INTERVIEW: Tour Manager Cat Cooke gives us a peek into the industry

In this interview you get to meet Cat Cooke (Purple Tour Management) and read about how it is to work as a Tour Manager, the days on the road, the days in between and what the role is actually all about. Currently she is working with Powerwolf and Sepultura. If anyone is curious about this job, you’ll get a good sneakpeak right here!

It was the 22 of June when Powerwolf’s tour “Summer of The Wicked 2025” rolled in to the small town of Huskvarna. Tonights show was going to take place at Huskvarna Folkets Park, and alongside Powerwolf there was also special guests Dragonforce and Amaranthe who joined this tour for two stops in Sweden.

I’ve never worked as a tour manager but I’m well aware of the busy schedules. And as for Cat, who I already had the chance to know for some years, she also live far away, so in terms of friendships you gotta try to take those chances when tour is in your neighbourhood. Or like this time, close enough, if you want to see eachother.

After the shows we had a chance to do this interview, with some follow up questions afterwards.

How long have you worked as a tour manager and can you name some of the bands you worked with?

I’ve worked as a Tour Manager since 2010 (Purple Tour Management), with bands such as Powerwolf (currently), Sepultura (currently), Therion and Dead By April.

Where so you live?

I live in Svalbard, so it’s quite a remote location, but still close enough to join a tour!

In short, what does this work include?

Anything and everything that is required to ensure a tour operates smoothly. To include, but not limited to, crew hire, organising visas / hotels / transport and shuttles, ordering merchandise, interviews, hospitality & backstage, problem solving, logistics, catering, budgeting, advancing, liaising with the band’s Management / Booking Agent / Promoters / Record Label, Nightliner Company. 

How come you wanted to try this job in the first place?

I enjoy organising details and seeing the jigsaw puzzle being put together. This, along with travelling and live music, is a wonderful combination! 

How did you manage to get into the industry?

Around 20 years ago, I was asked by a friend to help sell merchandise for a UK band called Heaven’s Basement. I enjoyed it so much that I joined more shows which escalated into becoming incredibly interested in the industry. As someone who enjoys organising things, and craving to be more involved, I set my sights on becoming a Tour Manager. At the time though I was completing a Hospitality Degree, so the music industry was never my “go to” career, and I just sort of “fell into it”. 

If you would describe a “typical” day on an arena size tour what would it look like?

It really depends upon the size of the Production, but in terms of a typical day on an arena tour, it could look like the following:

Get-In – @07:00 – Meet the Promoter / Promoter Rep, and have a look around the venue.

Load-In = Production Manager & Crew load-in all of the backline, gear, set, etc. I place signage around the building so everyone knows where they are going, and update the band with directions of how to get from the nightliner to the backstage.

Set-Up = Stage & Dressing Rooms. I allocate all dressing rooms for the travel party, and setup the Band Dressing Rooms. 

Soundcheck = During the soundcheck, I am around the stage area to ensure no one is taking photos / filming.

Security Meeting – This is very important to discuss the setlist, setup of the show, which songs have pyro, understand what the protocol is for a Showstop, etc.

Interviews – Organized for roughly 1 hour (depending upon the amount of press). I meet the Interviewer, and introduce them to the band.

Show Preparation – Updating the band throughout the 1 hour prior to heading to stage, so they don’t lose track of time.

Showtime – I’m at the side of the pit for the first 3 songs, to ensure the media are adhering to the “photo rules” and are keeping a safe distance from the pyro setup. After this, I will be Stage Right and also backstage.

Load-Out & Aftershow – Whilst the Crew breakdown the stage and Load-Out, I take the aftershow food to the band, ensure they know where the showers are, and that they can return to the Nightliner safely.

Bus Call – This is the time set for the whole Production to leave the venue and drive to the next show / location for a day off. Bus Call is usually around 02:30 depending upon the travel distance and if we have a show or day off. 

This is a rough day, and in between there are many other things to consider and organize, such as guestlist, laundry, sending the Production Runner to buy essentials, problem solving, show settlement, Management meetings, handing out accreditation to the travel party (festivals), advancing the next shows, etc.

Biggest pro’s and biggest con’s with your job?

Pros:
Witnessing weeks and months of hard work come together, with the Band on stage and the crowd enjoying the show. Traveling to countries I probably wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to visit (even though for most of the occasions, you don’t actually have time to explore). 

Working with some incredibly talented musicians and crew and being part of the touring family and community.

Cons:
Long hours and being away from home for months at a time. There can also be a strain on mental and physical health.

8. Did you ever have something really challenging happening on the road?

I’ve been incredibly lucky with the tours I’ve been involved with, whereby there hasn’t been anything completely disastrous. However, there have of course been situations such as lost / delayed luggage at an airport, and we need to organize a backup for the show to go ahead. Also, if there has been a delay traveling to a venue and now we are late arriving, you need to keep everyone “in the loop”, and re-schedule the day / have a backup plan. 

9. Some extraordinary memories?

I would say all of the wonderful friends I’ve made throughout the years. A touring family is truly special, as you spend so much time together and support each other through the good and tough days. 

Also, through networking and working hard, I’ve had the opportunity to work at Wacken Festival since 2019 as Mainstage Headliner Host. I’ve had the privilege to host Guns ‘n’ Roses, Iron Maiden and Slipknot.  

10. What do you prefer to do on a day off on tour?

Sleep, rest, and have time to myself! I always feel guilty for not always exploring a city on a day off, but I need that day to relax, catch up on some sleep, have time alone in my own space, and gain the energy to fulfill the next shows. 

11. What do you do to relax at home in between tours?

I live in Svalbard, so I enjoy the calmness of nature, knit, and enjoy having a “normal” routine.

12. How do you prepare for a tour?

Lots of notes, lists and spreadsheets! I like to start preparing in plenty of time, but this isn’t always possible due to there being many pieces in the puzzle involved. It can be incredibly overwhelming when information starts to come through and your Inbox basically explodes, but I just have to remember to breathe and take it one email and show at a time. I always like to try and get, at the very least, the first half of a tour completely advanced before I start the tour, and then everything else slowly falls into place. 

13. Best tip for someone who hasn’t been on a tour bus/on tour?

Be considerate of others, be prepared for setbacks, and take care of your mental health. Also, don’t shit in the toilet on the Nightliner!

Thank you so much for letting us have an insight of the Tour Manager work! As a last question, what is coming up next for you?

I will begin planning and advancing the Scandinavia Spring tour for Powerwolf soon, and then I will start organising the European Summer festival tour for Sepultura. In the meantime, I have work organising merchandise logistics for Hammerfall.

You can se the photos from “Summer of The Wicked 2025”, Huskvarna Folkets Park June 22 here!

INTERVIEW: Cat Cooke, Tour Manager (currently Powerwolf)
TEXT & PHOTO: Cathrin Linné (cathrin.linne@rockbladet.se)
EVENT: Huskvarna Folkets Park