Image: Leeds Irish Centre at end of the Black Midi Tour
This week we chat to Nyla Davison, a freelance Tour Manager who works with artists all over the world. We find out how Nyla got started and more about her life as a TM….
In just 2 years you’ve moved to freelance tour managing with big artists The Japanese House and Era Furman. How did it all happen?
Having grown up in London I’ve had access to lots of great venues and spent a lot of my teenage years hanging out at shows and making friends with the promoters, artists, and venue staff. I had a brief dabble in putting on gigs at The Underworld in Camden but had never really considered a career in music as a possibility. Thinking about that now, it’s probably due to the lack of women in the industry. If I had seen more women in production roles at the time, I probably would’ve thought more seriously about getting involved at a younger age.
A few years ago I went to see Whitney at Rough Trade East and ended up chatting to the band. They had some spare guest list for their next show in Brussels and invited me along. I had some time off at my then job (I was working at a cinema company running events; film premiers, kid’s birthday parties etc) and ended up staying on the whole tour and writing an article for The Guardian about the run. A few months later at Whitney’s Koko show I met the guys from Happyness who were looking for a TM for their next tour. I realised a lot of what I had been doing at the cinema was transferable to live music, working with venues, tech teams and talent to deliver an event, so I took them up on the offer and loved it so much that I immediately quit my job and have never looked back.
All my tours since then have come from word of mouth which I’m incredibly appreciative of. I also work with black midi and I still get really excited when I go to the Rough Trade offices!
You’ve toured all over the world so must have been in so many venues. Do you have a favourite and why?
So. Many. Venues.
It has to be a tie between Vega in Copenhagen and Botanique in Brussels. A huge part of it is down to the attitude of the people that work there. Nothing is ever too much trouble and they really love what they do and are good at it. Both are beautiful spaces, sound great, and are really functional as venues. They have zero “quirks” to work around, and crucially, both have parking right outside.
Special shout out to Bumann & SOHN in Cologne. The hospitality there is second to none.
Image: La Parantheses, Nyon, Switzerland
We’ve all heard of the post event blues that comes after working 24/7 on a tour – how do you manage your wellbeing between events?
The first few days I’m back I’m still in TM mode and have lots of energy so I always book in some self care appointments like a hair cut or spa day. The following days consist of catching up on sleep, eating good food, and probably a big cry at some point. I’m also a huge fan of swimming and practice meditation, I find they both really help with my ability to keep things in perspective.
What is the one item you can’t do without on tour?
Other than the obvious boring functional ones like my portable printer, gaffe tape, or laptop it would have to be… herbal tea or sliders! I don’t drink caffeine and have a few go-to teas I’m really into (out to Tea Pigs Lemon & Ginger and Pukka Sleepy Time) so having that comfort and taste of home really keeps my morale up.
I’m a minor germaphobe so sliders serve me well in venue showers and are a treat to change into after wearing Dr Martens for 16hrs.
Finally, who are you inspired by?
Continually inspired by my mates and how much they achieve. Tash Cutts (@tashcutts) is one of the hardest working women in music, and Jess Clark (@jessicahelenemery) & Georgie Harrison (@georgieharriso) are the creme de la creme of TMs. They’re three people I look to to keep myself motivated and in check.
