Kid Cudi is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor who is embarking on The To The Moon World Tour in 2023. As one of the most popular rappers today, Kid Cudi often brings along opening acts to warm up the crowd before his headlining set. So who will be joining Kid Cudi on tour and opening up his shows?
Kid Cudi’s Upcoming Tour
Kid Cudi announced The To The Moon World Tour in February 2023. The tour is in support of his latest album ‘Entergalactic’ and will take him across North America and Europe from April through August 2023.
Some key details about The To The Moon World Tour:
- 41 shows currently announced
- Kicks off April 5th in Vancouver, BC
- Runs through August 2nd in Milan, Italy
- Major stops include New York City, Chicago, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris
The tour marks Kid Cudi’s first proper world tour since 2016. Fans are incredibly excited to see him perform live again with his full production and band. However, nearly just as exciting is getting to see who Cudi will have open these monumental shows.
Why Do Artists Have Openers?
Most major touring artists like Kid Cudi bring along one or more supporting acts to open their shows. There are a few key reasons why:
- Warm Up the Crowd: The opening act helps get the crowd energized and excited before the headliner comes on stage.
- Introduce New Artists: Bringing fresh talent on tour is a great way to showcase new artists to a bigger audience.
- Maximize Ticket Sales: Fans are more inclined to buy tickets earlier when they know who the openers are on a tour.
Having a hot up-and-coming artist open the show also generates more press and media buzz for the tour. Ultimately, it’s a win-win situation for both the headliner and the supporting acts.
How Do Artists Select Openers?
When choosing opening acts for tour, headliners tend to look for artists who fit a certain criteria:
- Similar or complementary musical style
- Buzzing in the industry
- Strong fanbase that will show up early
- Good relationship or previous history with the headliner
The opener has to get the crowd pumped up but also properly primed for the vibe and energy of the headliner. A smart pairing of acts can make for an incredible show from start to finish.
Who is Opening for Kid Cudi on Tour?
So which artists did Kid Cudi hand pick to support him on The To The Moon Tour? He announced a stacked lineup of openers for the different legs of the tour including:
North American Leg
- Don Toliver (April 5 – May 17)
- Denzel Curry (May 18 – June 22)
- Jockstrap (June 23 – July 16)
These three rappers and rising stars are joining Kid Cudi for the North American dates on the tour.
Europe Leg
- 070 Shake (July 31 – August 2)
The alt-R&B singer 070 Shake will be supporting Kid Cudi as he headlines festivals and arenas across Europe.
Below is a full table summarizing the different supporting acts on each leg of The To The Moon Tour:
Tour Leg | Supporting Acts | Dates |
---|---|---|
North America | Don Toliver | April 5 – May 17 |
North America | Denzel Curry | May 18 – June 22 |
North America | Jockstrap | June 23 – July 16 |
Europe | 070 Shake | July 31 – August 2 |
Why Were These Artists Picked?
Kid Cudi chose these talented rappers and singers for strategic reasons to complement each leg of the tour perfectly:
- Don Toliver: His psychedelic trap style meshes well with Kid Cudi’s rock-influenced hip-hop.
- Denzel Curry: Brings high energy and lyrical fire to prime the crowd up even more.
- Jockstrap: Their avant pop and electronic sound is the perfect transition for the European festival crowds.
- 070 Shake: Her genre-bending style fits Kid Cudi’s diversity and they have collaborated before.
Beyond just complementary music, these are all artists that have garnered critical acclaim lately and have devoted fanbases of their own. Their inclusion will help drive ticket sales and excitement for the tour.
What to Expect From the Supporting Acts
What can fans expect when these talented musicians take the stage before Kid Cudi? Here’s a brief primer on their music styles and what their opening sets might be like:
Don Toliver
Don Toliver burst onto the rap scene in 2018 with his mixtape ‘Donny Womack’ featuring the hit “No Idea”. His psychedelic, melodic style has earned him collaborations with Travis Scott, Eminem, and others. As an opener, expect a moody, trippy set with hits like “After Party” and “What You Need” getting the crowd hyped.
Denzel Curry
Denzel Curry is a fiery, lyrical rapper from Florida who has gained notoriety for his rapid-fire flow and high energy shows. Since his breakout mixtape ‘Nostalgic 64’ in 2013, he has become one of the most sought-after live performers in hip-hop. His sets are wildly aggressive, making him the perfect pre-headliner to get the mosh pits moving.
Jockstrap
Jockstrap is an English electronic duo known for their blend of industrial beats, ethereal vocals, and avant pop sensibilities. Their reputation has been growing rapidly since their debut album ‘I Love You Jennifer B’ in 2022. While less known than the other openers, their otherworldly sound should mesmerize festival crowds and synth pop fans in Europe.
070 Shake
070 Shake burst onto the scene as a member of Kanye West’s GOOD Music label, known for her genre-defying style flowing between singing, rapping, and spoken word. Since her 2018 debut ‘Glitter’, she has gained acclaim for her conceptual albums and stunning live performances. Having previously collaborated with Kid Cudi, her set will surely complement the headliner nicely.
How Long are the Opening Sets?
Most opening acts on major concert tours like this get 30-45 minutes to perform. This gives them enough time to play 5-10 songs and put on a complete show. The goal is warming up the audience sufficiently to get them hyped for the headliner.
While 45 minutes may seem short, it’s an invaluable opportunity for these rising talents. The exposure of playing in front of huge crowds in legendary arenas looks fantastic on their resumes. Plus, they can gain many new fans from the built-in audience who arrive early.
Will the Openers Join Kid Cudi On Stage?
Sometimes headliners will bring out their openers as a special guest during their own sets. Considering Kid Cudi has collaborated extensively with all of the supporting acts before, there is a strong chance for some surprise duets and guest appearances over the course of the tour.
Here are some potential collaborations we may see:
- Kid Cudi and 070 Shake performing “Ghost Town” together
- Denzel Curry joining for a rendition of “Ultimate”
- Don Toliver staying on stage for “Melting”
- Jockstrap providing guest vocals on “Leader of the Delinquents”
Such unannounced collaborations always lead to huge fan reactions and create amazing memories from the shows. Let’s hope these talented artists get the chance to share the stage during Kid Cudi’s set as well!
How to Get Tickets
Given the level of talent performing each night, these Kid Cudi tour dates are sure to be in sky-high demand. Here are some tips for finding the best tickets:
- Purchase early for the best selection of seats before they sell out
- Join Kid Cudi’s fan club for special pre-sale ticket access
- Check resale sites leading up to the shows for last minute deals
- Be wary of fake tickets and scams online
- Consider VIP packages for a premium experience
There you have it – a complete rundown on who will be opening shows across Kid Cudi’s long awaited To The Moon World Tour. This supporting lineup is truly a music fan’s dream come true. Don’t miss your chance to catch these talented rising stars live before Kid Cudi blows the roof off each venue later in the night!