1. Been thinking about that Idles interview. If you're in a band that's doing well, there are some simple things you could do to address the complaints levelled at you. The problem is: you have to operate outside the normal patterns of the industry that made you successful...

2. You don't *have* to have a tour support. You certainly don't have to pick from a roster of bands on the same booking agency as you.
Work with trusted promoters, ask them to suggest supports, check them all out and pick 2 you like...

3. Deal with the supports directly. No industry speak. Give them a sound check. Make sure your crew and the local crew treat them right. Feed them. Give them guest list for mates. Make it personal, take it out of the industry...

4. Drop your merch price each night in the time between doors and first support playing. Just a couple of quid off everything for early-doors attendees. Maybe even pop an exclusive item on sale only before the first band plays. Get people in early...

5. Make your own guest list null after the first band plays their first song. If you're getting in free then you're checking out everything on the bill because you're friends with the band and the band curated the night, right? It would be rude *not* to...

6. Make sure supports don't have to pay to sell merch or price match with yours. Get your merch sellers to sell the supports' merch too. Hell, if you're loading the venue with punters buying drinks at 7pm then get the venue to waive any merch fees for you as well. Win/win!

7. The problem here though is that if you used the industry mechanisms to get where you are, then it's hard to go against them (even though you now need them less, as you have achieved the success they set you up for)...

8. So you have to pick a support from a particular agency, have to work with particular promoters in particular venues, selling a particular company's merch, and their own stake in your band is subject to conditions based on the income you generate for them...

9. Like the rest of the world, Capitalism is the problem. Address how money moves in and around your band and you can do what you want, lads.