Is there an opening act ?

[mp4porter]

Is there an opening act for the Fall 2009 Tour? Seeing the NYC show this Friday!

[brightnow]

No, there is no opening act. The concert runs approximately three hours without one.
Enjoy the concert and welcome to the forum.

[Misty Marie]

You'll see ... any opening act would pale compared to what you're about to experience at the Garden. Let us hear from you after the show - and see if you agree!

Enjoy the concert. You'll never be the same.

Misty

[mp4porter]

Do you know if the concert starts right on time at 8pm? I've been to so many shows where they make you wait for at least an hour before coming on stage....

[mwaldman]

Yes, the concerts have been starting on time. Don't get there at the last minute or you risk missing the beginning of the concert, and believe me, you don't want to miss any of it.

Mike

[Misty Marie]

Do you know if the concert starts right on time at 8pm? I've been to so many shows where they make you wait for at least an hour before coming on stage....

8 p.m. (or 7:30), right on the money. You can set your watch by it. And don't be late. You won't want to miss a single minute.

[hydriot]

Other than in Australia where it is a legal requirement, the only opening act I have heard of was at Weybridge where Suzanne Vega, a friend of Leonard, performed an opening set (on her birthday no less). Weybridge was open air, so people were drifting in over several hours. Having an opener did not reduce the length of his own performance.

It worked well. Both my children, attending their very first Leonard concert, enjoyed Suzanne Vega ... my daughter not realising until then that she was the writer of the much-covered Tom's Diner.

[brightnow]

Can anyone please elaborate on the legal requirement in Australia for an opening act? Thanks!

[mwaldman]

From the Website of the Music Council of Australia ....

"Aussie Musicians Centre Stage"

Submission to The Hon Peter Garrett MP, Minister for the Arts
August 29, 2009
Written by Lynn Gailer and Richard Letts

During the 2007 election campaign, now-Minister Garrett announced an initiative to require presenters of tours by foreign artists to engage Australian musicians as opening acts. The initiative has not been implemented and a reason was suggested to the MCA. This letter suggests a way of addressing the obstacle and proceeding to implementation."

http://www.mca.org.au/web/content/view/123/6

My impression is that most foreign artists coming to Australia are complying with this initiative even though it has not been "officially" implemented. Perhaps some of our members from Oz can provide further information on the subject.

Mike

[jglBB]

.....to require presenters of tours by foreign artists to engage Australian musicians as opening acts.

Best way to insure that Australian musicians will stay exactly that: Opening acts. A bad idea, in my opinion.

[lizzytysh]

My friend asked me the same thing enroute to Ft. Lauderdale. It had never occurred to me. I laughed, but not at her... but rather at just the thought of any such necessity. None. Zero. Nada. Love to hear your reaction to NYC's concert, mp4porter .


~ Lizzy