When I was wee, one of my favourite blogs was a tour diary from the band Crackout. They would write these no-filtered observations about the places they visited on tour, in a manner which was far more about the no-holds-barred experiences than trying to promote themselves.
Fast forward on some time, and my own band recorded a series of videos for a DIY UK tour that we were embarking on - and took on the same mentality. Sick of all these bands who pretended that everything was great all of the time, or that everything was sold out, or that they had no merch left as it had all been bought up and that every night was “SICK”, we documented the reality of being on the road. Terrible hotels. Mad people. Lots of booze. Lots of fun.
I really love these videos and go back to watch them all through regularly as it gives a glimpse into what life was like at the time - and is much more focussed on the journey than anything to do with the music.
This is something that I try to do whenever I play shows solo electronic, which turns out especially well when I have friends come along that are handy with a camera:
It makes a difference when you can chat away to somebody more naturally too, though it can be fun without. Here’s my most recent attempt, from a show in Tokyo:
Anyway, I wanted to kick-start this thread because I am sure that there are other people out there doing similar. Sharing videos and blogs and photos from behind the scenes on their tours or from their shows in a genuine way - and I want to see them. They are some of my favourite things to read about and watch. Though if you are only going to show the good moments to pretend that you are much more successful than you are then you can keep those to yerself!!