Rammstein, the legendary German industrial metal band, is scheduled to perform at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 18, 2023 as part of their North American Stadium Tour. As one of the most popular and influential bands in their genre, Rammstein concerts are highly anticipated events that draw large crowds of passionate fans. However, who the opening acts will be is often a closely guarded secret leading up to the events. Fans eagerly await news of who will have the prestigious honor of opening for Rammstein on this monumental tour.
Possibilities Based on Previous Openers
Looking at who has opened for Rammstein on previous tours can provide some clues as to who might open during their Los Angeles show. On their recent European Stadium Tour in 2019, Rammstein tapped the Swedish heavy metal band Amon Amarth as their supporting act. Known for their melodic, Viking-themed metal, Amon Amarth delivered crushing riffs that paired well with Rammstein’s intense industrial sound. Other past Rammstein openers have included bands like System of a Down, Slipknot, Ministry, Korn, and Combichrist. All of these bands fit into a similar dark, heavy aesthetic as Rammstein themselves.
Based on these past choices, it seems likely that Rammstein will choose an opening band from within the industrial, nu metal, or melodic death metal genres. Bands like Marilyn Manson, Bullet for My Valentine, In This Moment, and Lacuna Coil could all be strong contenders. A lesser known but up and coming metal outfit could also get the opportunity. Rammstein tends to provide solid representation of today’s metal music by mixing big names with younger bands.
Clues from the Band’s Interests and Influences
Looking at Rammstein’s own musical tastes and influences can provide further hints about who they might want to showcase as openers. In terms of influences, the band has talked about being inspired by other industrial groups like Ministry and Laibach. They also take cues from heavy metal masters like Black Sabbath. Rammstein is known for diverse styles, so their openers are likely to be similarly genre-blending.
The band’s own interests point to potential openings like Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, Mastodon, or Queens of the Stone Age. These bands all fuse multiple metal subgenres and would offer a complementary sound. Countrymates like the Berlin-based industrial group OOMPH! could also get the gig thanks to their shared German heritage. All these bands would satisfy Rammstein’s penchant for heavy, innovative and catchy music.
Announcement Timing
Rammstein tend to announce their tour openers about a month or two in advance. Since their Los Angeles show isn’t until September, details about their supporting acts likely won’t emerge until around July or August 2023. The band could drop hints or leak info earlier to build anticipation. But official word will probably come through Rammstein’s social media or PR channels about 8-10 weeks prior.
Past openers like System of a Down and Slipknot were revealed roughly 6-8 weeks before the start of extensive tours. The timing allows the bands to coordinate schedules and gives fans appropriate notice. It also builds the right amount of excitement and speculation. Rammstein has mastered the art of strategic touring announcements over decades of performing.
Most Likely Openers for Los Angeles
Taking past openers, influences, and industry chatter into account, here are some of the leading contenders to open Rammstein’s Los Angeles show:
- Ministry – Fellow industrial metal pioneers who have toured with Rammstein before.
- Marilyn Manson – Shock rocker with a complementary gloomy aesthetic.
- In This Moment – LA metal band with an intense yet melodic sound.
- Of Mice & Men – Younger metalcore group gaining lots of buzz.
- Korn – Veteran nu-metal band that would draw a huge crowd.
Ministry and Korn seem like the most likely choices if Rammstein wants to go with a seasoned act. In This Moment would satisfy the hometown crowd, while Of Mice & Men would offer a new band. Marilyn Manson falls somewhere in the middle as a huge name that hasn’t yet opened for Rammstein.
Other dark horse options that can’t be counted out include Deftones, Papa Roach, Rob Zombie, and Tool. Ultimately though, Ministry and Korn appear as the two frontrunners most likely to open Rammstein’s monumental LA show in September.
Impact on the Experience
No matter who ends up opening for Rammstein in Los Angeles, the overall experience for fans will be unforgettable. Seeing Rammstein live is a dramatic, incendiary event with pyrotechnics and over-the-top theatrics. Their crunching guitars, pummeling drums, and industrial synthesizers create a soundscape unmatched in metal. It’s an audiovisual spectacle that overwhelms the senses.
The opening band takes the stage first and gets the crowd energized for the main event. Fans arrive early to catch the opener, usually playing 45-60 minutes. Hearing the first thundering riffs pumps up the audience and builds atmosphere. By the time Rammstein takes the stage, the crowd is fired up and ready to erupt.
