Gigs / Concerts where the support band was better than the main band

Joey90 · 09-09-2016, 04:50 AM

New to this forum so thought I would start with a question. Have you guys ever been to a gig/concert where the support band were better than the main band?

Who were they?

Did you know the support band previously or were they a nice surprise? Or even, did you go to the gig especially for the support band?

Here are mine;

I've seen Streetlight Manifesto supporting Reel Big Fish. Had heard of Streetlight before the gig and they were incredible, RBF were good but could not compete. Also third on the bill was Sonic Boom Six (another great band).

Saw Arctic Monkeys supported Maximo Park at an NME gig back in 2006, I went especially for Arctic Monkeys and was not disappointed (I think I left halfway though Maximo Parks set as well (not my sort of band)).

Honeyblood supported Superfood (I hadn't heard of Superfood before the gig and haven't listened to them since). Honeyblood were great. They are a good Glaswegian 2 piece alternative girl band, check them out if you can.

And lastly I saw a band called Freak support Fidlar back in July. There were not as good as Fidlar but were one of the best supports that I had not heard of before a gig in a long time so had to mention it! (if you want to check out freak google freakalt... googling just freak isn't very helpful!)

Peace,
Joe

Inna Selez · 09-09-2016, 12:17 PM

I had same situation once. Don`t remember names of the band and artist but it was concert of some pop singer. First supporting group was not bad. After performed a girl with good voice and she communicated with crowd. She made her job. After was epic fail - main "star" was so drunk or high, so even some of his fans leaved the club.

**Exo** · 09-09-2016, 01:53 PM

Nathaniel Ratelieff opening for Portugal The Man, Temper Trap, and two others bands I can't recall.

Drjohnrock · 02-25-2024, 07:31 PM

1989 - Pixies supporting Love and Rockets. Pixies blew then off the stage.

A few years ago - Saw Qui, a duo based in California, open for Sebadoh. Sebadoh were fine but Qui were better. If both bands were playing headlining shows in my town on the same night, I would see Qui.

2021 - Saw another duo (seems to be a theme here) from Nashville called VOLK rock the house opening for The Electric Six. VOLK was better.

mateorosi · 02-27-2024, 03:38 AM

Yeah, man, totally been there. Streetlight Manifesto at Reel Big Fish gig, Arctic Monkeys at Maximo Park, Honeyblood with Superfood. Killer performances.

09-09-2016, 04:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Joey90 Groupie Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: UK Posts: 9	Gigs / Concerts where the support band was better than the main band New to this forum so thought I would start with a question. Have you guys ever been to a gig/concert where the support band were better than the main band? Who were they? Did you know the support band previously or were they a nice surprise? Or even, did you go to the gig especially for the support band? Here are mine; I've seen Streetlight Manifesto supporting Reel Big Fish. Had heard of Streetlight before the gig and they were incredible, RBF were good but could not compete. Also third on the bill was Sonic Boom Six (another great band). Saw Arctic Monkeys supported Maximo Park at an NME gig back in 2006, I went especially for Arctic Monkeys and was not disappointed (I think I left halfway though Maximo Parks set as well (not my sort of band)). Honeyblood supported Superfood (I hadn't heard of Superfood before the gig and haven't listened to them since). Honeyblood were great. They are a good Glaswegian 2 piece alternative girl band, check them out if you can. And lastly I saw a band called Freak support Fidlar back in July. There were not as good as Fidlar but were one of the best supports that I had not heard of before a gig in a long time so had to mention it! (if you want to check out freak google freakalt... googling just freak isn't very helpful!) Peace, Joe

09-09-2016, 01:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Exo All day jazz and biscuits Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,354	Nathaniel Ratelieff opening for Portugal The Man, Temper Trap, and two others bands I can't recall. __________________ LastFM SUPREME POO BAH MODERATOR EXTRAORDINAIRE

09-09-2016, 12:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Inna Selez Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 728	I had same situation once. Don`t remember names of the band and artist but it was concert of some pop singer. First supporting group was not bad. After performed a girl with good voice and she communicated with crowd. She made her job. After was epic fail - main "star" was so drunk or high, so even some of his fans leaved the club.

02-25-2024, 07:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Drjohnrock Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 316	1989 - Pixies supporting Love and Rockets. Pixies blew then off the stage. A few years ago - Saw Qui, a duo based in California, open for Sebadoh. Sebadoh were fine but Qui were better. If both bands were playing headlining shows in my town on the same night, I would see Qui. 2021 - Saw another duo (seems to be a theme here) from Nashville called VOLK rock the house opening for The Electric Six. VOLK was better.

02-27-2024, 03:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
mateorosi Groupie Join Date: Feb 2024 Posts: 15	Yeah, man, totally been there. Streetlight Manifesto at Reel Big Fish gig, Arctic Monkeys at Maximo Park, Honeyblood with Superfood. Killer performances.