Your Happiest Accident
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Two of my most recent in-concert musical finds - the Neighborhood Bullys and Leslie & the Badgers - were originally seen at the behest of reliable friends with good ears. They were perfect examples of that whoa-I-can't-believe-how-great-they-are-and-I-had-never-heard-of-them-before thing.
We get a lot of that here at MOG. In fact, it's one of the best things about MOG: the discovery of mind-bogglingly wonderful, previously-unheard music, thanks to the posting efforts of our diligent site-mates. But what about the thrill of hearing an unknown-to-you, unexpectedly brilliant opening act just because you arrive early to a show by a renowned headliner?
It's happened to me more than a few times. Neo-folk-rocker Joseph Arthur and latter-day power-poppers OK Go were each support acts on shows with more highly-touted bands (who shall remain nameless since they paled in comparison to the openers and I don't wanna belittle them). Arthur and OK Go - nobodies to me beforehand - had such an impact on me that they instantly went into heavy-rotation on my personal playlist. (I've streamed the studio version of "Honey & the Moon," the Arthur song that really sold me on his greatness in concert, at the top of the post, and embedded a live-on-video version from a Shepards Bush Empire gig in London at the bottom. The song seduces me still.)
Ever enjoy an accidental discovery like that? Pretty cool, right? Wonder what the next one will be…
Locating MOG account...
Comments (15)
I suppose the best opening act I've ever seen (that wasn't already big stars ... us old fogies remember when three top-draw acts would play on a single bill) would be The Gossip.
We went to see Tori Amos at the Paramount in Oakland. It was a dissapointing concert, 'cept for the opener, a lone fellow named Yoav.
John Southworth opened for Colin Hay's solo show at Maxwell's in Hoboken NJ, and although he hasn't really caught on, I've been a serious fan ever since, especially of his Mars Pennsylvania CD... will do a proper post on him at some point here.
Cheers!
Van
I say accidents are a good thing, at least that is what I tell my little brother if you know what I mean
That happens to me all the time. I remember the OK Go tour (they opened for The Vines, who were not so impressive live), and they did put on a really great show.
Another impressive opener is Snowden, who opened for Forward Russia! in '06 and grabbed me immediately. They spring to mind because the crew saw them at the Monolith Festival last Sunday, and their bassist was all they could talk about afterward.
Then there was that band that opened for Kasabian that totally blew my mind. Maybe you recall my slight Mew Obsession? ;)
Masoo: This is one of those situations where Gossip is a good thing.
annieander: Hard to imagine that Tori would disappoint, especially at the fab Paramount. But now, you've got me intrigued about Yoav. Will investigate.
vannatta: Looking forward to more on this worthy Southworth.
Rawkkiddoh: As a big brother, I certainly do. ;-)
Dale: It's like an unexpected gift, sometimes at the expense of what you originally coveted. So Mew blew Kasabian away and blew your mind in the process? As a Kasabian fan and a Mew convert (you EMCD, you!), I'd have been torn and confused.
I recall seeing Indigo Girls opening for Hothouse Flowers in Portland, OR in the late '80s & falling in love. When these two unknown women walked out on stage, you could hear the crowd talking amongst themselves saying, 'who is this?' But once they started playing w/just their guitars & vocals it was like they had an entire band backing them up. The blew us all away & I became a rabid groupie, waiting for their debut album, going to the cd store & asking when it was coming out. The clerk at the store was like, who? And I explained I'd just seen them live & had to have their music, NOW! I met them a few times & saw them a bunch of times over the years.
August: That's what I'm talkin' about!
Hmm, although hardly unknown seeing James Brown open for the Chilis was a nice surprise. As for catching the Next Big Thing, I did see the Kills open for Franz Ferdinand back in '04
Jox: I'd call the James Brown sighting fortuitous, especially with his subsequent passing. It's not often that you're in the presence of a legend - and I don't mean the redoubtable Flea. J.B.-R.I.P. As for the Kills, that would sure-as-hell qualify, especially if you had no previous inkling of their, um, license to Kill (an audience).
Many good bands start out as opening acts.. I posted one last night, Brett Dennen, who opened for Xavier Rudd, he's in Rolling Stones Top 10 to watch this year... already headlining multiple tours this past year. Another is Missy Higgins, the number one selling artist in Australia right now, who opened up last summer for Mason Jennings. She's now doing her own tour with Joshua Radin opening. But truefully,it pays to go early, you neaver know what you might discover, as we have all stated here.. Good convo MOGGERs!
Indy: Gonna check out Brett on your recommendation. I already know that Missy ain't too shabby either...
I enjoyed this post. Great music.
Mike, Tori was extremely disappointing. You'll appreciate what happpened. The concert at the Paramount was on three consecutive nights. We saw her on Sat. and my best friend saw her on Sun. During both shows they were filming for her DVD. During the concert, in Oakland, she thanked the city of San Francisco and said it was a wonderful place for her concert. Come on...what a slap in the face. She's ashamed to have Oakland/East Bay be mentioned on the DVD. And it wasn't a mistake...my friend reported she did the same the next night. It just felt disingenious.
But Yoav...I bought his EP and so did my friend. That's how good we found him to be.
e.p.: happy to hear that. He's certainly got some talent - and I like that Lonely Astronauts band of his, too.
annie: Sounds lame of her. Alas, another idol tarnished.