Before selling out arenas and headlining global tours, many of today’s biggest artists built their reputations in far less forgiving settings: opening slots, limited stage time and crowds that hadn’t come to see them.
Those early performances have historically served as a critical launching pad, giving emerging musicians exposure to massive audiences while sharing the stage with already established headliners.
Lady Gaga
- Opening act for The Pussycat Dolls (2009)
In early 2009, Lady Gaga joined The Pussycat Dolls on the North American leg of their Doll Domination Tour, performing shortly after releasing The Fame. At the time, songs like “Just Dance” were beginning to gain traction on radio, but she was still largely unknown to mainstream audiences attending the shows.
Her performances quickly became a talking point. Gaga’s theatrical approach—including live piano segments and striking visuals—stood in contrast to typical opening sets, helping her stand out night after night. By the end of that same year, she had launched her own Fame Ball Tour, marking one of the fastest transitions from opening act to headliner in modern pop.
Sabrina Carpenter
- Opening act for Ariana Grande (2017)
Sabrina Carpenter was selected as the opening act for Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman Tour in 2017, performing across major arenas in North America. At that point, Carpenter had released EVOLution, but her exposure was still largely tied to television audiences rather than mainstream pop listeners.
The tour placed her in front of tens of thousands of fans nightly, significantly expanding her reach. It also marked one of her first experiences performing at arena scale, something that would later become standard as she transitioned into headlining tours of her own, particularly following the success of her later pop releases.
Billie Eilish
- Opening act for Florence + the Machine (2018)
Billie Eilish joined Florence + the Machine for select dates of the High as Hope Tour in 2018, at a time when her EP Don’t Smile at Me was gaining momentum online. She was still performing relatively short sets, often in daylight slots or early evening positions.
Despite the limited time, her performances drew attention for their minimalism—often featuring just Eilish and her brother Finneas on stage. Within months, she released her debut album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, rapidly shifting her from opening act to one of the most in-demand headliners in the industry.
Shawn Mendes
- Opening act for Taylor Swift (2015) and Austin Mahone (2014)
Shawn Mendes first toured as an opening act for Austin Mahone in 2014, performing in theaters and smaller venues shortly after gaining attention on Vine. Just a year later, he joined Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour, performing in stadiums across North America.
That jump in scale proved critical. Playing in front of crowds exceeding 50,000 people per night accelerated his fanbase growth significantly. By 2016, Mendes was headlining his own world tour, completing a rapid progression that mirrored the exposure he gained from those early supporting slots.
Taylor Swift
- Opening act for Rascal Flatts (2006)
Taylor Swift’s first major touring opportunity came in 2006 when she opened for Rascal Flatts on their Me and My Gang Tour. At just 16, she performed songs from her debut album to country audiences who were unfamiliar with her at the time.
Her performances quickly resonated, leading to increased album sales and radio attention. By the following year, she was already transitioning into co-headlining roles, and within a few years, she had become one of the biggest touring artists globally, eventually setting records with tours like The Eras Tour.
Florence + the Machine
- Opening act for U2 (2011)
Florence + the Machine supported U2 during select dates of their 360° Tour in 2011, one of the highest-grossing tours in history. Performing in massive stadiums, the band introduced their music to audiences far beyond their existing fanbase.
The scale of those performances helped solidify their international presence. Shortly after, their album Ceremonials debuted strongly on global charts, and they began headlining major festivals, marking a clear shift from supporting act to major draw.
Dua Lipa
- Opening act for Troye Sivan (2016)
In 2016, Dua Lipa joined Troye Sivan on his Suburbia Tour, performing in mid-sized venues across North America. At that point, she had released early singles like “Be the One,” which were starting to gain international traction.
The tour played a key role in building her live performance experience and expanding her audience. Within a year, her self-titled debut album produced multiple hits, and she quickly transitioned into headlining her own shows, eventually becoming one of the defining pop acts of the late 2010s.
5 Seconds of Summer
- Opening act for One Direction (2013)
5 Seconds of Summer joined One Direction on the Take Me Home Tour in 2013, performing in arenas across Europe and Australia. Their inclusion came after gaining attention through YouTube covers, but they had yet to release a full studio album.
The exposure was immediate and massive. The band’s social media following grew rapidly during the tour, and by 2014, their debut album debuted at No. 1 in multiple countries. They soon embarked on their own headlining tours, supported by a fanbase largely built during those opening performances.
Conan Gray
- Opening act for Panic! at the Disco (2019)
Conan Gray opened for Panic! at the Disco on select dates of the Pray for the Wicked Tour in 2019, marking one of his first major touring opportunities. At the time, his debut album Kid Krow had not yet been released.
The exposure helped introduce his music to larger audiences, particularly in arena settings. Following the release of Kid Krow in 2020, Gray’s popularity surged, leading to sold-out headline tours and solidifying his position in the pop landscape.
Chappell Roan
- Opening act for Declan McKenna (2018)
Chappell Roan toured with Declan McKenna in 2018 during an early phase of her career, performing material that leaned more toward indie pop before her later stylistic evolution. At the time, she was still building her artistic identity and audience.
Years later, her transformation into a bold, theatrical pop performer brought renewed attention. With the success of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, she transitioned into headlining tours, drawing significantly larger crowds than during her early opening days.
Doechii
- Opening act for Beyonce (2023)
Doechii was part of select performances surrounding Beyonce’s Renaissance World Tour in 2023, placing her in front of one of the largest global touring audiences of the year. The opportunity aligned with her growing reputation following releases like She / Her / Black Bitch.
That visibility elevated her profile significantly within the industry. Following the tour, Doechii continued to gain traction through collaborations and festival appearances, reinforcing her status as one of the most promising emerging artists in hip-hop.
Jonas Brothers
- Opening act for The Cheetah Girls and Aly & AJ (2005)
In 2005, the Jonas Brothers opened for The Cheetah Girls and Aly & AJ during Disney-associated tours, performing in theaters and small venues across the United States. At the time, they had not yet released their breakthrough material.
Those performances helped them connect directly with a young audience that would later become their core fanbase. Within a few years, albums like A Little Bit Longer propelled them to mainstream success, eventually leading to sold-out arena tours and a lasting presence in pop music.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source spoiler.bolavip.com ’
