The Giggs Podcast: #28 Kat Gauss | "It Is What It Is...The Only Constant Is Change"

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. 

Kat Gauss has been a tour manager, production coordinator, and personal assistant to some of the biggest names in music. Kat has worked with OneRepublic, Queen + Adam Lambert, Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath, Maroon 5, the Black Eyed Peas, and Iron Maiden, just to name a few. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Kat has been at the helm of some of the most ambitious tours across the globe, ensuring that artists, crews, and productions run like clockwork.

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From “Everything Girl” to Tour Manager

Kat’s first gig? Doing merch, wardrobe, production—basically every job on the tour. She didn’t even have a title. That early hustle taught her how every piece of the touring puzzle fits together, something she still carries today as a leader.

Being a Woman in Charge

Kat opens up about what it’s like being a female tour manager in a male-dominated space. From dealing with dismissive drivers to navigating strict cultural norms overseas, she shares both the frustrating and empowering moments.

One thing’s clear: she’s not afraid to take up space—and make sure her crew and artists are respected too.

Mental Health, Scheduling & “It Is What It Is”

One of the most refreshing parts of this conversation is how much Kat thinks about people. She’s not just managing travel and logistics—she’s thinking about how the schedule impacts the artist’s voice, the crew’s sleep, and the team’s morale.

Touring is chaotic. That’s why her crew got matching “It Is What It Is” tattoos in Bangkok.

That Time Interpol Flagged a Drummer’s Passport…

Yes, it happened. A drummer’s passport got flagged as stolen, and Kat had to race to the U.S. Embassy, get a new passport printed at the last second, and talk their way through airport immigration with two passports. It’s the kind of wild story only a tour manager could pull off.

Biggest Takeaway?

Tour managers like Kat are the heartbeat of a tour. She leads with kindness, handles chaos in stride, and makes sure the show actually goes on—even when no one sees the work behind it.

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