New Wave Outpost Forum

How often have you seen a concert after which you thought the warm up/opening band put on a better show than the main attraction?

Many, many years ago, I went to see I went to see REM. For some reason, The Smithereens opened that night instead of whichever band was supposed to open, I don't remember. But I digress...

REM was solid, but the Smithereens started off the show with an energy that just wasn't matched by REM. As hard as it is to believe, with that lineup that night, the show ended on a down note.

Another show I saw either the same year or the next year, was Hoodoo Gurus opening for INXS. Hoodoo Gurus were so tight and so good that night. Then INXS came on stage and were flat. It was as if they had had a bit too much to drink back stage and it really affected their show. It was so bad that my friends and I decided leave about 1/2 through the show and I had no regrets about doing that.

Anyone else have similar experiences?

[i]New Wave or nothing![/i]

When my younger brother was 15 he asked me to drive him to see the Police in Birmingham, Alabama. The Police were boring. However, a cool band by the name of Kissing the Pink opened. They blew me away.

The KTP album Naked sold very well in B'ham after that. It was always prominently displayed in record shops.

OTH, I saw Oingo Boing in B'ham one time. A completely unknown band named REM opened. REM was booed heavily and made fun of. I never liked them, but you know the rest...

-~Obscene dreams in rusty beds.~-

Last spring - The Plimsouls opening for The English Beat at Anaheim HOB. I only need to do the Beat about once every 10 years - fun enough band. The Plimsouls I could see every day for the next 10 years.

The Motels opening for The Cars, during the Panorama tour. During their part of the show, The Cars basically just stood there, while playing. It eventually became boring to watch, although the music was good.