Life on the road: What is a musician’s life actually like?

𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁. 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲: 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵

While the world of music, recognition, and fame may appear alluring and thrilling to some, people frequently overlook the negative aspects of this lifestyle.

Although it may be comforting to know that everywhere you go, there will most likely always be someone who supports you and your art/work, how does that make you feel in reality?

Fame enables you to accomplish things that the normal person can't.

Naturally, it may also provide you with the extravagant lifestyle that almost everyone dreams of (celebrities are typically far more luxurious than the average Joe), enormous opportunities, the possibility of receiving special treatment everywhere you go, and, of course, the much more obvious financial aspect... But being a celebrity entails a variety of ups and downs.

However, what is this life like coming from someone who has lived it for several years?

Miguel "Mike" Gaspar, the former drummer of the Portuguese heavy/black metal band, Moonspell, shared his experience in this world of music and stardom.

He revealed: "Music has always been a part of my life since I was pretty much a baby. I was born and raised in Boston, and I can tell you that American culture is very different from the Portuguese one [...]. You go play and sing on the streets, and that’s something that brought up the spark in me at such an early age for sure.”

The musicians who can make a living out of their passion might count themselves fortunate, as job security is almost non-existent in this industry since they frequently work as self-employed artists.

And even though some artists make millions, the majority earn barely enough to cover their living costs, not to mention that the work-life balance can be really poor, since you will be compelled to spend the most of your time on the road, travelling from one destination to another.

Mike explained: “Everything has its ups and downs, and this certainly isn’t different. I have always enjoyed being part of a group, it’s like a family, but there are times when we work well together and other times when we just can’t stand each other’s faces anymore.

[…] Through the years, social media came along, and it became obsessive. Most of the things said are not actually about the music but yourself.

All I ever wanted was just to create music and to be treated like a normal person […] and not differently just because I’m part of a band”.

Living on the road itself can be an adventure or a nightmare... It's all up to you, your preferences, your age, and perhaps even your career stage.

Although visiting new places, meeting new people, witnessing new cultures, and trying out new cuisines can be immensely enjoyable... What about your family and friends?

Mike told us: “It’s a very difficult life in the sense that it takes a lot of your family time. Unfortunately, I couldn’t be there for many of my family marriages, funerals, Christmases and even birthdays… Even though you can connect yourself with them online, it’s not the same.

But on the other hand […] I had the opportunity and honour of meeting all of my idols and that’s priceless and incredible after all.”

But what about the most essential and thrilling aspect of a musician's life? Touring.

A lot happens throughout a single day on tour... People work diligently and together to ensure that the show runs smoothly; countless rehearsals and difficult backstage moments... leaves us wondering… what does a normal day on tour look like?

Frankly, the answer varies based on the artist's size and the venue itself... nonetheless, it can be extremely stressful.

Mike said: “On a normal day of the tour, I would say I probably speak to more people than the average person in a year, especially if it’s a big show.

The quantity of information that you have to process in those little two months is insane […] it’s exactly like having your house on wheels.

And if you think you’re going to have any kind of privacy while you’re on the road then forget about it. Sharing a bus with all the band members sometimes goes well and another time it doesn’t, but you kind of just start getting used to it.”

To be able to do what you love and be paid for it must be priceless. How many people do you know who mourn about their jobs daily?

This can be a slightly different story for beginners. If you can't afford to live solely on music, you might have to establish a second job... Thus, while it may not make you the happiest person on the planet, it is necessary for paying your expenses and funding your aspirations.

José Azevedo, a student of music who has yet to make his debut in a Portuguese heavy metal band, explained to us: “I know my musical career has barely started, but I genuinely believe that being able to do what you truly love is the best blessing you can have in life.

But one of the most difficult things for me to keep up with is that in my country you can’t make a living out of your dreams yet, therefore you’ll need to have a side job that will help you pay your bills, something that will allow you to live comfortably while you keep investing in your passion. Your career can, in a way, kind of become a “hobby” for a little while.’

José's passion for music began when he was a small child, during the days when his parents introduced him to bands, they used to listen to when they were younger.

He quickly became so interested in music that he decided to stay connected to it by playing the guitar and singing in a church group, and eventually engaging in music schools where he began to receive proper training for his voice.

However, as someone who is just getting warmed up in this vast universe of potential, what are José's favourite and least favourite aspects of being a musician?

He said: “The least favourite part of this must certainly be not being able to spend as much time with my family, since we’re so close to each other it can be really painful.

Tours and even album promotions can take a lot of your time, but it’s something that must be done so there’s no escaping.

On the other hand, my favourite part of being a musician is being able to play live and be able to express the message we want to transmit to people face-to-face. I love being a musician because you can create a whole show with so many different emotions and feelings.”

At the end of the day, musicians join forces to create more opportunities for themselves.

Music is an essential component of human survival... It's one of the ways we make sense of our existence and a fantastic way to communicate and express ourselves when we cannot speak...

Because sometimes, our emotions comprehend things that our heads can’t', musicians play such a vital role in society that we should all come together and give our best to appreciate their work.