the importance of opening acts : DIVORCE (the band)

I am one of those people who never leaves her house without headphones and whose idea of a "big purchase" is concert tickets. Music is a huge part of my life.

A huge part of the concert experience is the opening act, not just the headliner whose discography you already know. It’s a great way to open up your music tastes and get a whole other live show whilst already being excited for the act to follow.

DIVORCE is an indie / grunge band originally from Nottingham that has released two EP's and has an album Drive To Goldenhammer coming in March 2025.

After supporting Everything Everything on their Mountainhead Tour earlier this year, they launched their own headlining tour which started in late November.

a slideshow of my own photos from the concert

The band had incredible range from somber, slower songs which had the audience slowly swaying, to absolute headbangers with great dance ability. They created some breathtaking harmonies and in this they displayed a hugely impressive vocal range.

It was so warming to see a room full of people who paid specifically to see them instead of a half-filled venue because people couldn’t be bothered to see the opening act earlier in the year. It raises the question as to whether audiences place less musical value on the opening acts purely because they aren’t the headliner?

Some even go as far as to suggest that opening acts are becoming a thing of the past.

However, throughout musical history, we have seen how the chance to perform as an opening act can astronomically propel a musician's career. For example, Chappel Roan is blessing all of our ears recently and a portion of her success can be attributed to The GUTS TOUR by Olivia Rodrigo, helping Chappel exploded into the mainstream.

The music industry contributed £6.7billion to the UK economy in 2022, so opening acts deserve tremendous respect and love for being part of this.

Even without their role in our economy, your local opening artists will likely give an intimate and immersive concert experience.

DIVORCE’s show at The Joiner's Arms, a small venue in Southhampton gave each person in the room an amazing and up-close view.

At the end of the night, the merch table was being ran by Tiger herself which gave fans a chance to chat to her, ask a question and then go home and brag to their friends.

How many people can say that they have bought band merch from the artist themselves?

The closeness of the concert also meant that Tiger signed my setlist from the stage. I was giddy the whole way home.

We can’t allow opening acts to become a thing of the past. They are entertaining, important and grateful to be there. I had a great time at my local gig and I bet you would too.

Support your local venues, artists and businesses!