Kai Hahto recalls gruelling pre-Nightwish tours with 11 musicians sharing a van: “There was not even place to go to sleep”

Nightwish drummer Kai Hahto has reflected on the difficult touring conditions he experienced before joining the symphonic metal giants. In a Chaoszine interview, he recalled spending weeks on the road in cramped vans, without the facilities now available to him.

On one North American run, Hahto was filling in on drums and shared a van with members of Insomnium. Eleven people travelled together for five weeks, with barely enough room to sleep.

“There was 11 guys sitting in that fucking van for five weeks. There was not even place to go to sleep,” Hahto recalled.

He described venues without backstage rooms, showers, road crews or drum technicians. The musicians often had to carry and watch over their own equipment. On one tour, he remembers the entire band’s fee being just $250 per show.

Hahto contrasted those experiences with touring in Nightwish, where the production can include its own travelling kitchen and chefs. Having experienced both extremes, he said he does not take the better conditions for granted or worry much about minor inconveniences.

Watch the full interview below.