The gig is all set to start. The band is rehearsed and, finally, getting along. The crowds are starting to arrive. The atmosphere is building. But then, a tech problem that the engineers can’t figure out; a storm with gale-force winds rolls in; one of the band members is being sick. It is every tour manager’s worst nightmare come true. A problem that could cause the show to not go on. Even worse, it could spell financial or reputatioal ruin.
For the experienced tour manager, this is not just a hypothetical situation, it is most likely a core professional memory. No show is perfect and you know all too well that there’s always some issue lurking around the corner — especially now when live music events are under a lot of financial pressure. There is just no financial wiggle room, so being properly covered is more important than ever. The real question is ‘Can you afford to not be properly insured?’
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Every live music event is unique — and so are the things that can go wrong. From the bizarre to the completely predictable, the risks stack up fast, and when they do, it’s usually the tour manager that has to pick up the pieces.
Cancellations due to extreme weather, sudden illness, or technical failures can wipe out an entire night’s earnings in moments. Equipment can be damaged in transit or stolen from a van during load-in. Crew injuries — whether from staging mishaps or overexertion — can derail a run and lead to legal complications. Delays at borders or missing paperwork can stop an artist from even reaching the venue.
A world tour with multiple countries involved means visa and customs paperwork must be perfect — one missed stamp, and you’re rebooking flights and cancelling shows. A high-octane metal gig presents a very different safety risk than a solo acoustic set. A pop-up outdoor show in a city centre? You’re suddenly at the mercy of weather, crowd control, and public liability in a very different way.
And when the unexpected happens, it’s not the booking agent or the front-of-house team left sorting it out — it’s you.
What Are The Hidden Costs of Touring?
Although every live music event comes with risks, what those risks cost can vary enormously. If a stagehand calls in sick and misses a show, that’s frustrating but likely something you can resolve quickly, with a replacement hired and paid for out of pocket, and the show carries on.
But if a venue cancels on the day of the gig, the fallout can be far more serious. You could be looking at a complete loss of ticket income, refunds on merchandise pre-orders, and serious reputational damage with fans and promoters, particularly if the cancellation is last-minute and poorly communicated. Depending on your contracts, you might also still be responsible for refund obligations or fixed crew and transport costs, even if no show takes place.
Or consider this: a band’s touring van is broken into overnight and key equipment is stolen. Not only is the next show now in question, but you’re also facing urgent hire fees for gear, potential travel delays while you wait on replacements, and increased crew hours to troubleshoot and rebuild the setup. If that show gets cancelled or even just delayed, you’re suddenly dealing with a cascade of knock-on costs: disappointed fans, lost earnings, strained venue relationships, and the very real risk that future bookings start to dry up.
These aren’t just isolated incidents, they’re the kinds of situations that can derail a tour, eat into margins, and damage hard-earned reputations. And while you might be able to recover from one of them without proper insurance, the reality is that most operations can’t afford to take that gamble more than once.
The right cover isn’t just a formality or a box to tick. It’s an essential part of protecting your entire operation, from your bottom line to your future bookings. As a tour manager, your day is packed with logistics, pressure, and a hundred moving parts. Making sure your live events have the right insurance shouldn’t be one more stress — it should be the thing that helps you have peace of mind.
So how do you find live event cover that truly meets your needs and gives you the confidence that, no matter what happens, you’ll be able to ensure your show goes on?
What Proper Cover Looks Like
The right coverage will look different for everyone so it is important to know what to ask and look for in an insurance plan. The right cover should reflect the size, scale, and specific risks of your event. Here’s what to look for:
- Cancellation cover – Protects against losses if a show can’t go ahead due to weather, illness, or technical issues
- Equipment cover – For theft, loss, or damage on the road, in transit, or on-site
- Public and crew liability – Covers injury or accidents involving your team or the public
- Travel disruption – Helps with costs from delays, missed connections, or last-minute rerouting
- Non-appearance insurance – Covers financial losses if an artist or key crew member can’t perform
- Customisable policies – Your tour, your cover — flexibility is key
Proper cover isn’t about over-insuring. It’s about knowing what’s at stake and having the right protection when it matters most.
Why Choose LMP?
At LMP, we understand the pressure, unpredictability, and responsibility that come with managing live music events. So our cover is built with that reality in mind. We offer tailored insurance solutions — no unnecessary extras, no generic one-size-fits-all policies, just cover that works for the way you work.
From small club tours to international stadium runs, our plans are flexible, responsive, and built around the real risks you face. We work with you to identify where you’re most exposed and make sure you have the protection in place before problems arise, not after.
Because when something goes wrong, it’s not just about the money. It’s about your time, your reputation, your relationships, and your ability to keep the show on the road. With LMP, you’ll have the support you need to manage the unexpected and focus on what really matters.