In order for bands to expand their fan base, they have to move out of the garage of their parents' Etobicoke real estate and go on the road. When a band travels the country performing gigs in different towns and cities, it's called being on tour. The Seahorse Tavern receives many bands who are on tour through Nova Scotia. If you're looking for some new and different music or you simply want to see your favorite band from away, the Seahorse is the place to go. Here's some more information about being a band on tour or going to see one.

There are different levels of tour that correspond to the different levels of success a band or artist has achieved. Successful bands who have record contracts and managers have their tours planned for them. All they have to do is go along and play and their support staff will take care of everything. They'll research likely locations to play, find someone to house sit their Port Perry cottages while they're away, book the concert times and venues, collect the money due to the artist, and shuttle the artist from town to town, usually in a bus kitted out like a home away from home.

Artists at the "we're still based out of our Toronto lofts" stage can still go on tour, even without any support, but they'll have to do all of the legwork themselves. They'll likely have to audition for the managers of clubs and bars in order to get gigs. They'll have to pay for their own travel, meals, and lodging, and they'll have to set up and maintain their own equipment. Unsurprisingly, not many bands go this route, as it's almost impossible to manage unless you have a well paying day job that doesn't mind you taking a couple months off here and there.

To see a band on tour, first you'll have to look up the tour dates. Artists generally have the dates, times, and locations of their shows posted on their websites far in advance, so all you have to do is pick the one that's closest to your Richmond Hill condos. It's not unusual for very popular bands to have all of their tour dates sell out before the tour even begins, so if you're interested in seeing a touring band, make sure you buy your tickets ahead of time, or at least line up early if the club they're playing at doesn't sell in advance.

One of the best things about getting out of your Vaughan townhouses to see a touring band is meeting other people in your area who you didn't even know shared common interests with you. Some other special treats include that you can buy a tour t-shirt that could become a collector's item, and that you can sometimes arrange for an autograph or photo with the band.