Roadies

Roadies (singular: Roadie) were the fan base name for the English boy band, RoadTrip. In the Oxford dictionary, it has been defined as "a person employed by a touring band of musicians to set up and maintain equipment". Due to this not sounding quite appealing, we could think of it as fans who have helped built them and kept them sane, as it was a well-known fact that they could be chaotic and forgetful at times. More definitions include "a cyclist who rides a road bike or is fanatical about road biking" or "an alcoholic beverage for the ride, for consumption while one is driving" which bears no relevance at all in this context. Generally, a fandom itself is defined as "fans characterised by a feeling of empathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest" (Wikipedia).

RoadTrip had many vlogs that involved their fans, such as "Re-Enacting Fan Fictions!" where they ventured into the darkest realm of the fandom: reading fan works of themselves. Their video "Rang Songwriting Sessions From Fans' Lyrics" had them make up a song from the fans' comments. In "Pretending to Be a Fan Account" and "If We Were Fans of... Ourselves!" they've either interacted with the fanbase disguised as a Roadie or jokingly exaggerated of being fans of each other, possibly inspired by a few personal encounters they've had themselves. Back in 2017, they did the vlog, "Dare RoadTrip - Twitter Dares Vol. 1" where fans tweeted them things to do.

Quotes
"You know that I love that this band has helped create friendships and relationships that can last a long time. I think that's really important when you're growing up, to have like a network of people around that you love, and if we helped create that, then that is an honour, and that is why we are here."

- Andy Fowler

"No matter what happens in the band, you guys would have made this experience and these years of our lives the best of our lives."

- Andy Fowler

"I like their interactivity and how they're all one massive family, between them, and with us. So the amount of people I've seen make friends through the band is really heart-warming, and like you all have your own groupchats, and stuff like that. And then the amount you share with us, and the amount we talk back to you guys... we literally just... yeah, that, I like that, that's my favourite."

- Andy Fowler

"want to address something really quick for a start, those of you who followed roadtrip or myself for quite some time will know my opinions on anonymous websites i don’t believe they send the right message to young people, and advertise the ability to send anonymous messages to and about people, without reaping the repercussions it’s come to my attention that someone is pretending to be me on a popular anonymous messaging site i want to put it on record that i have never, nor will i ever use one of those websites, and if you are currently in contact with someone pretending to be me, or any of the boys, please be very careful with what you say to that person it’s a shame that imposters exist, but intern it is flattering! however for the safety of people i care about a lot, i really hope this person sees sense and stops impersonating me p.s i don’t have the hate in my heart, to send anonymously, nor to the people that are helping put me in a position where i can fulfil my dreams, would never say a bad word about any of you x"

- Andy Fowler

"Don't forget to love each other too! You all support the same people, so big each other up, compliment each other, stop tearing each other down when we all know there's more power in unity."

- Andy Fowler

"Going to get a bit soppy... "I’ve been performing since I was around 12 years old. I was nervous for my very first show, because I didn’t know what to expect. Someone who was performing with me said “don’t worry mate, your first show is always the worst, and you can always look back and compare to this one” "Three weeks today we will be playing one of the most prestigious venues in London, and although I’m still not nervous for it, I don’t think I’ve ever felt excitement quite like this, particularly when the show is still so far away... "I cannot wait to show you what we’ve been up to, how hard with worked, and all of the time and energy we’ve put into the show making it as amazing as we can for all of you. "I genuinely believe that moments like this make or break bands, and hand on heart, I believe this will be the making of us. This is something we work towards for years, and I think will be a stepping stone to even bigger things. "I believe that after the 1st of March 2020, that RoadTrip will be taking a little more seriously. We won’t be a cover band, no social media kids that sing, fully fledged musicians that have played at iconic venues in their own country. "So this is one of many opportunities I’m going to take to thank each and every person who has supported the band, even if it’s just for one minute of their life, and helped put us in the position where we are three weeks away from the biggest day of our lives."

- Andy Fowler

"Roadies are just like... you're the best thing that ever happened in my life."

- Rye Beaumont

"I love all you guys for giving us your energy, your time, your commitment. It's awesome, and one day the world is gonna see just how powerful this collective of people is. Right here, in my phone, right now, I can just feel your presence. All of you guys, you're just gonna dominate the planet."

