A new series looking at the exposure some key local acts enjoyed after supporting some of the world’s biggest names has launched this week.
Live Nation’s “Sound Check” series offers a “unique glimpse” behind some of these slots – including Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers who opened for Pearl Jam in Australia late last year, as well as New Zealand’s Coterie who supported Tones And I and Anna Lunoe who opened for The Weeknd all in 2024.
“Supporting a major act on a tour is an incredible opportunity for any artist,” Mark Vaughan, SVP of Concerts and Touring, Live Nation Australia and New Zealand, said.
“It provides invaluable exposure, allowing them to connect with new audiences and gain experience performing on a grand scale.”
Check it out below.
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers said of their recent support slot on Pearl Jam’s Australian tour: “Playing these huge shows with my three best friends that I’ve had since I was eight years old is just a feeling that you cannot describe…
“It’s not something that the average person gets to do, so it feels really special.”
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Pearl Jam’s iconic frontman, Eddie Vedder, heaped praise on the Canberra rockers for their supporting duties, saying: “We are very honoured that you will say you saw [Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers] on the same stage as Pearl Jam.”
In fact, the band clearly did such a great job that they will now also support Pearl Jam on the U.S. leg of the “Dark Matter Tour” starting in April.
“It’s so crazy,” vocalist and singer Anna Ryan told Rolling Stone AU/NZ.
“Pearl Jam giving us their support has had such an effect on us. So many people have seen that now and seen our name with theirs. That’s what every big band could do for smaller artists.”
Lunoe also shared her experiences on supporting The Weeknd’s Kiss Land tour in 2013 in the new series.
“I felt so much more confident releasing my music just being a part of that tour and that experience just rewired my brain,” Lunoe said.
“After that, it just felt like anything was possible.”
