Support band wants to take our headline spot?

[Verzila]

What do you all think about this?

We're booked to play a gig at a known venue in town (Beijing). We're a new-ish band and are starting to build up our presence. The venue has put us on the bill with a band that we don't know, but similar style of music as us, and from their write up for the gig, they're as new as we are.
We are booked to headline the gig, but we just got a message from the other band asking if they can headline instead of us. They say they "come from a large hockey community in Beijing of hundreds of people. Being their first show at (venue), a lot of that community will be attending to show their support to the newly formed band, and get into a lot of drinks. It would be great to have (the other band) perform second in the set to keep the crowd there for the entirety of the show. I think (our band) would enjoy the volume of people we're bringing into the audience and also the exposure to a wide range of the expat community we are bringing."

I'm not sure if I buy it - the whole "it will be great exposure for you" sounds a bit iffy. Easy for them to say they're bring all these people but who knows? And if they do headline, what's to stop their crowd turning up later when their band goes on stage? If they go on first and we headline surely their crowd will turn up early to see them - do we believe that they'll all leave early once they've seen their band, if they're truly going to "get into a lot of drinks"?

Anyway, grateful for thoughts

 

[985plowboy]

Say no thanks

 

[omahaaudio]

Uh... No...

 

[ricknbaker]

No. Mind you, we were once offered to either headline at a university gig, or come back a week later to support this unknown band called The Police... We chose to headline.

 

[runstendt]

I personally would not accept their offer. As mentioned above, it's more likely that their fans will stay after they are done playing than come early to watch an opening act. Besides, anytime someone mentions playing for "exposure" is good enough cause for me to turn a gig down. It's amazing how many people don't seem to understand that I can't fill my tank or buy lunch with "exposure bucks".

 

[stormsedge]

"No"

 

[Cloodie]

No. Mind you, we were once offered to either headline at a university gig, or come back a week later to support this unknown band called The Police... We chose to headline.

The correct decision. A band with such a stupid name is clearly going nowhere.

 

[Solaris moon]

The correct decision. A band with such a stupid name is clearly going nowhere.

I know - right?! With that name and songs like this how did they ever become famous?

 

[4pickupguy]

Both bands just starting out, playing in front of a lot of people. The only thing that really matters is which band performs the best. You stand to lose your audience or gain theirs. If either band sucks they’ll chase the crowd off. Strategically, I’d ask to go on first.

 

[teletail]

Two new bands arguing over who will be the “headliner” is like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog.

 

[Festofish]

Its a job and you accepted. Terms are done.

 

[StuH]

Easy peasy ..........
"No you can't steal our thunder!"
Since they are a local favorite, they will draw in the fans regardless.

Since when did the Chinese get into ice hockey?

 

[Engine Swap]

n.o.p.e.

 

[Kandinskyesque]

I wouldn't turn down the chance to headline, the effort the nerves and the occasion is worth a dozen rehearsals.
It says a lot about the ego of the other band to ask in the first place.

My band in the 90s had The Fratellis support us in one of their early gigs, bands in their early stages should be building alliances instead of throwing their weight around.

 

[aFewGoodTaters]

Honestly, does it really even matter if you play first or second? Sounds like you're both brand new bands. The venue probably isn't considering it as 'opening act vs headliner' anyway. Just two time slots to fill.

I'd probably take them up on it as now days I prefer to pack up earlier and get a good night's sleep! Plus, if they really are promoting and planning to bring a whole gang of people out, the majority of their crowd will likely see at least that last half or quarter of your set. Trust me, it's not fun as a new band when playing the multi-band night and the previous group brings out all their friends and family...and you watch all those people file out by the time you launch into your second tune.

 

[radiocaster]

No. Mind you, we were once offered to either headline at a university gig, or come back a week later to support this unknown band called The Police... We chose to headline.

Was it when they were a punk band, or later?

 

[Eddiebaby1]

I'd make them an offer involving sex and travel.

 

[Old Deaf Roadie]

It's the headliner's show. Tell them what time they are expected and if they are late, they don't play.

 

[sax4blues]

When my son was playing to high school and young twenties crowd the lineup was usually 4-6 bands. Of course it was a big deal which band was the headline, which meant last to play. As an adult in the room what I observed is the biggest crowd was at the next to last band, as by the time the "headline" came on many early people had left. We talked about this and they decided to start arraigning to be 2nd or even 3rd from last even when they became very popular.

 

[Togman]

Surely the decision rests with whoever is paying for the bands?