Its the auditory equivalent of preferring the starter to the mains at a restaurant. Sometimes it is even worth getting the tickets specifically for that first course: I recall many years ago going to see Judie Tzuke at B'ham Odeon, purely to see Any Trouble, who did a corking show. Judy was past her initial hint of promise and it was sub-metal nonsense, which meant a return to the bar, where Mr Gregson and compatriots were bemoaning what seemed to be the arse end of their existence. He seemed little cheered by my information that we had come only for him...Indeed I was later quite pleased to hear he had forsaken the grog.
A more tenuous thread to pull toward a show was going to see Sheryl Crow, in part because she was supported by a between Waterboys Mike Scott, again primarily because his then bassist was Mr Ian McNabb. I hoped he would be given a song or two but no such luck. Sheryl was actually pretty good, it being just after her third CD had come out.
In fact, as I write I realise that I have quite often gone to see acts because of members of the band. I went to see Billy Bragg some years ago mainly as Ian MacLagan had just started in his stint as keyboard man for the Blokes. I was not disappointed.

but once, cheerfully attending a Supertramp gig with only the words "with support" on the ticket to indicate a less well known act on first, I was gobsmacked and delighted to find myself watching Joan Armatrading.

She was backed by a band from Brum called "The Movies" (one album, fair to middling), and was on her very first national tour.

"Love And Affection" was in the lower rungs of the charts, being played encouragingly by Johnnie Walker and, I think, Noel Edmunds in his Saturday morning Radio 1 heyday. She was shaking with nerves when she approached the microphone, but went on to give a sterling performance.

The 'Tramp subsequently dished out a great set, peaking with "Crime Of The Century", and I thoroughly enjoyed them, but it was the unexpected treat of catching Joan that I cherish most.

....but a friend told me once he went to see the dutch band Golden Earring in Glasgow. The support was an unknown(to him)American band called Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The place was packed to the rafters....the support came on, played for about 3/4 of an hour, then played an encore! Support band left the stage and half the audience left too...hehe!!

....here in Brum she was big for several albums before and after.I will ignore your provocation re Tracy Chapman, a lack lustre and less satisfactory copy.

with Joan Armatrading supporting. Agree with Retro here in Brum she is indeed bigger than her national standing. In fact when Ronnie Scotts Birmingham went into administration a few years back if you read the liquidators report the highest paid act ever to perform there was Joan Armatrading and I think if memory serves me correctly she got paid £15,000 for her gig there. Not bad for a lass with an acoustic guitar.

Back to the original thread - I saw Ian McNabb support John Martyn at Warwick Arts Centre - as much as I like John, Ian was better on the night.
Saw Peter Gabriel era Genesis support Lindisfarne at Birmingham Odeon and they blew them off stage.
Also saw a double header of Lyle Lovett Big Band and Mary Chapin Carpenter - I absolutely love MCC but have to say that Lyle Lovett who performed first was much better.

when pretty much any gig with Byzantium in the support slot would get a good turnout, irrespective of the main act. I can remember seeing them play several times, but I can't tell you who they were supporting, as I'd gone to see them.

Around the same time, Stray were another perennial support slot favourite, and Del Bromham & Co. never failed to give an excellent account of themselves. In fact, I believe they still tour to this day.

...perhaps because the bands I've seen are generally of an older vintage.

The O'Keefe Centre Toronto, 1977. Nick Lowe and Dave Edmonds were thrillingly on song, played 40 minutes of pounding rock n roll(not "Rock") and beautiful Everly type harmonies and then on grumped Van with a "mail it in" set which featured most songs played at twice their normal speed, including tracks from the dismal "Wavelength" and the direst version of "Moondance" sang by a female back up singer. Thank God for Nick and the boys!!

Early 2007 went to see Goldfrapp, who were okayish (there's another thread going involving a description of how 'live' they are), but the 'plus support' turned out to be an unknown-to-us band called Hot Chip who completely rocked the place. Pretty sure everyone came out won over. Also remember back in the early eighties OMD being supported by the much-better Cocteau Twins.

