From Horrendous To Magnificent: The Dichotomy Of Opening Acts

Not all opening acts are created equal, but somehow the worst have the same power as the best to enhance a night of live music.

Photo provided by Cat Clyde

Everyone who’s come from the world of dance music is familiar with what’s called EDM Twitter, and one of the many things the toxic cesspit that is EDM Twitter has never agreed on is what makes a good opening act.

Since it’s EDM Twitter, this commentary hones to DJs, with the discourse alternating between DJs who consciously play a more mellow and controlled set to warm up the crowd for the headliner to bang it out, and DJs who are cool with just banging it out as soon as the doors open.

The reason this debate is never-ending is because the nature of the debate itself is way off. After 15 years and (must be close to) 1,000 gigs in numerous countries all around the world, I’ve concluded that the proper way to measure opening acts is by placing them on a scale between two specific goalposts (yes I just asserted that I am smarter than the entirety of EDM Twitter).

It’s simple enough. On one end, the opener is awful. On the other end, they’re really great. Both prepare attendees for the headliner in their own way.

There are certainly plenty in the middle who do their job as the description intends, warming up the crowd for what’s to come, succumbing to lower volume in rooms that are either empty or half empty. Bravo to them for understanding the assignment, they’re just not as fun to write about as the two extremes.

What’s interesting is in the last few months alone, I’ve experienced standout versions of the two extremes, and in hindsight, it’s actually insane how much an opening act affects the flow of the night.

Sure some people only show up for the headliner, but that is such a missed opportunity. The ticket grants permission to see numerous artists. Not just one (unless you’re seeing Phish, or Fleetwood Mac, or Beyonce).

Openers might not be the reason you bought a ticket or asked for guestlist, but chances are these openers are so fucking stoked to be on the bill. I started out my career in journalism interviewing opening acts, and their excitement to be featured is something I carry with me to this day through my Artist’s Brain series. 

Their effect on the night is indelible, and it always falls between these two goal posts: