The Giggs Podcast: #27 How a Tour Bus is Made | Behind the Scenes with Dreamliner

Welcome to The Giggs Podcast! Giggs is the career platform for live event professionals. We're starting this podcast because there's not nearly enough content out there about what it really takes to be on the road. Whether you're an aspiring tour manager, a seasoned backline tech, or just getting started in the business, this podcast is for you. We're taking you behind the scenes to explore the highs and the lows of life gigging on the Giggs Podcast. 

This week, the Giggs podcast hit the road—literally. We packed up our gear and headed to the Dreamliner Luxury Coaches facility, where we got a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how some of the most elite tour buses in the industry are custom-built from the ground up.

Listen to the whole episode now! Click here to listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube!

How a Tour Bus is Made | Behind the Scenes with Dreamliner

From the moment we stepped into the Dreamliner shop, it was clear we weren’t just walking through a workspace—we were stepping into a world where craftsmanship, creativity, and touring culture collide. Founder and CEO Rich Thompson gave us a personal tour of the shop floor, where we met the expert builders, electricians, and designers who bring each bus to life.

We watched as a basic shell of a bus—just a steering wheel and a seat—was transformed into a rolling home and studio space. Think luxe couches, high-end kitchens, bunk rooms, full bathrooms, and even soundproof recording studios. These coaches are built entirely by hand, with custom layouts designed to suit the needs of touring artists, production crews, and celebrities.

One standout moment was meeting Christian, a seasoned builder who walked us through a nearly completed custom studio bus. With only 45% of the build complete, we could already see the vision taking shape—a master bedroom, a walk-in closet, and a fully equipped studio space. Nearby, Justin explained the importance of generators and air doors, while Damon, a former touring musician turned carpenter, shared how his own time on the road influences his work now. (“There’s only one good way to build a bus—our way,” he said.)

We also heard from longtime team members like Doug, a former Army aircraft electrician now overseeing bus wiring, and Jay, the head of Dreamliner’s 24/7 repair shop and an active tour bus driver himself. Across every conversation, one theme was constant: pride. Whether they’d been there for 3 years or 30, these folks love what they do—and it shows.

After exploring the build floor, paint bays, and interior shop, we climbed aboard one of the finished Dreamliner buses for a sit-down interview with the people who make this operation run, including Crystal Johnson and Damian Holton—both of whom have lived life on the road and now help manage and mentor from the ground.

We wrapped our day reflecting on how these buses are more than just vehicles. They’re lifelines for artists and crews on tour. They’re mobile homes, quiet sanctuaries, and creative spaces. And for us, they were the perfect setting to highlight the heartbeat of the live event industry—the people behind the gigs.

Whether you’ve ridden in one, built one, or are dreaming of one, this episode was for you.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube and ride along with us.