Big names are back, but touring might not be pretty This year’s season will see a return of national acts, something that was lacking in its 13th season, due to the start of the pandemic, which limited the arts venue to only recruiting local and regional artists. Mark Fields, executive director for The Grand in Wilmington, said touring this year might be messy for performers, because the pandemic presents a host of logistical issues. “Routing,” for example, is an industry term used to describe the way national performers tour from city to city. The goal is for artists to create a tour schedule that allows them to play about five to six shows a week.