5 Reasons for Hiring A Van for Your Band

April 7th, 2015 Nina Condron

 

Malcolm McNeill from Best Car Hire talks about vans and bands.

 

Back in the Eighties, I had the privilege of travelling all over the UK playing keyboards in a pop/rock band. With a couple of roadies, the 5 band members and all the equipment, it was a bit of a crush. The luxurious touring bus wasn’t for us but instead the choice between a Ford Luton, a struggling generic minibus, or whatever your local van hire company had left in stock.
Roll on thirty years, and life has certainly got easier for the touring band. PAs are smaller and more powerful. Backline amps and cabinets are combined and more portable, and keyboards can fit on your iPad instead of having to humph an organ and a Lesley cabinet with a revolving speaker. Drums haven’t changed much unless you like the sound of an electronic kit or drum machine  (not my choice!).

So what are the top 5 reasons why you should hire a van for your band?

 

1: Cost of Ownership

The cost of buying, taxing and maintaining a van is probably not cost-effective to your average weekend band, getting infrequent bookings and struggling to get paid at the end of a noisy pub gig or rowdy late-night wedding.

2: Think Small and Save Money

Because many bands and musicians have downsized over the years, there is not the same need to hire a large van. By using a car or van rental price comparison site, there are great local deals to be found on smaller vans, SUVs, people carriers or Estate cars

3: Can I Have My Money Back?

Hired vans can be cancelled should your gig fall through or your drummer quits (as if that would happen!) – so if the booking is cancelled within 7 days of the car rental booking date and at least 48 hours before pick-up time, all funds will be reimbursed.

4: Never Miss a Beat

Hired vans, in most cases, come with full roadside assistance, ensuring you get to the gig on time without looking like an oily rag!

5: Travelling Abroad -

You can book the van or the car of your choice in advance, using an online car or van rental comparison site or app. Get the best choice of vehicles and save time by having the boring paperwork prepared in advance.

And Finally…..

If you are a successful touring band, you can ignore all of the above as your tour manager is likely to have solved all your travel arrangements, be it a private jet, luxurious touring bus or a smaller splitter van.

About the author:

Malcolm McNeill is the owner of the car rental comparison website BestCarHire.com.

Back in the eighties, he played keyboards with Passionate Friends, was managed by Harvey Goldsmith, was signed to the MCA record label and supported The Police, Rod Stewart, Big Country and Nik Kershaw.