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