Travel and Tunes: Gallivanting As A Groupie
The Music Lovers is a 1970’s film about the tumultuous life of a composer, not to be confused with the phrase as an adjective. This term might also be used to describe (hopefully affectionately) you and your music-aficionado-friends. Truth be told, for most adults, even enthusiasts, music for pleasure often falls to the wayside. Even if you’re lucky enough to work with music, it’s still exactly that: work. When’s the last incidence that you had some quality time with tunes? Come to think of it, when’s the last incidence you had some quality time with your friends? If you’re in need of both, there’s a solution: hit the road, Jack.
Follow the Boy Scout Motto
So, you’ve rounded up your best friends with the same musical tastes. You’ve chosen a band to follow via car for a few days, and you’ve stocked up on snacks, caffeine, and of course music for jamming on the drive. You probably think you’re all set, right? Wrong! Nothing is worse than having car problems when your entire trip revolves around driving. Impromptu outings can be fun, but for longer trips, planning and being prepared is absolutely necessary for a fun, stress-free hiatus. Before hitting the road, you should always do a little vehicle maintenance. Make sure all of your car fluids are good (oil, transmission fluid, etc.) and at the appropriate levels. Check your tires and tire pressure, and be sure you have a spare as well as a jack and the tools needed to change it (plus, you know, it helps if you know how to change a tire). If there’s anything you’ve put off, like having your wheels realigned or getting a new battery, now is the time to get those things done. You should also put extra bottles of water, non-perishable food, and an emergency kit (as well as first aid kit) in the trunk, just in case.
Embrace Your Inner Groupie
Groupies, contrary to popular belief, are anyone that follows a band or musical artist on their tour. For this road trip, you’ll be embodying your inner groupie, but in a more compact, condensed way. No, that doesn’t mean more craziness, and it definitely doesn’t mean more booze. What it means is that things will be scaled-down from what you may have seen in old VH1 “Behind the Music” scenes. A smaller (aka less well-known) band, smaller venues, and shorter tours are ideal for a music lover’s getaway without breaking the bank or missing so much work that you get canned (being a groupie doesn’t pay the bills, unfortunately). If you can’t decide on a band or artist you’d like to trail, consider following a small, travelling music festival instead to satiate your music desire.
A road trip with some fellow music enthusiasts allows you not only to bond with your friends, but also to be exposed to new people, places, and cultures. All of these things, not to mention the sense of adventure itself, add enrichment to life. To quote Marilyn Manson, “Music is the strongest form of magic”. Plus following along with a band, artist, or festival – even one that’s new to you – is a great way to stimulate the part of your brain that wasn’t damaged from head-banging in your youth (just kidding!).
