In this insightful episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we sit down with Paul Bradley, CEO and Founder of Master Tour and Eventric, to explore the journey behind the creation and growth of Master Tour—a game-changing software that helps major artists, managers, and crews streamline and manage their touring logistics. From its humble beginnings as a simple database to its evolution into a robust, industry-standard tour management platform, Paul shares his unique perspective on how technology is shaping the live music industry. The conversation also delves into the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing role of AI in tour management, and Master Tour’s commitment to supporting mental health within the touring community.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The Evolution of Master Tour: Paul discusses how Master Tour began as a tool to help him manage his own band's tours and grew into a powerful software solution used by major artists, managers, and crews worldwide. Discover how the product evolved from a simple database system to a cloud-based SaaS platform, meeting the growing demands of the live music industry.
• The Impact of Smartphones on Tour Management: Learn how the advent of smartphones, particularly the iPhone, revolutionized how the industry manages live tours. The introduction of Master Tour’s mobile app consolidated essential tour data—schedules, budgets, crew contacts—into one easy-to-use interface, replacing the old-school paper-based tour books.
• Navigating Challenges in the Live Event Industry: The conversation also touches on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on live events and how Master Tour adapted by temporarily pausing subscriptions while retaining key staff. Hear how the company managed through the crisis, receiving government assistance and maintaining loyal partnerships that helped them weather the storm.
• Mental Health in the Touring Community: One of the most compelling aspects of the episode is Paul’s collaboration with Backline, a mental health resource for those in the music industry. Discover how Master Tour is integrating mental health support directly into the platform, making it easier for touring professionals to access vital mental health resources.
• AI and Future Innovations in Tour Management: Get a sneak peek into the future of tour management technology, as Paul discusses the gradual integration of artificial intelligence into Master Tour. Learn how AI will help improve operational efficiency, including tour routing and cost-saving features, as well as upcoming additions like user profiles to help find work and new opportunities in the industry.
• Collaboration Over Competition: Paul emphasizes the importance of collaboration among tech companies in the live music space. He explains how working together, rather than competing, can enhance the user experience and foster growth across the industry as a whole.