It’s been a busy summer for Charlotte Sands. After nearly two dozen cities, rotating headliner slots, and enough adrenaline to keep the whole crew buzzing from Detroit to Philadelphia, Sands kicked off the idobi Radio Summer School Tour a month ago alongside ellow headliners Rain City Drive and Taylor Acorn, plus a stacked lineup featuring If Not For Me, Beauty School Dropout, Arrows In Action, and special guest Huddy. Every night, a different city, a different stage, and a new crowd ready to scream the words back.
It’s a blur of early call times, late-night bus laughs, and the ritual of soundcheck-then-showtime. One night it’s sticky summer heat in Nashville, the next it’s ocean air in Long Beach. Between meet-and-greets and merch table hangs, Charlotte Sands is road-testing new songs, including her latest single “neckdeep”, which has already become a setlist highlight — equal parts catharsis and chaos.
Charlotte Sands takes 1883 on tour with her for a behind-the-scenes look at what life looks like while on the road.
This picture was taken after the show in Pontiac and it always cracks me up. Nothing sums up Taylor and I more than some snacks, some wine, and a stack of horse themed movies. Some of my favorite moments of this tour so far have been having someone to get ready with and to sit with after the show and decompress together.
Friday July 11th / 10:13pm – Pontiac, MI
This was right outside the venue we were playing in Cleveland OH, it was so nice outside the first thing I did when I woke up was sit in the sun in my pajamas, drink my coffee, and enjoy some fresh Ohio parking lot air (welcome to tour) !!!
Sunday July 13th / 11:15am – Cleveland OH
We finished the show and a lot of the bands hung out afterwards. I taught them a game called pizza box that The Maine had taught me when I opened for them on tour and it has always been a favorite. I love that 7 bands and crew members all became friends so quickly on this run, it’s made everyday feel like summer camp and I feel so lucky to get to be around so many wonderful people in so many incredible places everyday, even if sometimes it’s just a tour bus in a parking lot!
Monday July 14th / 1:57am – Cleveland OH (show #3)
We did my VIP here before our show and I fell in love with this coffee shop & bookstore. It had multiple rooms with different areas to sit and work or read. It was so colorful and felt like a place I would visit often if I lived there. The people were so nice and recommended books for me to read on tour (one being The Memory Palace by Nate Dimeo, I’m reading it right now and I love it). This place felt so peaceful and I would recommend to anyone who finds themself in Newport Kentucky.
Tuesday July 15 / 4:31pm – Newport KY @ Roebling Books
We stopped in here on our off day & they had an incredible vinyl collection and so much more. I loved this street in Saint Louis, it was so hot outside we stopped by next door for some ice cream and spent time walking around the area before going back to the bus and getting some sleep.
Wednesday July 16th / 5:39pm – Saint Louis, MO @ Vintage Vinyl
I took this right behind the venue we played, it was the prettiest sunset and we were all hanging out, listening to the show happening inside, enjoying what was left of the sun. I loved spending the day in Lawrence, it was the cutest town and the Main Street had so many restaurants and thrift stores. Everyone was so kind it felt like a really sweet community and I felt very lucky to get to experience it for the day.
Friday July 18th / 8:49pm – Lawrence KS (The Grenada)
Driving from Salt Lake City to Boise ID for our off day
I love getting up early before the rest of the bus wakes up and reading my book on the couch. My favorite is when we’re still driving and I get to watch the different landscapes pass by of whatever part of the country we’re in that week. The morning is when I’m able to find some peace and quiet in the naturally chaotic environment that is touring. Everyone slowly starts to wake up and wander into the front lounge of the bus and we all end up catching up and hanging out before starting our days. It feels like a big family living under the same roof and I love getting to be a part of it even on the busiest days.
Monday July 21st / 8:31am
Follow Charlotte Sands at @charlottesands.
Words Kelsey Barnes