Anticipation peaks as the lights go down and dramatic intro music starts swelling through the venue. Suddenly, flames blaze from the stage and Rammstein burst into their first crushing song. Lighters and cell phone flashlights flicker to life throughout the stadium. The experience is visceral, mean, melodic and totally immersive. A Rammstein show is a full-on theatrical production that overloads the senses and exceeds all expectations.
Setlist Expectations
Since it’s a stadium show, Rammstein can craft a lengthy setlist spanning their entire catalog. Fans can count on hearing classics like “Du Hast,” “Sonne,” “Ich Will,” and “Feuer Frei!” Their latest untitled album from 2019 will also get plenty of play with bangers like “Radio,” “Ausländer,” and “Zeig Dich.” Rammstein always features lots of fire, pyrotechnics, costumes, props and multimedia effects.
Throughout their career, the band has never stopped upping the ante. Their current stadium production utilizes cutting-edge lighting, video screens, and special effects. The show incorporates headbanging metal with almost operatic drama. Each tour Rammstein unveils new contraptions like flamethrowers, moving stages, and pyrotechnic gear. Fans can look forward to innovative theatrics combined with their iconic industrial metal catalogue.
Given the sheer spectacle, Rammstein needs an expansive open-air stadium to house their complex production. The vast scale of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will allow the band to realize their entire creative vision. The only downside is that the enormous venue makes tickets tricky to secure for diehard fans.
Ticket Demand and Access
Due to their legendary live shows and limited touring schedule, Rammstein tickets are always in short supply and high demand when they visit North America. Their upcoming Los Angeles stop is no exception. Tickets went on sale February 20th through Ticketmaster and sold out within hours. Only resale tickets remain for extravagant markups.
Let’s take a look at some stats on Rammstein ticket sales:
| Original Price Range for LA Tickets | $50 – $150 |
| Current Resale Prices | $200 – $1,000+ |
| Tickets Listed on Resale Sites | 2,500+ |
| Projected Attendance | 50,000+ |
As the table illustrates, prices on secondary markets now fetch 2-10X the original face value. With tickets in such short supply, fans pay hefty premiums for the scarce chance to see Rammstein’s incendiary show.
Traveling for the Experience
Given their selective North American touring, the most diehard Rammstein fans travel extensively to catch the band when they can. For the Los Angeles show, many devotees will flock in from cities across the western half of the continent.
Based on past tours, we can expect fans traveling from as far as:
- Vancouver, Canada (1,100 miles away)
- Mexico City, Mexico (1,800 miles away)
- Dallas, TX (1,300 miles away)
- Denver, CO (850 miles away)
- Portland, OR (1,000 miles away)
That’s a huge distance, requiring planes, trains and automobiles for most. But for Rammstein worshippers, no effort is spared. Hotels near the LA Coliseum will be jam-packed with disciples who have journeyed hundreds or thousands of miles to attend the show.
Significance of the Event
Beyond the music itself, a Rammstein concert holds special significance for fans on multiple levels. Their shows provide a space for the metal community to convene and celebrate their passion. Like-minded individuals gather to immerse themselves in the dark themes, aggressive music, and festival-like environment.
Seeing Rammstein live also checks an item off the metal bucket list. Fans reminisce about the show for years as a pinnacle experience. Additionally, the band’s limited touring makes each performance more special and rare. Rammstein only visits North America every 4-5 years for select dates.
For many fans, Rammstein’s music also holds a deeper individual meaning. The band has said their lyrics are poetic rather than political. But their themes of solitude, pain, and darkness resonate with listeners who have struggled. The shows provide catharsis.
Conclusion
Rammstein’s upcoming Los Angeles show will be a monumental heavy metal event. While the opening act remains a mystery, the performance itself is guaranteed to be an explosive multimedia spectacle. The band always delivers an utterly unique and unforgettable experience for fans. Followers from across the continent will make pilgrimages to attend the show and unite with fellow metal fans.
The night will be filled with fire, theatricality, crunching metal riffs, and most importantly a sense of community. Rammstein reminds us of the power of loud, melodic catharsis and imagination. Whoever has the honor of opening the show will be part of something legendary.
