In my experience as an LD with touring bands, there is always a full run through scheduled during the rehearsal process before beginning a new tour. Now does it always actually happen? Of course not, because it's show business.

On the day of each show, the band does a line check with or without the artist. Most of the artists I've worked with want to do the check so they see the stage and get a feel for the room. Obviously if interviews get in the way one of the tech.'s can stand in. After the line check the band will run through a song or two that is chosen by the Music Director and/or artist. Usually 1 full song but sometimes an additional song will be requested by FOH or someone in the band.

Bringing this back to magic. I build my show in sections like in a play. This way I can rehearse an entire section separately.

This is my experience as well for a tour. The question is.... do they do the line check in costume? Of course not.

We're talking about the band... they are usually wearing whatever they slept in because someone had to go on the bus and wake them up!

Lol... exactly. I'm usually first in to set points, stake out a production office then back in my bunk until needed. I was directing a Magic Segment for Tone Loc on the Club MTV live tour and wanted to match the reveal cloth to any specific costuming. I asked his "Tour Manager" brother what he usually wore... the answer? "Whatever's clean."

Often with bands dress rehearsals are less mission critical. Most don't deal with costume changes, most won't need to worry about what they wear in the lights, most don't use black art or threads or have methods that won't need to be exposed.

For bands the tech and bump is usually fast more important. If it turns on at the volume they need and doesn't feedback life is good.

Bringing it back to magic how often have you toured a magic show Thomas?

As Ld? I think around 6 tours. A few other one-offs. Certainly done a lot more with music since it pays way better. Just not as much fun, such is life.

I’m not here to play mine is bigger than yours though. Just to talk about my experiences.

I get that. But how is it playing mine is bigger than your's to simply ask what exactly that experience is? Is that such a crazy question?

You wanted to talk about your experience and I simply asked exactly what experience you had? Sorry if that is somehow offensive.