band members, photographers, merch slingers and tour managers to see what touring crews really need on the road. Check out the list below for something you can bring along next time you head to a show—and don’t forget to bring extra for all the crew who keeps your favorite band going!

Read more: Bands share their scary stories from past tours

Phone chargers/dongles

This was by far the most resounding answer to the question, “What do you really need on tour?” Moving around all the time means that bands leave a trail of phone chargers behind in every hotel room, gas station and Starbucks. Bring them a spare when you see them and they’ll thank you forever.

Coffee gift cards

Whether it’s Starbucks or Dunkin’, Peet’s or Caribou, Coffee Bean or Gloria Jean’s—bands need their coffee. Find their specialty spot and gift them their next cup.

Weird toys

Long drives get boring real quick, and something to break up the stretch between Idaho and Iowa really brightens the mood. Even something simple will provide a few hours of entertainment (and loads of Instagram Story content). You could go more modern with tiny finger gloves and fidget spinners, or kick it old school with Yo-yos, Bop It’s and Chinese finger traps.

Hygiene and laundry items

We’re not asking you to buy bands’ new deodorant (like, actually…don’t do that), but small hygiene items run out quick on tour. Especially easy things like dry shampoo, laundry pods or socks might refresh the van and make everyone’s travels nicer.

Local treats

As much as bands love traveling the world, early load-in/soundcheck sometimes means they can’t explore as much as they would like. Bring them the local delicacy, whether it be Georgetown Cupcake or Voodoo Doughnut, and show them your favorite part of your city—no leaving the venue required!

Road trip essentials

Think about it: Have you been in a car for more than six hours? What did you need? Smaller bands in particular are traveling around in vans and need every road trip item imaginable. A good place to start are packs of bottled water, gum, air fresheners (see earlier with hygiene) and anything else that would make a cramped car feel more like home.

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Gift cards to healthier food spots

It’s tough to eat right on tour, so bands will take any opportunity to try and get some healthy food when they can. Even gift cards to grocery stores help them load up on healthy snacks and hopefully something a little more inventive than PB&J.
PRO TIP: While musicians assuredly appreciate the time and love that fans put into cooking or baking food for them, they usually can’t eat these things because of health risks. You’re much better off providing them with a gift card to a place where they can pick up healthy sustenance on the road.

Pop culture stuff

This will depend on who you’re gifting for, but thanks to the wonders of social media, we all know what our faves are listening to, binge-watching or just are fans of themselves. Bands have gotten Pop! Vinyl, specialty prints, T-shirts and all kinds of other pop culture items. Just make sure it’s nothing too big or bulky—it still has to fit in their bunk, and eventually in their luggage home!

Fanart

Every band has their own collection of the beautiful drawings, letters and other creations fans have made them over the years. If you did it by yourself in your bedroom or contributed to a fan project of 100-plus people, bands love the effort and heart you put into your art.

VIDEO GAMES/MOVIES

You'll have to keep your eyes peeled to their Twitter feeds, but often bands on tour want the latest from whatever gaming system they have packed on their bus. Look out for requests, but be sure to keep your receipt, just in case multiple people bring copies. Otherwise, if a store has a $5 movie bin, pick up a few of your favorites to add into their nightly rotation. 

YOU!

Of all the bands we reached out to for this story, everyone first said they were thankful fans came to their shows at all. If you want to bring a gift for a band you love, that’s awesome. If you don’t, that’s just as great. Bands appreciate every person at their shows, no matter what they bring with them.