Orla Gartland: The Financial Struggles of Touring

While mainstream artists like Taylor Swift and Coldplay are raking in billions from ticket sales, the reality for many indie musicians is far from glamorous. Dublin-based artist Orla Gartland, who is gearing up for her first-ever North American tour, revealed that despite sold-out shows across major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle, her venture could lead to a staggering loss of approximately $40,000.

For many artists, the cost of touring has become a daunting hurdle. Expenses such as vehicle rentals, fuel, crew wages, and accommodation have surged since 2019, forcing some, like Little Simz and Rachel Chinouriri, to cancel their planned US tours due to unmanageable financial logistics. Gartland’s tour is an exciting milestone for her, but she admits that it’s equally terrifying to prospect a financial loss.

“I even had to pay to expedite the band’s visas the other day,” she noted with a wince. “It’s scary, but everything will go ahead.” The artist remains committed to her dream of touring in America, which has been at the top of her bucket list since she was a teenager posting songs on YouTube under the moniker “MusicMaaad.”

Despite not being a mainstream name yet, Gartland has garnered a dedicated fan base through her earlier work. Musically savvy listeners have acknowledged her potential since her early EPs, “Lonely People” and “Roots,” which showcased her unique lyrical voice and sophisticated songwriting capabilities. In 2016, she launched a “Secret Demo Club,” allowing about 1,000 subscribers to support her work directly while enjoying exclusive content such as demo recordings and live streams. Her popularity surged in 2022 when her track “Why Am I Like This” was featured in the Netflix hit series “Heartstopper,” leading to 1.4 million streams within a week of its release.

As Gartland embarks on this long-awaited tour, she expresses her admiration for American fans, recalling their unique dedication to live music. "I've had messages from people saying they’re going to drive 12 hours from North Carolina to see me. It's incredible how much they care."

A New Album Ready for Live Audiences

Her latest album, “Everybody Needs A Hero,” released recently, is designed with live performances in mind, brimming with anthems and introspective tracks that span emotional extremes. Songs like “Kiss Ur Face Forever” and “Little Chaos” deliver the energy expected at live shows, while more vulnerable tracks like “The Hit” explore the intricacies of relationships.

The album’s lyrical depth invites listeners into a rich emotional landscape, offering a powerful narrative about love and identity. Gartland emphasized that unlike mainstream pop, her experiences reflect a more nuanced understanding of relationships, “It’s way more dense, and I thought it’d be interesting to commit to that as a thread running through the album.”

Critics have responded positively to her new work, highlighting its evolution and energy. Notably, sources such as Far Out Magazine have noted it as an “incredible evolution,” praising Gartland as a standout in the alt-pop genre, establishing her presence among the indie music elite.

Although Gartland feels proud of her new record, she admits, “I have no perspective,” echoing the sentiment that living with the album for two years has clouded her ability to evaluate it objectively.

Collaborating with her indie-pop supergroup Fizz has also inspired her creative process. They released an album that departed from her meticulous solo work, instead opting for a more relaxed, spontaneous approach to the recording process. “It was exciting to have well-recorded drums to write over,” she explained, recognizing how this freedom infused fresh energy into her music.

As she prepares for her US tour, Gartland is excited to share her new music with fans, even if it comes at a financial cost. Her passion for music and connection with her audience far outweigh the fear of a monetary loss.

Anticipating the Road Ahead

Despite the logistical hurdles and financial setbacks, Gartland looks forward to the tour. “I expect it to be a fun, gnarly couple of weeks on the tour bus,” she said, subtly hinting at the adventurous spirit that drives her passion for music.

With memories of home-cooked meals and the comforts of her kitchen looming in her mind, she humorously contemplates the challenges of hotel food. “I've definitely watched YouTube videos of people making elaborate food with the apparatus given to you in a hotel room,” she shared, entertaining the idea of unconventional cooking methods.

As the date of her highly anticipated tour approaches, one thing is clear: Orla Gartland is prepared to face the music—both on stage and in the financial realities of an indie artist’s life.