Rocking the Virtual World: How Gamers in the Music Industry Find Solace on the Road

When the roar of the crowd fades and the stage lights dim, many musicians in the emo, punk, hardcore, and indie scenes turn to a surprising source of solace: video games. From heated Mario Kart races to immersive Sims adventures, these rock stars have discovered that gaming provides a much-needed escape from the rigors of life on tour. Delve into the world of these gaming-obsessed musicians and uncover how they maintain their sanity and creativity amidst the chaos of the music industry.

Escaping the Spotlight, One Game at a Time

Sims and Sanctuaries: Cassyette's Virtual Oasis

For English alt-pop icon Cassyette, the pressures of touring and the rock and roll lifestyle have led her to seek refuge in an unexpected place: The Sims. "Playing Sims and making all the crew into Sims characters – and dressing them up in sexy outfits!" she reveals, "I get so into making my dream house – a gothic cottage-core commune with a whimsical garden, [where] all my besties live with me." Cassyette recognizes the importance of escapism, noting that "games are a lot healthier than drugs, and can be just as fun!"

Crawlers' Chill Cove: Animal Crossing and Mario Kart

Crawlers' singer Holly Minto echoes Cassyette's sentiments, sharing how gaming has become an integral part of her band's tour routine. "Whether it's all of us playing Animal Crossing with headphones on or Mario Kart together as a team, [gaming] really gives a nice breather from the reality of touring." Minto admits that she initially pushed away her love of gaming, fearing it would detract from her music career, but has since learned that "without having [a way] to escape on tour, or during your life, how can you feel the real thrill of being on stage?"

Rollercoaster Tycoon: The Bears In Trees' Tour Bus Obsession

The members of Bears In Trees have taken their gaming obsession to the next level, revealing that the classic simulator RollerCoaster Tycoon became an integral part of their life on the road. "On our most recent headline tour, we were killing time post soundcheck and came to the realisation that most of the touring party had grown up playing Tycoon." says guitarist Nick Peters, "Naturally, we spent the rest of the evening passing around my laptop and slowly adding to a tour theme park. This was straight up to before we were meant to go on stage – there were [literally] vocal warm-ups [happening] on one side of the table, and a group of devout RollerCoaster Tycoon fans on the other…"

Boston Manor's Pico Park Pandemonium

Boston Manor's vocalist Henry Cox confesses that his band's gaming obsession has even led to vocal warm-up mishaps. "Last tour we gaffer taped a Nintendo Switch to the headrest of the drivers seat and spent three hours laughing and screaming at each other trying to complete [co-op platformer] Pico Park! We may have all lost our voices before soundcheck…"