The Efficient Hustle: Lessons on being a professional production manager I learned while touring the world with a pop star

by Lucas Meek, Susan Gaigher (Editor)

When people imagine touring with a band, they envision a glamorous life spent hanging with celebrities. But managing a tour is similar to running a business . There are employees and budgets to look after. The workload and responsibilities are extraordinary. And the demands on our time can be overwhelming. Without efficient work practices in place, the stress and lack of sleep make it impossible to thrive in the world of tour and production management.

In The Efficient Hustle, Lucas recollects stories from his first international tour when burnout nearly destroyed him. Revealing mistakes he made along the way and the subsequent lessons learned because of them, he delivers proven methods anyone can immediately implement that will enable them “A fascinating look at the nuances of production management. Efficiency is a true craft and Luke Meek has it dialed.”
Adam Owl City

"This book will be very helpful to anyone thinking about or wanting to learn more about going on the road, or move up in their touring career.”
Kevin Warped Tour Founder

1. I’m interested in touring but not sure if it’s right for me. Should I read this book?
Yes! Using stories from his first international touring experience, Lucas describes what it’s like to tour around the world, and lessons he learned along the way. If you decide to give touring a try, the practices explained in this book will have you feeling confident as you begin your career as a touring professional.

2. I’ve been touring for a while now; is there any reason I should read this book?
Yes, this book is also helpful for those who have already began their touring career. With an emphasis on attention to detail, you’ll learn ways to streamline your workflow, communicate more efficiently, and organize all the information you receive; improving your quality of life on the road.

3. I have no interest in touring professionally. Why should I read this book?
With demands for our attention coming from every direction at a mind-boggling rate, time is at a premium, and everyone can benefit from efficient communication and organization. The methods described in The Efficient Hustle are universal and will help streamline workflow, even if you have no desire to tour professionally.

4. I’m currently touring but have no desire to be a tour or production manager. Should I read this book?
This book offers techniques that anyone can implement to be more efficient, regardless of position. Not only will this make your job easier, those around you will appreciate the professionalism as well.

5. I want to know what it’s like to tour with a band. Who owns the tour bus? What do all those roadies do? How does the band get their equipment overseas? And what is with those crazy hospitality riders!?
This book explains all of this and more!

300 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2023

Reviews

[J Chisum Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for anyone in the touring business. I started off my touring-career journey as a personable but HIGHLY disorganized merch dude. Total Lebowski-slacker type, couldn’t maintain an accurate inventory in AtVenu to save my life BUT was good enough of a hang/vibe that I was kept on and managed to do well in spite of my “whatever maaaaan” tendencies. Eventually got promoted to Assistant Tour Manager and started to take a good look at myself. I found that I needed to quit drinking and get organized. Around that time, a TM buddy of mine suggested this book. And there it was: all of the organizational tools I’d need to plan, advance, execute, and settle a tour like a PRO. No bullshit there, if you take Lucas’ forms, fill them in with your own info and adjust for whatever info is pertinent to your tour/settlement, you’re going to be absolutely fine and come off pro on the email/paperwork side of things at the very least. Read the book, do as he says, figure out how to put your own personality into it, and you’ll be well on your way into becoming the Salty Road Dawg you’ve always dreamed of being.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember attending a conference where we had a production manager who said if you had a good attitude and worked hard, you could do it. But they never answered *what* they did.

What I appreciated is this book helps you understand WHAT responsibilities could be expected of this role. (If you’ve never done it before - helpful!)

Things to expect, ways to mitigate potential issues and ways to streamline accomplishing the task.

I’m a former industry person, but this gave me a bigger respect for the work touring folks have to do while on the road.

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re interested in getting into the live music touring industry but don’t know where to start, this book serves as a great resource. It breaks down and simplifies the ins and outs of touring, and as someone who used to work on the road I wish I would’ve had this info before I stepped foot in my first venue. It also has some pro-tips that people in production or tour management could benefit from at any stage of their career

[Emery Cilluffo · Rating 5 out of 5]

fed right in to my rampant type-a tendencies