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The best opening act you've ever seen & heard?

 

I have two:

 

In 1983 I went to see The Plimsouls (Peter Case’s pre-solo career band) at The Garage, a tiny little "club" on Ventura Blvd. The room had filled up (elbow-to-elbow tight), and the opening act started their set. My woman and I both looked at each other, our mouths agape. It was Los Lobos, and they were great! Their debut album How Will The Wolf Survive? had yet to be released, but I sure picked it up when it was.

 

I went to see John Hiatt at The Roxy Theater on Sunset Blvd. during his Perfectly Good Guitar tour, entering the room just as the opening act was starting her final song. The ads for the show listed her name, which was unfamiliar to me. As the song started and progressed, I was stunned; the song she and her band were performing was a great one, and I knew I had missed a quality set of music. It was Sheryl Crow, whose debut album had not yet been released. Damn it!

 

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pdspiegel
26 posts
 

Dwight Yoakam and band opening for Nick Lowe at the Palace in Hollywood c. 1983.

tubes4good
34 posts
 

The concert was Queen at the Kennedy Center, February 24th, 1975. The opening acts, Kansas (probably their maiden tour) and frank Marino & Mahogany Rush. We had never heard of Kansas. They were awesome. I remember the drummer and the violinist were magnificent. Then Frank Marino came on and KILLED it. Croud screamed so much that he did an encore; Jimi's version of America the Beautiful. After that, Queen was just alright. 

bassbuyer
261 posts
 

Thanks for sharing the ticket prices of some of the shows.  I could afford going to concerts back in the day working part time at a grocery store.  Now the tickets cost more than a week’s groceries for the family.  My kids want to see Post Malone but it’s a football stadium and the nose bleed seats are more than they can afford.  I’m sure he’ll have a good opening act.  

sdberman's avatar
sdberman
20 posts
 

Jeffrey Gaines opening for Melissa Etheridge at the Tower Theater outside of Philly.  Super impressive, passionate, solo acoustic performance.  

wharfy's avatar
wharfy
361 posts
 

Josh Ritter and his band opening for Jason Isbell and his band, at the Count Basie Center in Red Bank, NJ, in 2016. I did not know who Ritter was and made an effort to familiarize myself with his songs beforehand. Thinking he was just "ok," I was blown away by his show. Jason Isbell joined him towards the end of his set and they performed a John Prine song together. I’ve seen Ritter, both with his band, and solo multiple times since.

 

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