Sonny Landreth (supporting Southside Johnny)
Patty Griffin (Emmylou Harris)
Kim Richey and also Allison Moorer (Tricia Yearwood)
Kim Richey (again) (Raoul Malo)

1. Hardline (the venture Neal Schon from Journey turned his attention to following the demise of Bad Englsih) supporting Extreme in 1992

2. Queens of the Stone Age supporting the Foo Fighters in 2000

3. Masters of Reality supporting Mark Lanegan in 2002

4. Rage Against the Machine supporting Kiss in 1996

5. Van Halen supporting Bon Jovi in 1995

6. Saigon Kick supporting Extreme 1991

7. Sepultura supporting Motorhead in 2005

8. The Scorpions supporting Judas Priest in 2005

9. Kong supporting Nine Black Alps in 2008

shit, i've just read back the above list and realise that i come across as a shallow metal-freak. not true m'lud - i've enjoyed numerous shows by kathryn williams, low, sigur ros, radiohead, gusgus, the jayhawks, black francis, yann tiersen, craig armstrong, michael nyman....honest!

.... I took my missus to see the first Duran Duran reunion tour. It was like the biggest hen night in the world, 9,950 screaming 30-something women and about 50 men. But I digress. Support was from Goldfrapp, whom I'd never heard a note from before. Don't care how "live" they were, they were a fantastic live experience with Alison Godfrapp fiddling about with her theremin, horses tails, all that malarkey. Simon Le Bon and the guys were a bit of a let-down for me after that.

...Little Feat supporting The Doobie Brothers. I was expecting him to pop up any time about now and declare that he wins.

http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/what-039-s-best-support-act-you-03...

That it was The Animals supporting Chuck Berry...

Thought he'd be here by now.

Maybe it's podcast day.

at the Kentish Town Forum (Town & Country) and before they came on this slightly chubby guy took the stage in baggy jeans and T-Shirt and picked up a guitar, then another unassuming oriental looking chap came on and picked up a guitar too - I reckoned it was the Muses' roadies. But next came a girl who picked up a bass and then there was an almighty thudding from the drums and the little chubby guy just screamed at the top of his voice, completely out of this world! Beats the usual 1,2 testing I thought...but then the guitars came in and I realized it was the support band - The Pixies!

Of course Throwing Muses were pants after witnessing the Pixies, still one of the most mind-blowing performances I've ever seen.

SAHB (Moth the Hoople)
Queen (Mott the Hoople)

don't look for it, it's not there anymore

This happens so infrequently, the only one that really springs to mind is Pulp supporting St Etienne in what must have been '93. Something great was happening and Pulp were it, basically.

Went to see Editors in Birmingham who I wouldn't have chosen to see personally but other half was keen. I do quite like their one song now and again though. So chances of enjoying support more were quite good since were 2 bands. Sons and Daughters were one of these. They did rock rather. The other one was called Mobius Band from New York, also enjoyable - electro-pop type affair.

Swansea Uni 1975 or so... Renaissance were in their artistic prime but were largely unknown, just after recording their third LP Turn Of The Cards. Caravan were touring IIRC For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night, probably their second best LP. Renaissance were stunningly good, Caravan were beset by sound problems but never stood a chance anyway.

Verve (before they added the definitive article) supporting the Black Crowes, circa 1993. Not as good as Chris and the boys, but blimmin' impressive. Where did it all go wrong?
FiveThirty at a Chapterhouse show. The former were a blinding combination of psychedelia and the Jam. The latter were the aural equivalent of a porridge sandwich.
The then unknown Beth Orton supporting John Cale, Shepherds Bush Empire.
Wondermints supporting Teenage Fanclub at the Astoria. Only caught the last two songs, but became an instant convert.
New York Fund supporting The Hold Steady last year at the Borderline. Again, not better than the headliners, but mighty good, and I've been to see them since because of that 30 minute slot.

