YahYahY t1_ixeivis wrote on November 22, 2022 at 9:00 PM

Reply to comment by biingcherry_ in Musicians: If you are a headliner then play the headlining spot. by biingcherry_

Because “supporting acts” are just that, supporting acts. The venue wants a band to still play the last spot for the patrons that want to stay longer for drinks, etc. But the headliners get the spot that has the best turnout to the venue. A closing band is not always the headliner spot.

biingcherry_ OP t1_ixejc6s wrote on November 22, 2022 at 9:03 PM

I have never attended an event where an actual headliner didn't play the closing spot.

YahYahY t1_ixekhry wrote on November 22, 2022 at 9:11 PM

What city do you live in? It pretty common that a bar venue will structure it with doors at 7/7:30, an opener support 8pm- 9pm, headliner 9pm-10pm, and then closer support 10pm - 11pm. That way the headliner isn’t asking their fans to wait until 10pm, and through two sets, for their show to start. The closer in these gigs is there to keep the show going for fans and patrons that want to stay out until 11pm.

Seen plenty of gigs (especially at actually concert venues/halls and theaters as opposed to bars) where the headliner for sure plays last, but the bar venue structure is commonly what I stated above, and for good reason, because the whole point of the bar having music at their venue is to sell more drinks. And they sell more drinks when the band with the biggest draw gets the prime time slot, but they still have entertainment afterwards so people don’t just leave the bar after they see who they came for.

tamajor t1_ixf3npp wrote on November 22, 2022 at 11:29 PM

I've played hundreds of shows around Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, LA, and surrounding areas. When the "headliner" doesn't go last, it's a dick move. I've usually been a mid-act. I like playing mid. Lots of crowd cross-over. But if I'm booked to headline, I'm going to close. Sure, closing a small local show usually yields a weak crowd, but to be the biggest draw and torpedo another act by making them close after you... every scene I've been in knows that's a dick move.