29th April 2012
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#1 | | Gear Head
Joined: Jul 2010 Location: 2nd room to the right
Posts: 70
Thread Starter | Foreign band doing US tour, advice please?
So ,my band just got offered a 13 dates tour across the US playing one of the US major music venues. Given the fact that we are all foreign and have tourist visas we are unsure on what the legality of this. How do bands Also, we are not aware of the taxes and all monetary issues involved. Does the band need to pay the IRS? if so how? is that normally handled by the promoter? We have asked the promoter but have not heard back yet. Paperwork is still on the way to us, so I'm not sure of the fine print yet.
I understand it is a rather small tour, and the profit margin is probably gonna be quite low given the expenses of being on the road, but still for a starting band from a 3rd world country is quite cool.
Also, anyone aware of tour bus rental places? the tour would kick off in Miami in late August probably. so we are still on time to straighten anything that needs to.
Thanks
Any advice would be highly appreciated.
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29th April 2012
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#2 | | Gear Guru
Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Oz
Posts: 20,022
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My main advice is DON'T go on tour without the correct visa.
Beyond that, you'd really have to look at your income from the tour vs expenses - transport, accommodation, food, equipment rental.
Tour busses are expensive. Most lower level bands travel in a mini-bus, but then you need to work out sleeping arrangements, traveling distances etc.
But don't try dodging the work permit.
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Chris Whitten
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29th April 2012
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#3 | | Gear Head
Joined: Jul 2010 Location: 2nd room to the right
Posts: 70
Thread Starter |
Thanks for the response. We're definitely clear that we cannot do it on our current visas, we need to apply for a different visa, we'll be approaching the US Embassy over here next week for sure.
Keep 'em coming
Also, yeah I'm pretty aware of the tour bus being expensive, just wanted to compare vs a small van and motel/hotel.
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29th April 2012
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#4 | | Gear Guru
Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Oz
Posts: 20,022
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I think it takes a day or two at least to get work permits, and there is a decent fee involved.
What are you doing about equipment, drums, guitar amps, keyboards?
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29th April 2012
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#5 | | Gear Head
Joined: Jul 2010 Location: 2nd room to the right
Posts: 70
Thread Starter |
We are bringing our own instruments, guitars, 2 or 3 per head, 2 basses and the rest of the stuff, pedals and all that plus 1 small midi controller and laptop rig. Amps and Drums would be provided at each venue according to our rider, PA and all that as well.
Indeed work permits are supposed to be emitted from here, my main concern is regarding taxes and that, not sure if it is up to the artist to arrange any kind of payment, or if it is up to the promoter who is paying the tour to pay that to whomever it needs to be payed.
There is some kind of musician visa which I guess we would need to apply for, according to the embassy. I does not specify whether is for payed or non payed musicians, I need to phone them on Monday, else will go for the working kind visa.
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30th April 2012
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#6 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Tampa
Posts: 1,903
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Don't use the toilet in the bus.
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30th April 2012
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#7 | | Gear Head
Joined: Jul 2010 Location: 2nd room to the right
Posts: 70
Thread Starter |
haha yeah, its one of our golden rules.
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1st May 2012
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#8 | | Gear Head
Joined: Jul 2010 Location: 2nd room to the right
Posts: 70
Thread Starter |
thanks unitymusic for the tax info.
we would be doing the following cities. we do not have a route yet.
Orlando
Cleveland
Myrtle Beach
Chicago
New Orleans
Las Vegas
Atlantic City
Boston
West Hollywood
Anaheim
San Diego
Dallas
Houston
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2nd May 2012
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#9 | | Gear Guru
Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Oz
Posts: 20,022
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Some major distances there. You would also need to find out if you ended the tour anywhere near the start, otherwise you'll have a major drive to return your vehicle, or be paying a one way drop off fee.
I'm not sure how much of Unity's tax advice applies to foreign 'workers'. Witholding tax is pretty normal across the globe. This is where non citizens have a basic chunk taken from their earnings in tax, and can only get it back with the help of an accountant and some paperwork.
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2nd May 2012
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#10 | | Gear nut
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 117
| Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisso  Beyond that, you'd really have to look at your income from the tour vs expenses - transport, accommodation, food, equipment rental.
Tour busses are expensive. Most lower level bands travel in a mini-bus, but then you need to work out sleeping arrangements, traveling distances etc.
But don't try dodging the work permit. | Hey Chris, I thought some startup bands hire RV's (Recreational vehicles) which double up as transportation and residence, but you have to also purchase RV permit/lease space. I thought some private parties also rent out their RVs. My advice to these bands is to hire a good local driver who can also cook!
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3rd May 2012
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#11 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2010 Location: London
Posts: 891
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I think you'd need some sort of O1 visa to tour short term maybe.
They're pretty pricey, usually around $3,500. Not sure if that each or you pay that up front and lump the other guys in the band along with it for a lesser amount.
Good luck, sounds like fun!
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