As I recollect last night’s concert and the opening act, Mates of State, I started thinking that opening acts at concerts would make a good top-5 post. So, without further ado, here it goes. My top-5 favorite opening acts of concerts I’ve attended and the artist for whom they opened the show.

1. Paul Simon for Bob Dylan (Arco Arena, 1999). Okay, so technically both Dylan and Simon shared top-billing on the tour, but Simon came on stage first at this show. That counts as opening up for the other artist—Dylan would open other shows on the tour. Simon gave a wonderful performance only to be overshadowed by Dylan later. The two came out between their sets and sang three duets: “Sound of Silence,” “Knocking on Heaven’s Door,” and “I Walk the Line/Blue Moon Of Kentucky.” Amazing.


2. McCoy Tyner and The Dave Brubeck Quartet for Ramsey Lewis (Hollywood Bowl, 2004). Another example of cheating since all three shared the bill as the “Piano Masters.” I was excited to see Brubeck who delivered and then some. Tyner, whom I had never heard or heard of was simply amazing. It was a great evening of jazz. Lewis was also good, but both Tyner and Brubeck had set the bar so high as well as taken most of the audience’s energy that Lewis just didn’t have the oomph needed to close out the show. Not his fault, however. Seriously, Brubeck at 84 gave one of the best performances I’ve seen and worked the crowd like an old, stately Bono in a white tuxedo.


3. The Blind Boys of Alabama for Peter Gabriel (Staples Center, 2002). The gospel quartet was simply awesome as their harmonies filled the arena. They easily stole the show that evening, and it was a good show on Gabriel’s part. Though I was a bit worried when one of the Blind Boys walked around the stage unaided and came close to the edge.


4. Black Eyed Sceva for Poor Old Lu (Shadrach’s, 1996). Along with Dime Store Prophets—who I liked live, but never cared for their albums—this show was one of the most consistent bills I’ve ever seen from top to bottom. For those who don’t know, Black Eyed Sceva sounded like a harder Toad the Wet Sprocket and later changed its name to Model Engine.


5. Spiritualized for Radiohead (Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 1998). Spiritualized complimented Radiohead perfectly and set up a sonic atmosphere that readied the audience to have their minds blown away by the headliner. Perhaps the perfect example of an opener—didn’t draw too much attention to themselves, but drew the audience in and prepared them for a great night of music.

In case you’re wondering, some of my least favorite opening acts include No Doubt for U2 (Oakland Arena, 2001), DC Talk for Michael W. Smith (Selland Arena, 1993)—a bad show all-around—and Fight for Anthrax (Wilson Theater, 1994). That last show was near the end of my metal days and I plead whatever Ammendment it is that grants you immunity for some of your musical tastes when you were fifteen.