8 Outrageous Tour Rider Demands and Other Requests
Tour riders are often some of the most interesting parts of any artist or band’s tour. They often offer an inside look into just how high-maintenance some artists can be….
Tour riders are often some of the most interesting parts of any artist or band's tour. They often offer an inside look into just how high-maintenance some artists can be. This is often exemplified by how specific their requests might be.
Some rock stars require specific kinds of food and drink, while others clearly want a dressing room that sets a certain mood. Some tour riders feature requests so outrageous they must be a joke. Other tour riders -- like one infamous one at the very end of our list -- feature details that are actually requests to see if you read the rider at all.
And then there are rock stars like Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, who likes to see just what he can get away with. He shared in a recent interview, " ... As the years have gone on, and we had access to more and more outrageous requests being honored, it starts to make you ask for strange things." Homme also claims that asking for strange things is a sign of having a good sense of humor, which he says, "other than injections," keeps you young.
So, what strange things have Homme asked for on his rider? Apparently, it has included chocolate-covered ants and a map of Ireland on his dressing room wall.
Homme said, "People would ask me, ‘Josh, why do you have chocolate-covered ants and a framed map of Ireland?’ and I would say, ‘Wouldn’t you like to know, mind your damn business.'"
Our list below highlights eight tour riders. The first from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band made headlines back in 2023. (Make no mistake: When a tour rider is leaked, it almost always makes headlines. There are at least a few items on it that leave you asking, "Umm...really?!")
Without further ado, keep scrolling and find out which of your favorite rock stars have interesting requests on their tour riders.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Brian Ach/Getty Images for Bob Woodruff FoundationNEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 05: Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen perform on stage at The New York Comedy Festival and The Bob Woodruff Foundation present the 12th Annual Stand Up For Heroes event at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Bob Woodruff Foundation)
Mick Jagger
Charles McQuillan/Getty ImagesDUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 17: Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones performs live on stage on the opening night of the european leg of their No Filter tour at Croke Park on May 17, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Prince
Cindy Ord/Getty ImagesTORONTO, ON - MAY 19: (Exclusive Coverage) Prince performs onstage with 3RDEYEGIRL during their "HITnRUN" tour at Sony Centre For The Performing Arts on May 19, 2015 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for NPG Records 2015)
Paul McCartney
Gustavo Caballero/Getty ImagesJack White
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 21: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY; NO COMMERCIAL USE) Jack White performs onstage during the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 21, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Iggy Pop
Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesSAN BERNARDINO, CA - OCTOBER 06: Iggy Pop performs on stage during Cal Jam 18 at Glen Helen Regional Park on October 06, 2018 in San Bernardino, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Foo Fighters
Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesSAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Dave Grohl of 'Foo Fighters' performs on stage during Cal Jam 18 at Glen Helen Regional Park on October 06, 2018 in San Bernardino, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Van Halen
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 17: (L-R) Drummer Alex Van Halen, singer David Lee Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen perform during the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
