Overview of the Foo Fighters 2018 Tour Openers
The Foo Fighters 2018 tour opening act roster varied by region, featuring a mix of established alternative and indie artists who supported the band across key markets. Headlining the run with their tenth studio album, Concrete and Gold, Foo Fighters presented multi-act lineups that emphasized momentum and broad appeal. This overview lists the primary opening acts confirmed for that tour cycle, noting dates where relevant to clarify which artists appeared at which shows and markets.
Confirmed Main Opening Acts
Across the 2018 legs in North America, Europe, and Oceania, Foo Fighters commonly featured the following acts as primary openers:
| Opening Act | Region / Period | Notable Context |
|---|---|---|
| The Wild Feathers | North America (selected 2018 dates) | Americana-inflected rock band known for vocal harmonies. |
| Joy Williams | North America (select dates) | Solo artist with a strong indie-folk and pop sensibility. |
| The Sherlocks | UK and European dates | British indie rock band with a guitar-driven sound. |
| Bloc Party | UK and select European shows | Post-punk and alternative dance act with a long touring history. |
| Dead Sons | UK festival and arena dates | UK rock group with a robust live presence. |
Regional Lineup Variations
Opening acts changed depending on geography and venue size. In North America, festivals and larger arenas often featured two rotating openers to match the extended set times, while European stadium and arena runs emphasized British and continental acts that resonated with local audiences. These selections reflected both musical compatibility and regional preferences, ensuring the support slots felt cohesive with Foo Fighters’ hard-rocking yet melody-forward approach.
North American Context
On the U.S. and Canadian legs, promoters typically paired Foo Fighters with one or two complementary alternative acts per night. The Wild Feathers and Joy Williams often split dates, allowing fans to encounter a spectrum of styles from heartland rock to intimate singer-songwriter fare. This approach maintained high energy levels leading into the main set while introducing audiences to emerging voices in the rock and folk circuits.
European and UK Context
In the United Kingdom and continental Europe, the choice of opening act leaned toward established regional bands with proven draw. The Sherlocks and Bloc Party were particularly prominent, aligning with Foo Fighters’ audience demographics and venue capacities. These acts brought a shared guitar-centric vocabulary that translated well in arenas and festivals, from Reading and Leeds to Berlin and Paris.
How the 2018 Roster Compared to Previous Tours
Compared to earlier tours, the 2018 openers leaned more heavily on transatlantic familiarity, reflecting Foo Fighters’ strategy of balancing marquee names with acts that could convert in specific regions. Earlier cycles sometimes featured up-and-comers or one-off collaborations, whereas 2018 emphasized repeatable names with established touring credentials. The result was a lineup that felt both safe for promoters and coherent for fans across diverse markets.
Setlist and Flow Considerations
Supporting a band like Foo Fighters requires pacing and volume control. Openers typically delivered 30- to 45-minute sets designed to heat up the crowd without exhausting it before the headliner. Key elements included strong vocal hooks, a mix of uptempo and midtempo tracks, and at least one anthemic closer that segued smoothly into Foo Fighters’ first song. This structure helped maintain energy across long arena and stadium shows.
Fan Reactions and Reception
Audience responses varied by opener and location. In regions where The Wild Feathers or Joy Williams were relatively unknown, some fans sought out their music beforehand; in the UK, The Sherlocks and Bloc Party often drew immediate recognition. Overall, the 2018 tour was noted for cohesive lineups that reinforced Foo Fighters’ reputation for delivering well-curated, high-energy events from start to finish.
Summary of Key Opening Acts for 2018
The Foo Fighters 2018 tour opening act lineup was regionally tailored but consistently strong, blending American indie rock and British guitar bands to maintain momentum and broaden appeal. The primary openers featured a mix of styles and career stages, anchored by proven touring partners and locale-specific picks that aligned with venue size and audience expectations.