By George Pirounakis

We’ve all seen it. The boyfriend, girlfriend, “life partner,” or whatever, dragged on tour so they don’t have to spend three weeks apart. They get “given” a role — merch, concessions, “assistant to the TM” — not because they earned it, but so they can feel important.

And suddenly they’re in everyone’s business:

  • ignoring the actual procedure;
  • calling concessions behind the merch manager’s back;
  • asking questions they don’t understand the answers to;
  • trying to “advise” actual pros who’ve been doing this for decades.

Here’s the truth: if you’re here because you’re someone’s plus-one, your role is exactly what they told you it is. Not more, not less. You’re not here to rewrite the job description or “fix” things you don’t understand.

This industry works because people stay in their lanes.

  • Merch talks to concessions.
  • Production talks to venue.
  • TM talks to everyone.

You? You talk to whoever your actual superior is, and that’s it.

Bands — if you want to bring your partner, cool. But don’t throw them into a role they’re not qualified for and then wonder why the crew’s blood pressure’s through the roof.

On tour, the only thing worse than a clueless volunteer… is a clueless volunteer who thinks they’re management.