Is Road to Headliner really free?

Yes, 100% free with no ads or pay-to-win mechanics. All players compete on equal footing. We believe the best game is one where skill and strategy determine success, not your wallet.

How long is a season?

Each season lasts 12 real-world weeks. After a season ends, there's a brief offseason period, then you start fresh with a new band while keeping your awards, prestige, and account history.

Can I play on mobile?

Road to Headliner is designed primarily for PC/desktop browsers. The interface works reasonably on tablets, but the complex management screens are best experienced on a larger screen. A dedicated mobile experience may come in the future.

Yes! You share the game world with other players in real-time. Compete on leaderboards, enter festival brackets, collaborate on features, and declare rivalries with other bands.

What is MT (Management Time)?

MT is your action currency — think of it as your manager's energy. It regenerates 1 per hour up to a maximum of 48. Every action like booking shows, rehearsing, or recording costs MT, so planning your time wisely is key to success.

Game Updates

Season 1 Launch: What's New and What to Expect

Feb 15, 20265 min read

Road to Headliner Season 1 is officially live. Here's everything you need to know about what's available, how the economy works, and what's coming next.

Road to Headliner Season 1 is officially live, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome you to the world of band management.

What is Road to Headliner?

Road to Headliner is a free-to-play online band management MMO where you take on the role of a music manager. Your mission: guide your band from humble garage rehearsals to headlining the world's biggest festivals. Every decision matters - from who you recruit to what songs you record, where you tour, and how you market your music.

Season 1 Features

Here's what's available right now:

•Band Creation - Choose your genre, name your band, and set your home city from 56 real-world locations across 12 regions
•Musician Recruitment - Browse the talent pool, negotiate contracts, and build your dream lineup. Each musician has unique stats, traits, and personality
•Music Production - Develop ideas in rehearsal, record demos, polish them in the studio, and release tracks to the charts
•Live Shows - Book venues in cities around the world, build your fanbase, and earn revenue from ticket sales
•Touring - Plan multi-city tours with realistic transport options (van, bus, train, flight) and distance-based costs
•Staff Management - Hire producers, sound engineers, tour managers, PR managers, and more to boost your band's performance
•Marketing & Merchandise - Create merch lines, launch marketing campaigns, and attract sponsors
•Seasonal Competition - Compete against other players on the leaderboard. Earn prestige and awards at the end of each 12-week season

The Economy

Every band starts with $15,000 in cash. Revenue comes from shows, merch sales, streaming royalties, and sponsorship deals. Spend wisely - going bankrupt means making tough choices about which musicians to let go.

Management Time (MT)

MT is your most important resource. It regenerates at 1 per hour (max 48) and every action costs MT. The strategic depth comes from deciding how to spend your limited time: do you rehearse, record, book a show, or invest in marketing?

What's Coming Next

We have a packed roadmap for Season 1 updates:
- Festival brackets where the top bands compete head-to-head
- Collaboration features between bands
- Advanced analytics dashboard with revenue breakdowns
- Mobile-responsive improvements
- More cities and venues

Start playing today - it's 100% free with no ads, no pay-to-win, and no credit card required. Your journey from garage band to headliner begins now.

#update

Season 1 Launch: What's New and What to Expect

Read Article

Festivals Are Here: The New Seasonal Circuit