Our next Crew Q&A is with Chris Adam, a freelance Tour Manager and Sound Engineer currently working for Maximo Park, as well as working with FE Live.
He’s recently worked with bands including Circa Waves and at venues and events across Scotland including O2 Academy Glasgow and BBC Edinburgh Fringe.
We grabbed 5 with him to discuss life in the production world….
You now tour manage Maximo Park as well as working with other big artists and events. How did you get from your first job in the industry to where you are now?
I started in the same as many in the industry, playing in bands. I studied music at college, but found myself behind the mixing desk in the tiny venues we played as most didn’t have a house engineer. Turns out I was ok at it, could make some pocket money and still have a creative input to the show. That was 22 years ago. Word of mouth is so important in this industry and I’ve managed to keep constantly busy.
You must have worked at countless venues and spaces – what’s been your favourite and why?
I did two years as assistant tech manager at the now burned down ABC in Glasgow. I loved that venue. It was just the right size that I got to mix monitors for some of my favourite bands as so many passing through didn’t have a monitor guy yet.
Touring wise, anywhere in Japan is always good. Corona Capital festival in Mexico also ticks many boxes because you can get unlimited Margaritas.
The tech world moves quickly – how has it affected you in your role over the past few years?
It’s right across the board. At its most basic, as a TM I cant even imagine doing tours without a smart phone now.
Audio wise, the technology just gets better and better for the artist, but most importantly, the audience. At FE.Live, we stock D&B SL series loudspeakers, which have incredible control – putting the audio where we want it, and away from where we don’t, which helps us with off site noise limits, unwanted noise on stage, but gives amazing coverage for the audience. It’s just better for everyone to stay at the front end of new products.
Tour life is super busy – how do you manage your wellbeing when out on the road?
Daily runs and hotel room workouts. I’ve had many a house keeping person walk in on me in some daft yoga pose. It’s super important though. 10-16 people on a bus, living on top of each other – you need your head space. It’s so important to get out of the venue for fresh air. Also – less alcohol – easier said than done.
What’s your favourite tour memory?
Spending a week in a beach resort in India with Mogwai was pretty special. We had a festival each weekend and nothing in between, so we sat by the pool eating and drinking for five days. There were also some great shenanigans with Frightened Rabbit, usually involving whisky.
Every tour makes them though. Even after 20 years, I still get a tingle down my spine stepping onto a tour bus. The kid in me still finds that exciting, like it’s the start of an adventure.
Follow Chris Adam online:
