I like a show with an opening act (just one though). Warms up the crowd, builds anticipation. Plus there's that neat trick that they crank up the decibels for the headliner so they seem even more impressive by comparison. Also, there's something special about hearing YOUR music after some unfamiliar music. There's an oooompf to it. It's like "here we go, this one's mine". The last time I saw DT, they just jumped on stage and started playing The Dark Eternal Night. It was so... anticlimactic.
Edit: thinking back on that show some more, as James entered, the overly loud and obviously pre-recorded, drenched-in-effects backing vocals were super jarring. Such a weird vibe overall to start off the show. I fully expect a great opener and good vibes with MP back. Please ditch the backing tracks and put MP & JP to siiiiing.
I just can't wrap my head around this trend of overusing backing tracks by otherwise talented and virtuoso musicians & metal bands. How come playing and sounding
live is not essential for a self-respecting musician? Why sacrifice the possibility for spontaneity and variety on the altar of sounding "perfect"?
I was at a prog fest last year and after all the punch-in backing vocals, synth lines (why not just get a synth player?), triggered drum sounds, pre-recorded bass lines (come on, Porcupine Tree, can't you just get a pinch bass player for your last tour?), I just felt seasick. I had to detox with some Venom on the way home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbldM7JEIeE