..and a couple I haven't, but have gone down in history:
Led Zep supporting (I think) Iron Butterfly on the West coast, late 60s. Audience leaves in droves during IB's set. For a whole tour.
Stereo MCs stealing Happy Monday's gig in 1993. Not hard in those troubled times, but still.

Took baby brother to see Mink DeVille supporting newly Wilko-less Dr Feelgood at Newcastle City Hall. Suffice to say that the Spanish Strollers wiped the floor with the chaps from Canvey Island.
Back to Byzantium. Saw them supporting The Faces at the Top Rank in Sunderland when Rod and the lads were in their pomp. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Would have left and gone to the bar, if the bar hand't been in the corner of the dance hall. Still, a game of "Spot-the-Rod-alike" passed what seemed like hours of tedium.

Took baby brother to see Mink DeVille supporting newly Wilko-less Dr Feelgood at Newcastle City Hall. Suffice to say that the Spanish Strollers wiped the floor with the chaps from Canvey Island.
Back to Byzantium. Saw them supporting The Faces at the Top Rank in Sunderland when Rod and the lads were in their pomp. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Would have left and gone to the bar, if the bar hand't been in the corner of the dance hall. Still, a game of "Spot-the-Rod-alike" passed what seemed like hours of tedium.

Touch of e-hiccups. Sorry!

support Richard Thompson - I bought one of her cds and got her to sign it - she is a very nice lady as well as a great artist.

Sven, I saw Sons and Daughters at SXSW - Great band and the lead singer is a sexy and feisty performer. Loved them live and got their cd which is good but will need more plays.

Supporting Cunting Crows

I forgot that I went to see REM at Cardiff Arms Park (now the Millennium Stadium) during their infamous 'aneurysm' tour. The supports were Del Amitri, someone else I can't recall, and Belly, who went on first to a resounding show of apathy from the crowd.

Del Amitri rocked, though.

Ah - back when REM were any good....

I went to see someone at Birmingham Odeon years ago (either Jeff Beck or Graham Parker or John Martyn) and the support was John Hiatt. Bought Slug Line the next day. Next time I saw him he was at the Odeon again in Ry Cooder's band with Bobby King & Terry Evans - superb backing vox. Support to one of the three mentioned above (probably G Parker) was Southside Johnny & the Asbury Dukes, again brilliant.
Saw Chris Smither at The Red Lion in Kings Heath and support was Kelly Joe Phelps - unbelievable. Some while later went to see Kelly Joe at The Phoenix in Leics and support should have been Adrian Legg but he didn't play because he had earlier fallen off his bike. Gutted.
Went to see someone I can't remember at The Musician in Leicester a while ago who had an advertised support who I also can't remember. In between an unscheduled singer did a set which was a treat - Scott Matthews.
Cosmic Rough Riders at The Charlotte in Leicester had to follow David Mead who was superb. Next time they came there they brought along The 45's (previously called Harrison, later Aqualung) and The Electric Soft Parade, which was brave of them.
Subsequently went to see Aqualung at Leics Uni and support was Duke Special, who should be massive.
Saw Chris Rea in Nottingham Royal a few weeks ago mainly because his bass player is Colin Hodgkinson, formerly of Back Door - look him up on You Tube.
Ther may be more but I can't remember them!

I grew up in Dundee in the 70s. I say this not to hoover your sympathy but to point out that, while it did attract many "name" acts, it was not on the Edinburgh/Glasgow circuit which most bands played. Everything changed when punk came along and suddenly there were lots of acts who were keen to come to fairly big but out of the way places like mine. I remember going to a show which can only be described as an old-fashioned package tour with Eddie and the Hot Rods headlining (2 hits and some TV at that point I think), supported by The Radio Stars (1 hit) and with Squeeze opening.
Being a fair sized city, the venue was a big barn of a place called the Caird Hall which holds about 3-4,000. Even when the Rods came on there must have been less than 1500 people there, when Squeeze were on it was probably half that amount - but they were great. As were (and I can't believe I'm saying this) the Radio Stars.

