"If you have the time and energy after the gig, that might be a good time to go off for a pint and some songs with the locals for a post-gig party."

Now that's another question!! it's exactly the "let's party" way of life that did for a couple of fine pros I knew and counted as my friends. In Britain the distance between gigs and home for me is hardly ever more than 200 miles so it's guitar in the boot (trunk)and head off home for me. I definitely think this approach has cost me work as the most hardworking couple of pros in the business in the UK travel everywhere by train and stay over, thereby establishing a network of friends who book them (they're also bloody good too!!). Very sensible if you can handle all that sociability and eschew the drink.