In this episode, we sit down with Kyana White and really get into how touring actually works. She talks about her path from internships to tour and production management, why relationships matter so much in the music industry, and what it’s really like managing artists on the road. We also touch on mental health, burnout, and how important it is to take care of yourself when you’re living out of a suitcase.
We get into the similarities between theater and music production, how COVID changed live shows, and where touring is headed with AI becoming more involved. Kyana also breaks down why Taylor Swift giving nearly $200M in bonuses to her crew was such a big moment, and what that says about valuing people behind the scenes. She closes by sharing her experiences as a Black woman in touring and why real, personal connections are still the most important part of the job.
https://www.one9touring.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
03:20 Kyana White's Journey in the Music Industry
06:24 Internship Experiences and Career Path
09:25 Transitioning to Tour Management
12:04 The Role of a Tour Manager
14:57 Challenges and Logistics in Touring
17:28 Mental Health and Self-Care on Tour
44:38 The Role of a Tour Therapist
45:41 Managing Personalities on Tour
49:35 The Importance of Comfort and Morale
50:45 Finding Passion in Tour Management
57:39 Navigating Artist Relationships
59:01 The Balance of Professionalism and Fanhood
01:02:34 Technical Challenges in Live Shows
01:06:40 The Challenge of Enjoying Live Music
01:10:45 Building a Touring Business
01:13:27 The Resilience of Live Music
01:14:37 Navigating the Pandemic
01:17:25 AI's Role in Touring
01:20:50 Taylor Swift's Generosity
01:23:35 Challenges as a Black Woman in the Industry
01:25:58 Future Aspirations in Touring
01:30:47 Insights and Reflections on the Industry
01:37:26 Reflecting on Discipline and Motivation
01:39:57 Nostalgia for College Days
01:43:18 The Challenge of Staying Motivated
01:45:28 Insights from the Industry Perspective
