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The Opening Band Ballet
Support bands. Opening acts. Special Guests. Whatever you want to call them, they have the responsibility of “warming up the crowd” before the headliners hit the stage. Sometimes this can be a daunting task, possibly even dangerous if the opening band doesn’t find a way to win over an anxious, impatient, often alcohol infused audience.
Today’s concert climate has brought forth the “package” tour trend where two or more Headliners go on the road together, often to ensure that butts get into the seats and the tour is a success. Back in the 80’s, before the ticket prices escalated out of control most concerts were comprised of the headliner and a single opening band.
Sometimes the opening band makes no sense on the same bill, yet that can prove interesting. Other times they fit like a glove and make for a perfect evening of live rock and roll. Every once in a while, however, you get to see an opening band that is so hungry, so in the zone that they blow the doors off the building and either push the headliner to step up or they leave them in the dust.
I have been lucky over the years to have seen many concerts and have gotten to witness many great opening bands. Three concerts come to mind when I think of these great opening acts. Three concerts that I feel I had gotten my money’s worth before the headliner even took the stage. Three concerts that the opening band literally blew me away.
In no particular order….
Opening bands can turn a good show into a great show and sometimes they give the crowd even more than they bargained for. On the flip side they can also provide more time to go grab a beer because they stink (Rush / Voivod).
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