Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe are two of the biggest rock bands to come out of the 1980s glam metal scene. This summer, they are embarking on a massive joint tour across North America titled “The World Tour.” With two legends sharing the stage each night, fans are excited to see supporting acts that can properly warm up the crowd. So who exactly will be opening the show each night? There are actually four supporting rock acts that will be opening on different legs of the tour.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
The first supporting act on the bill is Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. They will be opening the first 21 shows of the tour from June to July. Joan Jett rose to fame in the 1970s as the guitarist and frontwoman of the groundbreaking female rock band The Runaways before embarking on a successful solo career. She is known for hits like “I Love Rock N Roll,” “Crimson and Clover,” and “Bad Reputation.” With her hard rocking swagger and rebellious attitude, Joan Jett is the perfect choice to pump up audiences each night before Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe take the stage. She remains a highly influential figure in rock music today. At the age of 64, Joan continues to tour regularly with energy and passion. The Blackhearts is the name of the backing band that has supported Joan in her solo career since the early 1980s. Expect them to deliver a high energy set each night filled with Joan’s biggest hits and fan favorites.
Poison
The second supporting act on the tour is the glam metal band Poison. They will be opening dates from July through September. Poison rose to fame in the 1980s Sunset Strip scene in Los Angeles, selling over 45 million records worldwide. Their major hits include “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Talk Dirty To Me,” and “Nothin’ But A Good Time.” While Poison have gone through lineup changes over the years, the current incarnation consists of original members Bret Michaels (lead vocals), Rikki Rockett (drums), and C.C. DeVille (guitar) along with bassist Bobby Dall. With big hair, flamboyant fashion, and catchy party anthems, Poison perfectly encapsulated the excess and fun of 1980s glam metal. Their opening sets on this tour will surely get audiences excited with their upbeat hits and remind everyone why Poison became such massive stars. Expect them to put on an entertainment spectacle each night.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Again)
As the tour heads into Fall, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will return as openers for the second leg from September through October. While audiences saw them earlier in the summer, Joan Jett is such a beloved figure that fans will be thrilled to have her back rocking stages again. Her music has enduring appeal and it will be exciting to see her open things up once more with her signature brand of hearty punk-infused rock and roll. Joan Jett is an ideal artist to open for Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, as her own career has garnered just as much critical acclaim and commercial success.
Classless Act
The fourth and final supporting act on the tour is the up-and-coming Los Angeles rock band Classless Act. They will be opening the final set of dates from October through September. Classless Act consists of vocalist Derek Day, guitarists Nate Freese and Saul Ilarraza, bassist Franco Gravante, and drummer Zac Morris. Signed to Better Noise Music, they have been mentored by Mötley Crüe and received guidance from the band in developing their sound and style. Classless Act channel the punk spirit and theatricality of the 80s Sunset Strip scene, while also putting their own modern spin on things. Singles like “Classless Act” and “Give It To Me” demonstrate their knack for writing catchy, energized rock anthems with a youthful edge. As rising stars who have drawn comparisons to bands like Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses, Classless Act are the perfect choice to open the show and display the enduring influences of the glam metal genre. It will be exciting to watch this talented group of young rockers pump up the audience each night.
Full List of Opening Acts
Opening Act | Tour Dates |
---|---|
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts | June 16 – July 17 |
Poison | July 19 – September 9 |
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts | September 11 – October 8 |
Classless Act | October 10 – November 18 |
Set Lengths
While supporting acts generally perform shortened sets compared to the headliners, here are the approximate expected set length times for each opener:
- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – 45 to 60 minutes
- Poison – 60 to 75 minutes
- Classless Act – 30 to 45 minutes
So concertgoers can expect a substantial rocking warm-up from each group before Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe take over the rest of the night.
Song Samples From Each Act
To give a sampling of what each opening act brings to the table, here are some songs fans can expect to hear:
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
- “Bad Reputation”
- “Cherry Bomb” (The Runaways cover)
- “I Love Rock N’ Roll”
- “Crimson and Clover”
- “Light of Day”
- “I Hate Myself For Loving You”
Poison
- “Talk Dirty To Me”
- “Unskinny Bop”
- “Something To Believe In”
- “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”
- “Ride the Wind”
- “Nothin’ But A Good Time”
Classless Act
- “Classless Act”
- “Give It To Me”
- “Watch It Burn”
- “This is for You”
- “Kick Back”
So concert attendees can look forward to a packed lineup of rock hits and musical variety over the course of each show. While styles may differ between the 1980s icon status of Joan Jett and Poison to the modern take of upstarts Classless Act, the openers all share an energetic spirit that will get audiences pumped up for the main event.
