Check Out Lindsey Locke’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Locke.

Hi Lindsey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My entry into the music industry was a bit unconventional but entirely organic. My husband is the photographer for the band The Sweet and Tender Hooligans, the Morrissey and Smiths tribute band. I would go to the shows and hang out. It was a very hands-on, ground-level introduction. The band recognized some organizational and interpersonal skills in me that they felt would translate well to tour management. That’s where Stormy Shepherd, the band’s agent of Leave Home Booking, became instrumental. By working alongside her and the band, I essentially learned the touring business on the job. Before long, that led to me to not only tour managing the band, but I also became The Sweet and Tender Hooligans manager.

That experience then opened the door to tour managing The Vandals, which was a step up in scale and complexity, but again, having that continuity with Stormy allowed for a smooth transition and further learning.

From there, word of mouth spread, and I began tour managing for other incredible bands like The Aquabats, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, and others. More recently, I’ve also explored the promotion side of things, developing a strong relationship with Alex at his bar/venue Alex’s bar in Long Beach and putting on my own events there. Recently I just organized a benefit show at The Mint in LA to raise funds for the Pasadena Humane Society, and working with organizations such as the LA Rams for half time shows with Ray Woodbury president of RK Diversified Entertainment has definitely helped me to learn more in the music industry.

Treating everyone involved with respect, valuing relationships and treating people well – has been a constant throughout my journey and has been key to the opportunities I’ve had.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a woman in a male dominant industry, it definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road, though the way things unfolded felt very natural at the same time. One of the initial challenges was learning how to tour management on the fly, especially for international tours. While being thrown into the deep end was a great way to learn, it also meant a steep learning curve in areas like logistics, contracts, and the financial aspects of touring. I had to be resourceful, ask a lot of questions (thankfully, Stormy was a great resource), and learn from mistakes. Another ongoing challenge in the music industry, I’ve observed, is navigating the various personalities and expectations that come with working with different bands, crews, and venues. Each situation is unique, and building trust and effective communication takes time and effort. Being an independent contractor in this industry, you are being watched and that can lead to the next opportunity. There are always unexpected hurdles on tour, from logistical nightmares in the U.S. and internationally, to interpersonal conflicts, and learning to navigate those calmly and find solutions has been a continuous process.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work of being a tour manager and manager isn’t just about setting the day of show schedules. I also have to find openers for their shows, work with talent buyers, work with ticketing agencies, handle their social media pages, and thinking of ideas to take it to another level for these bands. Whether it be getting them to perform live on 95.5 KLOS, getting the bands interviews, or getting special guests to perform with them. When I help them grow, I’m growing as well.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest piece of advice, and something I truly believe in, is to prioritize treating people well. You will meet a lot of famous people and people you don’t know because they work behind the scenes (like myself.) This industry can sometimes feel transactional, with people focused solely on the next big break. However, I’ve consistently found that building genuine, respectful relationships is the most sustainable path to success. Treat everyone you work with – from the venue staff to the band members – as someone you’ll be working with again, because you probably will. Kindness and professionalism go a long way and open doors that sheer ambition alone might not. Something I wish I fully understood from the very beginning is the importance of the network you build. Don’t underestimate the value of those early connections. Nurture those relationships, be reliable, and your reputation will speak for itself. Also, be open to learning in unexpected places. My start wasn’t a traditional path to tour management, and I know I am very fortunate that it was give to me, but it gave me invaluable insights into the human side of the business. Be observant, be willing to help out wherever needed, and you never know what skills you’ll pick up or what opportunities might arise.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_tialindsey_