Most people forget that most of their favorite artists didn’t start as headliners, but they started out as openers. Because of that, I believe openers deserve a lot more respect than they usually get at shows.
Artists like Sabrina Carpenter, One Direction, Chappell Roan and Rihanna all had moments where they were the first ones on stage, performing for crowds that didn’t necessarily come to see them. At that point in their careers, they had to prove themselves to people who might not have even known their names. That takes confidence, effort and a lot of passion for what they do.
When I go to concerts or watch videos of them, I notice how often people ignore the openers. A lot of the time, people are talking loudly, scrolling on their phones or sometimes even posting online asking, “Why are they even the opener?” But openers like Sabrina Carpenter and Zara Larsson are proof that starting as an opener can open doors for artists who might not have had access otherwise. Being on stage is a huge opportunity, but it’s also vulnerable, especially when performing your own original music and singing personal lyrics.
You don’t need to know every song an opener plays. The least you can do is clap after each song, vibe with the performance and give a little energy back to the stage. That small bit of support can mean a lot to someone putting themselves out there for the first time in front of a crowd.
If someone is brave enough to go on stage and perform in front of a crowd, they deserve basic respect. Even if they are not your favorite artist they are still putting in effort and sharing something they care about.
Plus in most cases the main act usually chooses the opener. That means the headliner believes in them and wants their fans to experience their music. So when people disrespect the opener they are also in a way disrespecting the main artist.
Openers also serve an important purpose at concerts. They help set the mood and get the crowd excited for the main performance. Without them, the energy of the show could feel off in the beginning. A good opener can warm up the audience and make the overall experience better for everyone.
People underestimate how often openers become successful later on. Many artists who are huge today were once in that exact position, trying to win over a crowd that wasn’t paying attention. You never know if the person performing as an opener might become your next favorite artist. If you ignore them, you could be missing out on discovering new music.
I believe openers deserve much more respect than they usually get. Everyone starts somewhere, and being an opener is an important step in an artist’s journey. Instead of ignoring them, people should try to listen, be supportive and appreciate the effort they’re putting into their performance. The artist you overlook today could easily be the one everyone is excited to see tomorrow.
