The Headliner and Opening Acts

[Naga]

I was able to get out to Pittsburgh this weekend and got to see Dutch metal band Epica, as well as a small slew of other bands. That was quite an awesome show. Epica, of course, was definitely the crowd-pleaser of the group. That was quite a fun show, and while the other bands tore it up, Epica was there in full form

Coming from the fan point of view, it's not always the headliner that puts on the best shows. I can sit here, and recall seeing quite a few times where the headliner was outdone by the previous act, or even the opening act! It does happen on the local circuit, as well as on national and international, where the main band is clearly outdone by the "lesser acts", and sometimes, it allows me to find new bands that we otherwise would've never heard of. Such cases include seeing Dommin in the mix with HIM, Mindless Self Indulgence opening for Staind and KoRn (before Staind became a big-name band), and seeing Powerman 5000 AND Kid Rock (yes, I said Kid Rock, the guy actually does put on a show on stage) upstage KoRn. (Note: KoRn, as a band, doesn't have an incredibly huge stage presence). I know there are plenty of others, but I can't think of any off-hand

Stories please, share, and discuss!

[MistValkyrie]

I remember being in the audience for Naildriver's first show at Aldo's years ago (it was possibly their first show in general, Naildriver guys, can you help me with this?)
I can't remember who was the headliner, they were good and all ---I'm assuming that because that was probably the reason I was there--- but obviously what stuck in my head the most was Naildriver's set. And of course Naga was there at Aldo's...if you remember? It impressed me so much that I guess I can't even remember who else was playing that night..or possibly because I've been drinking and my brain's a little fuzzy atm. Whichever, all I can remember was thinking how incredibly impressed I was with how tight they were, their music, and especially how awesome their bassist is (or was, I don't know if he's still with the band).

[metalchurch]

Coming from the fan point of view, it's not always the headliner that puts on the best shows. I can sit here, and recall seeing quite a few times where the headliner was outdone by the previous act, or even the opening act!

I saw Judas Priest on their re-union tour with Slayer and the Original Black Sabbath (aka Ozz-fest '04 but I dont refer to it as such), anyway the crowd was rather boring and they seemed pre-occupied or what have you, but when Priest came on stage the whole fuckin place went crazy! It was the most surreal experience I've ever been a part of.
It was a great show because those are 3 of my fav bands, Sabbath/Ozzy being my #1, but no one that evening held a candle to Judas Priest (Sorry Ozzy...) Delivering the Goods indeed...

[ToonaRockGuy]

I may be dating myself, but the one that stuck out to me was seeing David Lee Roth in 1986 at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor. Dave was awesome, but the opening band was touring to support their first album, "Mechanical Resonance", and Tesla blew Roth off the stage, even with Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan in the band.

[whitedevilone]

Metallica making Ozzy look like a fool.Johnstown war memorial 1986.

[CMOR]

I'll preface this with a disclaimer: I have seen Limp Bizkit 3 times, but never wanted to.

Anyway...

We went to the Chameleon Club for a LB show with intention of seeing the opening band and then maybe leaving. Who was the band?
Clutch
This was definitely not the 1st time we had seen them. They probably almost knew our names by then.
We were certainly surprised by the opening opening band...Sevendust. This was shortly after they changed their name and obviously still making a name for themselves. We didn't even know they were supposed to play.

How many years later and who's still making great music?

[UNEARTHA7XMatt]

Chimaira and Killswitch Engage blowing Disturbed off the stage at The Bryce Jordan Center! Disturbed didnt even need to take the stage! They blew dick that day!

[Naga]

I can't remember right now, Sue, but if I figure it out, I'll let you know. And yeah... NailDriver is amongst the local bands still playing, and one of the many that are still out there kicking ass and not caring about the names, and can outdo quite a bunch! (Who made the line "kicking ass and taking names" anyway?)

[robinhood]

Quiet Riot vs Skid Row Clearfield County fair (no clue on the year haha like early 2000, not sure)

I went to the Clearfield County Fair the one year, and was very excited as I loved both of these bands. Quiet Riot was opening up and oh my lord they were amazing, they were crowd pleasing, rocked the hell out of their set and didn't really use any stage props/backdrop and what not they were just there and rocked out. Skid Row on the other hand has this epic backdrop and what not, they came out and totally sucked. First off I think they forgot where they were, or thought we didn't know where we were, because about every other song, they were like how's Clearfield PA today over and over and over........it was annoying and they lacked stage presence and I left halfway through because I was just bored. Goes to show, its not about the glitz and glam and "cool" stuff on stage lol.

[Colton]

Maybe the openers try harder...

[Naga]

In some cases, yeah. I've seen a couple bands that feel like "Ok, we've made it, who cares". It's the bands that make it and realize that, in a more-or-less fashion, they may make their music the way they want (or at least I'd hope so, or else they're not doing themselves, or their fans justice), but they're still only there because of the fans. And interestingly enough, I do get an occasional reminder myself of that

[songsmith]

1988. Hurricane, featuring now-Foreigner-frontman Kelly Hansen, absolutely demolished the headliner, Stryper... and I liked Stryper alot at the time. Really, they made me take a good look at the yellow and black stuff and poufy hairdo's, and I immediately quit doing the spandex thing. Look 'em up, they were excellent musicians.

Kix opened Aerosmith at City Island, and murdalized 'em, though admittedly, it was when Joe Perry was out and Stephen Tyler was barely coherent. I saw Aerosmith 3 more times after that, and they ruled.

In bluegrass, the early bands on the day's schedule often whoop up on the headliner, but that's not really fair. The jam sessions at campsites are very often worlds better than the pre-planned stuff that happens onstage. It's apples and oranges.

[DirtySanchez]

I learned to LISTEN to every band. Every band out there worth a shit started by opening shows for someone else.