HOW TO BECOME AN OPENING ACT
Opening for a bigger artist puts you in front of a crowd that already loves live music. Here's how independent artists actually get those slots.
BUILD A LOCAL DRAW
Promoters want openers who sell tickets. Play your own shows, grow an email list and track how many people you bring.
KNOW WHO BOOKS
Find out who books touring acts at the venues you want to play. Go to their shows, be friendly, and introduce yourself.
PITCH SPECIFIC SHOWS
Email the promoter about one upcoming show, explain why you fit the headliner's audience, and include your draw, a live video and your EPK.
BE EASY TO WORK WITH
Show up on time, keep to your set length, promote the show and thank the crew. Good openers get asked back.
GUARANTEED AIRPLAY EVERY SATURDAY
Submit one song a week and it airs on the Hot Artists or Upcoming Artists portion of the Saturday show starting at 3 PM Eastern / 12 PM Pacific, with a personal review from our DJs.
- $49 per month, cancel anytime
- One new song every week — every song you send gets played
- Saturday show at 3 PM Eastern / 12 PM Pacific
- A personal DJ review of every song
- Your own artist profile page with your bio, links, and review archive
- Private member wall and direct messaging with other artists and our DJ
- A new press-release article about you every 30 days, with your music embedded
- Daily motivation messages from DJ SKI FACE
- Chance to win $100 every month
- No approval process. Everyone is accepted.
Our first show airs October 3, 2026.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Do opening acts get paid?
Sometimes. Pay varies a lot by venue, city and headliner, so agree on terms before the show.
What helps my pitch to promoters?
Proof of momentum: ticket counts, streams, press and radio play. Independent Radio FM members get a Saturday radio credit every week to point to.