| It's the dream of many a musician to open up for | | | | care less about unknown openers and will arrive right |
| either: their favorite band or the favorite band of | | | | before the headliners set. Sometimes, they sit in at |
| their childhood. For many, the ultimate in true rock | | | | the bar in another room praising their favorite band |
| star status is to share a stage with the musicians | | | | while the openers play to their friends and the wall. |
| who made you want to play music in the first | | | | Worst case, many of them will rush the stage yelling, |
| place...to see you name in lights (or printed on a flyer, | | | | "Pearl Jam! We want Pearl Jam" while you do your |
| as the case may be) with the guys (or gals) whose | | | | best to win them over musically. This is why it's |
| music you listen to almost as much as (if not more | | | | important to only open for signed acts that fit in the |
| than) your own. | | | | style of your music. If you loved Pearl Jam in high |
| But is it really a good idea, as an unsigned artist, to | | | | school but your band sounds like John Mayer, you |
| open up for an act already known to the general | | | | might want to think twice before deciding that their |
| public? Will you get anywhere near the recognition | | | | fans are automatically going to dig your tunes. |
| opening up for Pearl Jam in a large venue that you | | | | 3.) Find Out All Of The Details Before Committing To |
| would at a local club playing with other unsigned | | | | A Signed Act Show---It's fairly easy to book a local |
| bands? Will you fans dig your music as hard as ever | | | | show: two to five unsigned acts, 20-45 minute sets, |
| or will they forget all about you in a mad frenzy to | | | | all ages to 21 and up, $0 to $10 cover, sound check |
| have Eddie Vedder sign their backs? | | | | or line check, maybe free parking, possibly some free |
| It's a double-edged sword that many artists forget | | | | drinks, sometimes backline gear, occasionally free |
| to think over carefully before rushing starry-eyed into | | | | food, and pray for a decent sound man. It's all pretty |
| the excitement of being the opening act for: (Insert | | | | much cut and dried and if your band has been around |
| Name Of Famous Rock Star Here). In many cases, | | | | awhile, you can confirm gigs in your sleep. Signed |
| venues and promoters still expect your crowd to | | | | headlining acts are a whole different animal and |
| turn out and drink it up at shows, even though the | | | | promising your crowd to a venue two hours away, |
| headliner will draw a big crowd of their own. Many of | | | | with a $40 cover charge where your band is playing |
| these shows are an hour plus away from your local | | | | a 15 minute set with your gear scrunched up on the |
| area and tickets can be upwards of $100. Is that | | | | front of the stage so that the headliner's gear can |
| something you can expect your friends will be up | | | | remain set up might not be as easy as you think. |
| for? | | | | Your fans are used to seeing you rock the house, |
| And then there's the issue of press. Do you dare ask | | | | down the street from their homes, where you play |
| a reviewer to come out and cover your show and | | | | long, get an encore and the house buys everyone a |
| expect that a large portion of your article won't be | | | | shot! Unless they're dying to see Pearl Jam, they |
| about how "Pearl Jam rocks!" You score local radio | | | | might not be u!p for all of extra energy it takes to |
| play only to have the DJ announce the show and | | | | see you open up for a famous act. |
| play, "Alive." Sometimes opening up for a signed act | | | | 4.) You May Not Be Signed But You Can Act Like |
| can make an unsigned artist feel even more invisible | | | | You Are---If you decide to take a gig opening up for |
| than usual. | | | | a signed band and you want to impress them, their |
| The following are a few tips that may help you to | | | | crew, their reps, and the club's management, then |
| weigh the pros and cons of grabbing a spot as the | | | | make sure you're act as professional as your |
| opening act for a famous band: | | | | headliner. Get there early, have your gear organized, |
| 1.) Would You Take The Show If You Weren't | | | | make sure everything is working perfectly, load in at |
| Playing With Pearl Jam?---Many artists think that | | | | the speed of light, have your set list ready, be |
| playing with a famous act is so important that they | | | | courteous to the sound guy (gal), keep your set on |
| don't even bother to check out anything else about | | | | time, and load off at the speed of light. Most |
| the gig. Many assume that rock stars always | | | | importantly, have your merchandise in order and |
| command rock star stages, but this is often not the | | | | professionally displayed at the club/arena: CDs, DVDs, |
| case. Many acts, especially classic rock/retro acts on | | | | t-shirts, bumper stickers, hats, condoms, thongs...you |
| revival tours, are looking to get out and play | | | | name it. You know you're unsigned but the headliners' |
| anywhere that will put them up the right kind of | | | | fans don't, so why advertise it? Put on a fantastic |
| front money. Often times this means that the | | | | show and maybe you'll sell some CDs, etc. and make |
| venues are in more remote areas either looking to | | | | some extra cash. |
| get on the musical map or using a well-known act to | | | | There's one more thing to consider here: fulfilling a |
| entice people to drive in from far away. Sometimes, | | | | dream. If it's your dream to open up for an act you |
| the clubs are older rooms looking to get their groove | | | | love, then throw caution to the wind and do it just |
| back or new places that haven't yet acquired a | | | | for the dream. If you lose money, hate the club, get |
| regular crowd. Before booking anything, drive out and | | | | booed by over-zealous fans...who cares? For that one |
| check out the venue on a few different nights and | | | | set, you shared the stage with the band that put the |
| make sure that you like the room, the stage, the | | | | dream in your heart to get up on a stage in the first |
| regulars, the area, etc. and ask yourselves if this is a | | | | place. Plus, it's great bragging rights for your band. |
| venue that would play if it was!n't for the draw of | | | | You can throw it up on your website and talk about |
| the signed headliner. Since many of these shows can | | | | it to your grandchildren. If you don't mind the extra |
| cost unsigned acts anywhere from $200-$2000 in | | | | effort, commitment and sometimes hassle, then go |
| ticket guarantees, you want to make sure that your | | | | for it! Who knows? Maybe they'll pick you up as the |
| getting your money's worth musically. | | | | opener on their tour? Maybe their label will see you |
| 2.) Would Pearl Jam's Fans Listen To You If They | | | | and sign you? Maybe Rolling Stone will come out to |
| Caught You In Your Local Bar?---For a lot of | | | | review them and mention your name? If you're doing |
| upcoming acts, the lure of playing in front of a crowd | | | | it to fulfill the dream, then everything else is a bonus. |
| of adoring fans is a huge plus. But, you need to make | | | | Just remember to get all of the details, and stay |
| sure to remember that just because people are | | | | smart when undertaking a huge gig. Now, get up on |
| coming to a club doesn't mean they plan to listen to | | | | that stage and wow that big crowd,!you rock stars! |
| you. Sadly, often the followers of signed acts could | | | | |