I saw Fairport Convention supporting Mott The Hoople
and John Martyn supporting Free. Didn´t care much for supporters then. Too many acoustic instruments. Bragging about it these days..

Wembley Arena 21st May 1988 - Fleetwood Mac.
They were rubbish and I enjoyed The Adventures more.

The current Word darling supporting Elvis Costello at the Manchester Apollo was superb but I couldn't (unlike my wife) bring myself to pay good money to see Marti Pellow just because Chris was supporting him.

Alabama 3 blew Primal Scream off the stage (I think it was 97).

An "unplugged" Morcheeba supporting Lambchop at QEH in 2000 was fun.

Thing is though for each decent support band you may encounter you have to sit through hours of toss.

Went to see the Sandkings (sub Wonder Stuff/Stourbridge band) at a pub gig in Nottingham in '91. I was early and saw the support band soundcheck. I thought they were utter shite - they all looked older than the main band, and the singer had a dodgy eye and a skinhead. The soundman said he thought they were shite too but they'd just been signed to EMI (whereas the Sandkings had just been dropped by London). Went to the bar during there set, before the Sandkings played to the usual half dozen people. Anyway I nabbed a poster from the gig and the support band's name was Radiohead. I brag about it now but at the time it was terrible.

Best support acts have been - of the top of my head - Brendan Benson supporting Beth Orton, Sweden's Soundtrack Of Our Lives supporting Kula Shaker, and the mighty Australian rockers You Am I supporting Evan Dando and then again supporting the Vines. They really should be huge!

As I plough thru' my reggae purchases, I found myself wondering about the above, seemingly always 2nd on the bill at the Hammersmith Odeon of the mid 70s. I especially liked their version of Diana Ross' "Little Girl, Don't Wait for Me".
And other oft forgot names, where can I find a copy of anything by Starry Eyed and Laughing, an early 70s jangly guitar group, so called, I think, because of their love of the Byrds, that being (am I right, or is it Dylan?) a line from a Byrds (or Dylan) song, and the fact that they had an old 12 string Rickenbacker of Roger McGuinns.
Post script re reggae: the Aswad CD is crappy beyond compare. How dare Island include them in their Reggae Greats alongside Black Uhuru, Culture, Augustus Pablo, 3rd World, Toots and the Maytals etc. At least Steel Pulse can hold the UK end up with pride in such company.

Soft spot for Present Arms, though. It was something quite different in 1980 or whenever, and unspoilt by their then lack of much competence. An example of musical progression dampening enthusiasm and ideas, as demonstrated by their current role as the Status Quo*/Showaddywaddy of reggae.
*Another example of how the mighty have fallen into self-parody

I remember them well. Zigzag magazine used to plug them a lot. The band name is from Dylan's Chimes Of Freedom (which the Byrds covered on Mr Tambourine Man). I'm not sure if they even made 2 albums before splitting, but my girlfriend at the time was a fan and had an album. Both are remembered fondly.
On UB40 I quite liked Present Arms, but it was at best treading water after Signing Off. Looking back the descent into torpor began here.

I was lucky enough to be at Leeds Poly at the right time in the mid 70's. Therefore I got to see...

The Clash & The Damned supporting the Sex Pistols
The Jam supporting The Stanglers
Talking Heads supporting The Ramones
Dire Straits supporting Talking Heads

and up the road at Leeds Uni...
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers supporting Nils Lofgrin

Oh and at Bradford Uni...
Third on the bill to Rockpile and The Fabulous Thunderbirds was surprise act The Horace Batchelor Experience. Or Elvis Costello & The Attractions to those in the know

Apparently there was some Merseybeat band on after Brenda