When you go to a concert, you expect to get blown away by the headlining band—usually, the one you pay to see. However, sometimes the opening act is so strong that you can’t help but look them up when you get home later, and wonder how you never heard of them in the first place. A lot of the popular acts today got their start by opening for bigger bands, and that cycle will likely continue for a while. So, here are 5 up-and-coming opening acts that recently went on tour that you should probably know.
1. Modern Baseball (supporting Brand New and the Front Bottoms)
Modern Baseball is a band from Philadelphia who crank out music that has been described as pop punk, indie rock, folk rock, and more. Their discography includes three albums from the last six years, and the band doesn’t seem to be slowing down. The lyrics are unique in that they’re relatable in a more… unusual way. Oftentimes, the band doesn’t worry about strict rhymes or a set structure of syllables. It’s refreshing and new, and pulls a listener in from the very start.
2. Us the Duo (supporting Pentatonix)
The name might not sound familiar, but you would probably know this couple if they popped up on your Facebook. Largely popular because of their covers on Vine that later grew viral on people’s Facebook feeds, this husband-and-wife duo are widely regarded as the first musical act to get signed to a major record label due to their presence on Vine. Their covers aren’t the only thing that got them signed: their harmonies are unparalleled and it’s very apparent that they love what they do.
3. Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness (supporting Weezer and Panic! At the Disco)
If you’ve heard “Cecilia and the Satellite,” you know exactly who this is. Andrew McMahon, the frontman, was originally part of two different bands, Something Corporate, and later, Jack’s Mannequin. However, in recent years, he’s been making a new name for himself with this new band. This is indie pop at its finest, and his first album as a part of this group showcases that. He recently opened for Weezer and Panic! At the Disco’s summer tour, and has been playing at festivals all across the nation for the past year or so. A new single, “Fire Escape” was released on September 8, 2016, and it was also announced that Andrew McMahon will be going on tour in the upcoming year.
4. As It Is (supporting Sum 41)
This British pop-punk band has been making their way across multiple countries the past few years. Hot off the heels of releasing two new singles for their upcoming January album, As It Is has been opening for Sum 41 the past few months, and making waves while doing so. In addition to this, they also earned a spot in the 2015 Vans Warped Tour, a huge gig that earned them a number of new fans. While their first album was described as reminiscent of Taking Back Sunday, the newer singles call to mind a sound that reminds me of All Time Low. I’m very excited to see what direction their new album takes them, and you should be too.
5. Bry (supporting Twenty One Pilots)
Bry is the name of an Irish singer-songwriter who is currently touring with Twenty One Pilots in Europe. The singer first made his impact on YouTube, uploading songs and covers as early as 2011 and amassing a decent-sized subscriber count (myself included). One of his goals in life is to travel and perform in every country, and he is well on his way with 62 countries under his belt in just a matter of a few years. Bry just released his debut album, self-titled Bry, on November 11, 2016. In it, he reworks some familiar songs from his YouTube channel and also premieres new, fresh tracks as well. I have been following Bry for a couple of years now and I am so thrilled with how well he’s doing. You should definitely give him a listen.