- Rye Beaumont

"I'm not an emotional person, but that what you guys have done for us recently, not only on tour, and helping us be able to get this house, and be able to step up all of our content. [...] Like this is... now we are living the dream that we set out to do. This is what we want. We want to entertain you every single day, by one means or another, whether it's music, or just giving you a glimpse of our daily lives, or on tour. All that kind of stuff, to us, is like, it's what we're doing. It's what we live for. And the fact that you guys are showing all this support, is um, it's like beyond emotional. It makes us feel very lucky. And I don't like the word 'luck', 'cause I think luck has to be earned, and feel like us boys over the last few years, and all of the things we have done and been through together, from the massive ups to the very, very huge downs... we deserved it. And I'm proud of all of us. I'm proud of all of you at home, for not only sticking by us, but for getting us to this position now where we can look back and be like, wow. Like all the bad stuff that happened, and all the good stuff that happened, makes us really appreciate where we are right now. And this new kind of journey we're setting on, which is to not only daily vlog, which to us means to show you our lives, 'cause we wanna be that transparent band that show you everything we do. But also that the Roadie fandom is growing, and it's like we're seeing it become more and more international. [...] Yes, I do agree we have deserved it, and we have pushed ourselves to get to this place, but making videos, and writing music, and releasing songs, and touring is pointless if there's no one there to watch you. If there’s no one there to support you and cheer you on. So literally, and I put out a tweet and I said that everything we've accomplished, and everything you've helped us, well you made us do—is because if you. It's not because of us, because anyone could sing, and live in a house, and vlog everyday, but if no one watches you, it doesn't mean anything. So, I wanted to make that very clear to you guys that we are beyond appreciate everything you've done. [...] Whatever it is, it's amazing not only that you like that, but it's amazing that we can like stand in front of a camera, do whatever it is we do—don't really know what to call it, but that can have a positive impact on someone's life. Like that's incredible stuff. And we're like really happy that's something we've managed to achieve... We will be the band that did it themselves from the start, and it's all because of you guys, because if you weren't there helping us, it just wouldn't happen. We'd be... we would've finished as a band a few years ago like other bands have... from the bottom of my heart, and all the boys' hearts, and all of our families' hearts, that you're effecting everyday by watching our stuff, I wanted to say a hug massive thank you, and I love you, endlessly. And all the boys love you endlessly..."

- Rye Beaumont

"Saw this reply to a tweet & i thought id post to say you dont have to hide ur face youre beautiful that goes for all of you roadies❤️-brook"

- Brooklyn Wyatt

"You guys make me happy everyday, you're the reason for all of my happiness and it's hard to think what life would be without u guys❤️-brook"

- Brooklyn Wyatt

"Just seen some hate accounts made purposefully for some roadies, if you would kindly stop that would be great, bullying is not okay, it's not a game-brook"

- Brooklyn Wyatt

"I dont know why im so happy today, maybe its cos you guys hit me hard with all the support you've given us roadies are the most loyal famdom😋🙌❤-brook"

- Brooklyn Wyatt

"Its always an honour to be in the presence of a roadie, without you guys theres no shows, no music and no band so thank you for every littlw thing you guys do for us ❤-brook"

- Brooklyn Wyatt

"Genuinely love you guys! Youve made everything thats happening right now become reality and we will Never I repeat NEVER FORGET what your'e doing for us ❤"

- Brooklyn Wyatt

"Every step we take and everything we are doing is all down to you guys, you are a massive massive blessing, and im sorry i get all soppy but its so true you guys are making this happen❤❤🌍"

- Brooklyn Wyatt

"BEST FANDOM, BEST FAMILY, ROADIES ARE A BLLLLLLESSSSING❤-brook"

- Brooklyn Wyatt

"After some amazing years with RoadTrip, I feel it’s the right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to thank every single Roadie for showing such an overwhelming amount of support towards myself and the boys. You have all completely changed my life and know that I will forever cherish the memories I shared with each and every one of you ❤️"

- Mikey Cobban

"Guys, I'd just like to say the biggest, biggest possible thank you. You guys have been the most insanely supportive people in the world. Like I was, when I made the decision to leave, I was really worried. I was really―It was the idea of letting a lot of you guys down. [...] And for that reason, I am truly sorry if anyone is upset. But know that the decision that's been made, is the best possible decision. And I leave RoadTrip, and we're on the best possible terms as well."

- Mikey Cobban

"And let me tell you now, first and foremost, I will rival any single one of you as the biggest Roadie in the world. When those guys are selling out arenas, I'm gonna be there, in the front row, at every tour date I possibly can, and I'm gonna be loving every single second, and these guys are just the best."

- Mikey Cobban

"Just on behalf of myself and all the other boys, we wanna say a huge, huge thank you to you guys, for making everything possible, for allowing us to do what we do, and for giving us one of the best nights of our life."

- Sonny Robertson

"Hopefully in a few years or something, that y'know. This can all be forgotten about. Like personally in between us, because that side like, y'know the band did some proper cool things, I'd like to think we made quite a few people smile along the way. And help some people make friends and whatnot and like to just say on behalf of myself like thank you, for everything you've done for the band, and thank you for allowing us to live out some mental dreams that I'm pretty sure none of us ever thought we'd achieve. So, yeah. Thank you so much for that."

- Sonny Robertson

"it absolutely breaks me to see you guys upset, all of the highs were only possible because of you guys, the future remains bright. love you all. Harps x"

- Harper Dark

Trivia

 * Four Eyes and The Skyscraper's YouTube channel was formerly named 'Thank you Roadies'.