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"Dumbing Down" Set so Headliner Sounds Better
- Thread starter unbridled
- Start date
Many years ago I went to see the band Badfinger (yeah I'm old) and the opening act was some guy named Billy Joel. I'll let you guess who rocked the house (it wasn't Badfinger).
A: your fans deserve better than that.
B: making sure you aren't as great as the headliner sounds like a good idea for any band who wants to ensure they are never a headliner.
B: making sure you aren't as great as the headliner sounds like a good idea for any band who wants to ensure they are never a headliner.
Well, maybe this is me, but I'm not able to lower my standards for somebody else. So if I was determined to make the headliner sound better the only solution would be to have a few drinks before the gig. Needless to say that this won't happen, because I wouldn't do that to the audience and, more importantly, the drummer.
- Oct 18, 2012
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If the headliner isn't as good as your band, that's their problem. Don't make it yours. You should always strive to do your best no matter the situation. I've always said bands don't do the audience a favor by showing up and playing, the audience does the band (or bands) a favor by showing up and listening. Every audience deserves the best effort possible whether they get in for free or pay $100 per ticket. You never know who will be in the audience. There could be a promoter, a booking agent, manager of another venue who may be looking for bands. Do your best. If you're worried about being better than the headliner and do less than your best, not only is it unprofessional but you will never become a headliner.
As long as you don’t play some of the headliner’s songs or go over the allotted time, I think you’re good to go.
Do your job and do it to the best of your ability, always, all the time. It’s your duty and it’s why you do what you do - you don’t want people remembering you for the bland show you put on. You want them remembering you for rocking their asses off. Only that.
What if every band did that for every band?
We'd have every band playing less than the best effort.
An infinite regression.
Down to less than the minimum.
We'd have every band playing less than the best effort.
An infinite regression.
Down to less than the minimum.
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We tend to think of shows with multiple bands as one show. In reality, they are multiple shows with one band performed successively. While there may be comparisons, ultimately it comes down to each band performing their best. If you do great or you dummy up your set it really only reflects on you because the headliner will be judged on their own merits. The only way you can effect them is to perform badly enough that people leave.
no. just no.
i do my best to try blow the other bands off the stage no matter if i open or am top on the bill. it either makes the other bands step up their game and makes for a better show over all or makes them realize they shouldnt be on the stage. their choice
i do my best to try blow the other bands off the stage no matter if i open or am top on the bill. it either makes the other bands step up their game and makes for a better show over all or makes them realize they shouldnt be on the stage. their choice
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Play your best!
Who's better is a matter of opinion. I mean that I saw Kool and the Gang open for Def Leopard! Talk about a strange mix of acts. Each band has its own Merritts and weaknesses. Also just recently Lee Arron opened for Helix (Canadina content) now back in the day Lee was way bigger than Helix. I doubt she dumbed down her set to make Helix sound good. They just gave the best show they could to give their audiences their monies worth. Any less would be criminal.
If you dumb down your set for the headliner, then the headliner is the better band! Don't be cocky my friend and get out there and play your ass off
Who's better is a matter of opinion. I mean that I saw Kool and the Gang open for Def Leopard! Talk about a strange mix of acts. Each band has its own Merritts and weaknesses. Also just recently Lee Arron opened for Helix (Canadina content) now back in the day Lee was way bigger than Helix. I doubt she dumbed down her set to make Helix sound good. They just gave the best show they could to give their audiences their monies worth. Any less would be criminal.
If you dumb down your set for the headliner, then the headliner is the better band! Don't be cocky my friend and get out there and play your ass off
Screw that on stage it’s every band for themselves. It’s business nothing personal. I go out each time I play with the stated intention of blowing everyone else out. Friends or not. We can be cool after the show. You practice and work hard why would you dumb down the set.
I do not wish to appear snobbish, but.... If you don't give me 100% best on each and every song, each and every show, then I will be looking for a replacement. It doesn't matter if you LOVE the song, HATE the song, or are strictly indifferent - give it your best.
Besides, the only person you mentioned saying that your show is better than his show is your own band member. He might be biased....
Besides, the only person you mentioned saying that your show is better than his show is your own band member. He might be biased....
