The opening act can be just like the appetizer the crowd didn’t order. There’s the potential to be a surprise that leaves the crowd wanting more, or the audience may just be wondering when the main course will arrive. But, for the artist, it’s an opportunity even if only for 30 minutes. It’s a challenge – you’re not the reason the crowd showed up, but you’re the one tasked with warming up the crowd and convincing them you’re worth their time before the main act steals the spotlight. No pressure, right?
I have been lucky enough to be introduced to some of my favorite artists through an opening act. Del Water Gap when he opened for Maggie Rogers, Joy Oladokun when she opened for Noah Kahan, and Carol Ades when she opened for Lizzy McAlpine. Each of these times, I have fallen in love with the opener, who I hadn’t heard of before. A common thread between these various opening acts is the artist’s excitement for the opening act they have selected. Noah Kahan came out to perform “Someone Like You,” a song on Kahan’s “I Was / I Am” album featuring Oladokun, during her opening set, and Maggie Rogers brought out Del Water Gap, a long time friend of hers, to perform their song “New Song” together. Each of these artists have taken the time to select an opening act that they not only believe in but also want to share their platform with and introduce to their own audiences. As a fan, the opening act can be an opportunity to connect more deeply with the headliner’s world. It is a chance to learn new music that has been personally selected and appreciated by the headliner.
Being an opener is not for the faint of heart. You might be playing to a half-empty venue as people trickle in, their focus split between your songs and finding the bar. Opening acts have the chance to transform a skeptical audience into superfans. Just think of the legends who got their start as openers—Taylor Swift opened for Rascal Flatts, Chappell Roan opened for Olivia Rodrigo, and we all know how those stories turned out.
The beauty of the opening act is in its unpredictability. You’re the underdog. And while the audience might not realize it yet, you’re auditioning for their playlists and their future concert tickets. You might not be the headliner, but for those 30 minutes, you’ve got a chance to be unforgettable. So, the next time you’re at a show, give the opening act a shot. You might just witness the beginning of something spectacular—or at the very least, you’ll get to say, “I saw them when.”