Even among the most obscure, unknown, non-national or international bands, touring is something you theoretically CAN do, but at that lowest level it will require more effort and a willingless to starve for your music (sometimes literally). Most people don't really have time to tour---they MAKE time. If synchronising vacation times were the only issue, it would be much easier to accomplish. But if you're like me or most other people, that doesn't amount to a whole lot of time. You're usually in one of two situations: 1) You're job is cool enough to give you enough leave of absence time (it usually helps if your day job itself is music-related---studio, guitar shop, club, etc.) or 2) you quit and find a new job when you get back (when I was touring a couple of years ago, half our band had to do this).
Even if you're among the few bands who can get past that, you'll be extremely lucky to break even on tour, let alone make money. It's been especially hard on smaller bands in the past couple of years with gas prices being what they are. Add to that the fact that you'll deal with vehicle/equipment problems and a number of underhanded and/or incompetent promoters, and your bottom line won't be looking that great. Being able to steal food is a very pratical skill.
The flipside to all that is that touring frequently is the best way to get your band to the point when they can start profitting from it or even make a living. You just have to be willing to eat shit for a while before that happens, and even then nothing is guaranteed. It's really no different from starting and investing in any other business.
Even if you're among the few bands who can get past that, you'll be extremely lucky to break even on tour, let alone make money. It's been especially hard on smaller bands in the past couple of years with gas prices being what they are. Add to that the fact that you'll deal with vehicle/equipment problems and a number of underhanded and/or incompetent promoters, and your bottom line won't be looking that great. Being able to steal food is a very pratical skill.
The flipside to all that is that touring frequently is the best way to get your band to the point when they can start profitting from it or even make a living. You just have to be willing to eat shit for a while before that happens, and even then nothing is guaranteed. It's really no different from starting and investing in any other business.
