We love the headliners. The artists with sold-out tours, chart-topping hits, and names that draw crowds in minutes. They’re at the top of the mountain, commanding attention and respect.

But here’s a reality check: every headliner was an opener at some point.

Every household name started on a small stage, warming up the crowd for someone else. Every legend of the industry was once just a name on the bottom of the poster.

And the way we treat artists on their way up the mountain says more about us than it does about them.

The Climb Isn’t Easy

Let’s not romanticize it: the climb to the top is brutal.

Opening acts play to half-empty rooms while fans grab drinks or talk over the music. They hustle for attention, juggling self-doubt and rejection along the way.

It’s easy to overlook them, to dismiss them as “not there yet.” But the truth is, every artist climbing the mountain is writing their future story — and you never know how it will turn out.

Why You Should Treat Every Artist With Respect

Here’s why it matters how you treat the artists still climbing:

1. The Industry is a Small World

Today’s opener could be tomorrow’s headliner. The intern at the label could be running it in a decade. Careers evolve, but reputations stick. If you dismiss or disrespect someone now, don’t be surprised when they remember it later.

2. Talent Takes Time

Greatness doesn’t happen overnight. The artists who are grinding, learning, and refining their craft today are building the skills and resilience they’ll need to succeed tomorrow. Don’t count them out because they haven’t “made it” yet.

3. You Were There Once, Too

Everyone starts somewhere. No matter where you are now, there was a time when you were learning, hustling, and hoping someone would take a chance on you. Remember that when you look at the next artist coming up.

How to Support Artists on Their Way Up

If you want to build meaningful relationships in the music industry, start by treating every artist with respect — no matter where they are in their journey. Here’s how:

1. Listen to the Openers

Don’t skip the opening act at a show. Give them your attention. Cheer them on. They might just surprise you — and even if they don’t, they’ll remember the support.

2. Offer Encouragement

A kind word goes a long way. Let an artist know you enjoyed their set, share their music, or simply acknowledge their effort. It costs you nothing, but it can mean the world to someone still finding their footing.

3. Collaborate Without Judging Status

Don’t base your willingness to work with someone on how big their name is. Focus on talent, drive, and connection. Some of the best collaborations come from unexpected pairings.

4. Stay Humble

Whether you’re at the top or somewhere in the middle, remember your own climb. No one gets there alone, and the support you give now can shape the future of the industry.

The Long View

The music industry is full of transformations. The unknown opener playing to a distracted crowd could be headlining festivals in five years. The artist you brush off today could be the one filling arenas tomorrow.

Treating every artist with respect isn’t just the decent thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do.

In Summary

Every headliner you love was once an opener. Every big name had to fight for their first chance.

So treat the artists climbing the mountain the same as the ones at the top.

Support them. Encourage them. Respect them.

Because you never know who their future self will become — and they won’t forget how you treated them along the way.