In the world of drum ‘n’ bass, dubstep, and bass music festivals, success often comes from striking the right balance between star power and homegrown talent. Pairing international headliners with strong local support acts can create a win-win scenario, enhancing the festival experience for artists and audiences alike. With top-tier artist fees soaring (www.iqmagazine.com), savvy festival producers are embracing their role as cultural curators by spotlighting emerging talent alongside the big names (www.iqmagazine.com). This blueprint explores how thoughtfully combining headliners and local acts – and treating them equitably – can lift both parties and the entire event to new heights.
Pair International Headliners with Complementary Local Talent
A well-curated lineup ensures that local support acts complement the headliner’s BPM and tone. For bass music events, this means matching the energy and style of the opener to the main act. If a headliner is a high-energy dubstep DJ (~140 BPM) known for heavy drops, a local opener with a gritty bass sound can set the stage with a consistent vibe. Likewise, at a drum & bass festival (around 170–174 BPM), pairing an international act with a skilled local D&B selector maintains momentum and keeps the crowd engaged from the start. The key is to create a coherent musical journey – not jarring genre jumps – so the audience stays in the groove.
Research and communication are crucial. Festival organizers should brief local DJs on the headliner’s style and ensure no one is stepping on each other’s toes. Avoiding duplicate track selections or clashing tempos is just professional courtesy. As one seasoned DJ put it, openers can absolutely energize the crowd “provided that they’ve researched the headliners they’re opening for and aren’t playing any of the tracks [the headliner is]playing” (djrankings.org). In practice, this might mean a local act in Mexico City tailoring their set to flow into a UK headliner’s finale, or a rising bass producer in Sydney building anticipation for an international star. By complementing the headliner’s tone rather than competing with it, local supports help create an immersive atmosphere that lifts the entire show.
Equal Stage Treatment: Sound Checks and Tech Support for All
Nothing undermines a great set like technical issues or subpar sound quality. Every act – local or international – deserves meaningful sound checks and equal tech support. Too often, only the headliner gets a thorough soundcheck while openers get a rushed line-check during changeover (gearspace.com). Some engineers even admit to dialing back an opener’s volume so the headliner feels louder by comparison (www.harmonycentral.com). Such practices may protect the headliner’s impact, but they do a disservice to local talent and the audience who came early. Instead, festival producers should allocate adequate time for locals to test their gear, run a proper soundcheck, and fine-tune monitor levels. Treat their tech riders with the same attention as the headliner’s – whether it’s ensuring the turntables don’t feedback or the microphones are tuned for a vocalist – so that the first beat of the night sounds just as crisp as the last.
Providing equal tech support isn’t just about fairness; it raises the quality bar for the whole event. When a local support act in Berlin or Singapore goes on stage confident in the sound, they can perform their best, warming up the dancefloor effectively. Headliners benefit too – they inherit a crowd that’s already buzzing from a great-sounding opener, rather than one frustrated by audio hiccups. The audience, meanwhile, enjoys a seamless sonic experience from opening act to main event. In short, great production values for all performers translate to a better festival for everyone. The gesture also shows respect for local artists’ professionalism, which in turn fosters loyalty and a positive reputation for the festival within the artist community.
Shared Spotlight: Promotion and Press for Local Acts
Big-name headliners often steal the spotlight in marketing, but empowering local support with promotional assets and press opportunities can amplify a festival’s reach. Include the local DJs and bands prominently on your event posters, flyers, and social media announcements – not just in fine print. Provide them with personalized promo graphics (featuring their name alongside the headliner and festival branding) that they can share with their followers. This not only boosts the event’s visibility (since local artists will eagerly promote a show they’re in), but it also signals that the festival values its entire lineup.
