Olivia Rodrigo’s Tour Crew Gets Therapy Sponsored by the Artist, According to Her Guitarist
Life as a musician on the road is no walk in the park; even for those affiliated with the most renowned acts globally. Singer Olivia Rodrigo is well aware of this reality, having toured internationally since the age of 19. The extended hours of practice and travel, combined with long periods away from home, can take a toll on even the most seasoned veterans. To safeguard the mental well-being of her band and crew, guitarist Daisy Spencer reveals that Rodrigo funded therapy sessions for everyone in her touring entourage.
“During the Guts World Tour, Olivia and our tour manager, Marty Hom, arranged for therapy to be available at no cost for all touring staff,” Spencer shared on The StageLeft Podcast. “I’ve never experienced anything like that before. It reignited my appreciation for therapy because I had drifted away from it for a long time, and then out of the blue, I had this incredible resource of therapists, and I took full advantage of it.”
Spencer noted that this initiative encompassed both their time on the road with Rodrigo and the intervals between tour legs. “Honestly, that was among the most extraordinary experiences I’ve had on tour,” Spencer emphasized. “Seriously, one of the greatest offerings you can provide is accessible free therapy, as it can become quite costly.” Rodrigo, whose father works as a family therapist, is highly conscious of the significance of mental health.
Mind, a mental health charity based in the UK, has indicated that individuals in the music sector are “more susceptible to mental health issues than the average populace,” primarily due to the financial strains and hectic lifestyles accompanying touring. The organization has also discovered that musicians are “up to three times more likely to experience depression.”
For Spencer, therapy has enabled her to process not only her present way of life but also everything that has led her to this juncture. “It’s genuinely been a blessing. I feel like it is such a privilege to introspect and have someone else assist you in unearthing aspects you might struggle to confront alone,” the guitarist remarked. “The gift that therapy has provided me is the ability to explore certain issues from my childhood that required expression.”
Rodrigo and Spencer are presently on the final leg of the Guts World Tour. After completing their inaugural Latin American tour in the spring, Rodrigo and her band are now performing at festivals across Europe. They will head back to North America later in the summer for performances at Lollapalooza in Chicago and Osheaga Festival in Montreal. For additional details and to purchase tickets, check out Olivia Rodrigo’s website.