Pentatonix is an a cappella group known for their amazing vocal skills and innovative arrangements of popular songs. Their live shows are highly entertaining spectacles featuring not only their soaring 5-part harmonies but also impressive choreography and stage production. Most concert tours have one or more opening acts that perform before the headliner. So who warms up the crowd before Pentatonix takes the stage? Let’s take a look at who has opened for Pentatonix on recent tours.
Pentatonix Recent Tours and Openers
Pentatonix has been actively touring for nearly a decade now. They routinely sell out venues across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Their live shows are a thrilling experience for fans of all ages. Here is a look at some of their most notable recent tours and the opening acts:
The World Tour (2019)
In 2019, Pentatonix embarked on a massive world tour in support of their album Pentatonix: The Best of Pentatonix Christmas. This tour hit over 50 cities across North America and Europe from May to September 2019. The opening act for most of the North American leg was Rachel Platten, best known for her 2015 hit single “Fight Song.” Platten brought her energetic pop stylings to the stage, getting the crowd excited for the a capella excellence of Pentatonix.
A Pentatonix Christmas Tour (2016-2019)
From 2016 to 2019, Pentatonix did annual Christmas tours to support their smash hit Christmas albums. In 2016 and 2017, they were joined by special guest Rebecca Sugar. She is best known as the creator of the animated series Steven Universe, but Sugar also composes pop music. She performed fun holiday songs from her repertoire.
In 2018, the Canadian trio Gentri was tapped as the opening act. Their holiday album Our Christmas Wish had just been released, making them an ideal festive opener for Pentatonix. And in 2019, singer and dancer Todrick Hall opened the Christmas tour. Hall delighted audiences with his high-energy song and dance numbers.
North American Tour (2015)
In 2015, Pentatonix did an extensive North American tour, hitting over 50 cities. This tour featured not one but two opening acts split across the tour stops. Half the shows were opened by singer/songwriter Echosmith. The indie pop band played songs from their debut album Talking Dreams to warm up the crowds. The other half of the tour had the a capella group Home Free as openers. Their country-tinged vocal performances complemented Pentatonix nicely. This tour showed how multiple openers can keep things fresh across long tours.
Criteria for a Good Pentatonix Opener
When selecting an opening act for their tours, what criteria might Pentatonix and their management team be looking for? Here are some likely factors:
– Musical style – An opener that meshes well with Pentatonix stylistically makes sense. Upbeat pop, electronic dance music, R&B, or a capella groups are genres likely to appeal to Pentatonix fans.
– Energy – Pentatonix puts on a high-energy show packed with choreography, lighting effects, and complex vocal arrangements. An opener who brings great energy and excitement primes the audience for the headliner performance.
– Fan appeal – Acts with existing fan bases of their own can help draw bigger crowds. Pentatonix likely aims for openers who will intrigue their fans to show up early.
– Budget – More popular openers require bigger booking fees. But spending on a noteworthy opener can be worthwhile if they help boost ticket sales.
– Availability – Scheduling has to line up.finding an act available for the entirety of a world tour is ideal.
– Buzz – Openers generating hype through viral hits, TV appearances, or a hot new album can boost Pentatonix’s tour impact.
Requirements for Being a Tour Opener
What does it take for an act to land a coveted opening slot on a major tour like Pentatonix? Here are some key requirements:
– Have 30-45 minutes worth of performance material. Openers only get short sets so having enough songs is crucial.
– Be able to adapt set and production to different venue sizes. Arena shows have very different needs than smaller theaters or amphitheaters.
– Have touring experience. Managing life on the road requires stamina.
– Be flexible. Opening band must schedule around the headliner’s needs.
– Have name recognition and existing fan base. This makes promoters more likely to book an act.
– Engage in grassroots marketing. Successful openers often promote on social media and directly to fans.
Overall, being an opener means putting on a low-maintenance, high-energy show that appeals to the headliner’s fans. It’s a great opportunity for exposure but requires sacrifice. Many acts have gone from unknown openers to major stars over the years though.
Other Pentatonix Openers
In addition to the openers mentioned for recent tours above, here are some other acts who have opened for Pentatonix over their touring career:
– Us the Duo (2022 Christmas Tour)
– Holiday A Cappella (2021 Christmas Tour)
– Leslie Odom Jr. (2018 Christmas Tour)
– Kelly Clarkson (2016 Tour)
– American Authors (2015 On My Way Home Tour)
– Alexander Cardinale (2014 Tour)
– Naturally 7 (2014 European Tour)
As this list shows, Pentatonix tends to choose openers who are lesser known emerging acts, which matches the criteria discussed earlier. This gives up-and-coming artists a useful platform while allowing Pentatonix to perform their full prime time set.
Most Common Opening Act
The artist who has opened for Pentatonix the most over the years is Alexander Cardinale. He is a Canadian pop/classical crossover singer who was part of the same management company as Pentatonix early in their careers. Cardinale opened for the group on their 2014 US tour as well as tours in 2015 and 2016. He has a similar uplifting theatrical pop style that meshes well with Pentatonix’s aesthetic. Cardinale has also collaborated directly with Pentatonix on occasion as well.
Opening Acts Help Make Live Shows Memorable
Although the main attraction at any concert is the headliner act, openers are still an integral part of the live show experience. The energy and diversity they bring to the event helps satisfy fans and creates an electrifying atmosphere. An impressive opener can make the memory of a great concert even more special for the audience. Pentatonix clearly understands this – they’ve made a point of having talented up-and-coming artists open their tours over the years.
Conclusion
Part of what makes the Pentatonix concert experience so fun is enjoying other music artists as well. Their touring production company carefully selects opening acts that will appeal to their fans. Upbeat pop or a cappella groups are common openers, as are emerging acts with strong live energy. While Pentatonix provides the main event, the openers they choose help make for an even more memorable show. Going forward, audiences can expect to discover new rising talents as the opening performance for Pentatonix.