Engaging press opportunities are equally important. Invite local media to cover the event with an angle on the homegrown talent playing alongside international stars. For example, a local newspaper in Auckland or Jakarta might run a story on “Hometown DJ to open for [Headliner] at upcoming festival,” giving free publicity to the event and a confidence boost to the local artist. Feature local support in festival press releases and blog posts – perhaps a short interview or a DJ profile – to humanize the lineup. Festival producers in the UK, USA, India or anywhere can attest that when local communities see one of their own onstage, it drives interest and attendance. By giving locals a share of the spotlight, you’re not only promoting the individuals but also tapping into their fan base and networks, which can significantly widen your promotional reach.
Measuring the Impact: Dwell Time and Audience Engagement
How can you tell if your headliner+local support strategy is working? One indicator is audience dwell time – essentially, how early people arrive and how long they stick around. A well-chosen local opener can be the difference between a half-empty venue during the first hour and a packed house eager from the get-go. Watch your entry scan data and crowd flow: if attendees are showing up before the headliner, that’s a win. Modern event ticketing platforms (like Ticket Fairy) offer analytics that let festival organizers track peak entry times and set attendance. Use these tools to correlate upticks in early attendance with specific local acts on the bill.
Another metric is return intent – how likely attendees are to come back for your next festival or show. Gathering feedback via post-event surveys or analyzing repeat ticket purchases can reveal which aspects of the night made the strongest impression. For instance, attendees might rave about how great the opening act was, or comment that the entire night felt cohesive and energized from start to finish. A standout local support act can significantly increase audience satisfaction, which in turn boosts loyalty to your brand. One bass festival in Oregon, for example, leans heavily on local talent and expects those artists to bring their own community of fans (magneticmag.com). That built-in support network not only fills up the dancefloor; it also creates an atmosphere where attendees feel connected – they’re not just fans of a fly-in headliner, they’re part of the local scene’s celebration. When people feel that sense of community, they’re more likely to come back again (and tell their friends). Tracking who or what keeps the crowd engaged will inform your future bookings and marketing, allowing you to replicate what works.
From Opening Act to Future Headliner: Re-booking and Nurturing Talent
The final piece of the blueprint is continuity. When a local support act proves they can hold a floor, re-book them for future events. Think of your festival’s lineup curation as cultivating a garden of talent – if a particular local artist blossoms on stage, don’t hesitate to bring them back. Perhaps next time they move up the timeslot, or get a slot on a bigger stage. By rewarding strong performers with repeat bookings, you not only strengthen your event’s reliability (fans love knowing that a favorite local will be back), but you also build goodwill in the artist community. Many renowned bass music artists started as local openers who seized their moment. Consistently supporting them can accelerate their growth; in some cases, today’s opening DJ could be tomorrow’s headliner.
There’s also a symbiotic benefit to rebooking proven locals. They develop a deeper understanding of your event’s crowds and logistics over time, becoming polished “resident” talents who can anchor a night. Each successful set builds their reputation and the festival’s credibility for showcasing quality music. In one striking example, a Mumbai DJ opened for a visiting international act and so impressed the headliner that she was invited to perform overseas (timesofindia.indiatimes.com). Such stories inspire other local artists and show that your events are launching pads for bigger opportunities. Even when international headliners draw the ticket sales, it’s the nurturing of local heroes that creates a sustainable scene. Over the years, a stable of reliable local support acts will become a pillar of your festival brand, ensuring you’re never solely dependent on chasing the next big headliner.
Key Takeaways
- Match Styles Thoughtfully: Always pair headliners with local support that complements their genre, BPM, and vibe, keeping the musical journey smooth and cohesive.
- Equal Treatment on Stage: Give local acts the same quality of soundcheck and technical support as headliners. Great sound from the start boosts the experience for everyone.
- Boost Local Visibility: Provide local artists with promotional materials and press coverage. Featuring them in marketing taps into their fan base and shows you value all talent on the lineup.
- Monitor Engagement: Track attendance patterns (dwell time) and audience feedback. Early-arriving crowds and positive responses indicate your headliner+local formula is working, improving the odds that fans will return.
- Invest in Proven Talent: Rebook local acts that prove they can hold a floor. Bringing back strong performers builds a loyal following and can turn openers into future headliners, strengthening your festival’s reputation.
17th September 2025