How the Opening Acts Complement Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe
What makes the four supporting acts on “The World Tour” such a smart selection is how they each complement headliners Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe. As icons of glam metal from the same era as Poison, Mötley Crüe will feel like touring alongside old friends, while Poison’s anthemic pop-metal hits should go over extremely well with Crüe fans. Joan Jett, while coming more from the punk/hard rock angle, is an influencer of the glam metal genre and her bad girl power and attitude mesh perfectly. Finally, Classless Act gives a taste of new blood and youth to appeal to younger rock fans, while honoring the genre’s ’80s roots.
Another way the openers represent good synergy is how both Joan Jett and Classless Act offer some female representation on a tour fronted by two male-centric bands. And of course, all four acts just love performing high energy rock music, which should beautifully set the stage for the Pyromania of Def Leppard and Shout at the Devil mayhem of Mötley Crüe each night.
How Well Songs May Flow from Opener to Headliner
When it comes to the actual transition from support act to headliner each show, fans can expect some incredible flow between songs as the rock assault continues all night. Here are just a few cool examples of how one song could lead right into the next:
- Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself For Loving You” into Def Leppard’s “Love Bites”
- Poison’s “Fallen Angel” into Mötley Crüe’s “Shout at the Devil”
- Classless Act’s “Watch It Burn” into Def Leppard’s “Photograph”
- Joan Jett’s “Fake Friends” into Mötley Crüe’s “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away”)
The creative opportunities for one song to blend right into another are endless, which will really make the whole night feel like one huge, cohesive rock show.
How Seeing the Openers Leads into the Headliner’s Hits
Hearing the supporting acts also allows fans to connect the dots on how those influential bands paved the way for Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe. Joan Jett and Poison getting audiences fired up with their own smash hits allows Def Leppard’s classics like “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and “Rock of Ages” to feel even bigger. Similarly, Mötley Crüe staples like “Dr. Feelgood”, “Girls, Girls,Girls” and “Kickstart My Heart” become enhanced when fans are already rocking out to the sounds of the Sunset Strip era from Poison and Joan Jett. The journey of appreciating the openers allows the headliners’ extensive hit catalogs to resonate even more.
Preparing Audiences for a High Energy Show
Another benefit of this multi-act lineup is that it really prepares audiences for the high energy arena concert spectacular they are about to witness with Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe. By getting concertgoers on their feet and banging their heads from the start with Joan Jett, Poison, and Classless Act, the opening sets bring up the energy level naturally so it flows into the electric main event. The public is already rocking out long before the legends even take the stage. It builds anticipation and momentum so that fans are truly ready to be blown away by the headliners and their elaborate stage productions. The supporting acts provide that perfect warm-up routine.
Costumes and Attire
One extra element of fun on this tour will be seeing the different rock fashion styles between all the acts. Joan Jett has her signature badass leather jacket and pants look; Poison the glam/hair metal teased hair, colorful outfits, and outrageous accessories; and Classless Act the modern take on Sunset Strip apparel. Of course Mötley Crüe will bring their wild, scandalous outfits out in full force while Def Leppard always puts together a classy rock look. So the tour will be a rock and roll fashion circus that really takes audiences back through different eras and trends. It’s another cool way the supporting acts help distinguish the headliners when they finally come onstage in their own signature wardrobe.
Overall Impact
It’s an absolute dream lineup for any glam metal and hard rock fan. The fact that Joan Jett, Poison, and Classless Act were chosen as opening acts demonstrates that this tour was thoughtfully curated to represent the genre’s history and future. While supporting bands often come and go, these particular artists feel like family to Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, which should make each show that much more special. Expect surprise collaborations, guest appearances, and cover songs to happen too. By the end of the night, audiences will have gone through a wild rock and roll time machine, appreciating how these bands have impacted one another through the years. Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe are still on top because they built upon the foundation of punk and glam rock pioneers like Joan Jett. Poison kept the LA rock party going strong through the ’80s. And now Classless Act is poised to inspire future generations with their high-octane shows. It all ties together beautifully on “The World Tour” and creates an unforgettable night of raucous entertainment.
Conclusion
Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe are absolutely legendary rock bands who put on spectacular live shows filled with their endless hit songs and electrifying performances. While the two headliners need no introduction, having supporting acts like Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Poison, and Classless Act opening the concerts adds an extra layer of variety and fun for audiences. Concertgoers get to delve deeper into the genres and eras these bands represent. It ultimately enhances the entire live show experience, warming up crowds with high energy sets before Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe deliver their epic stage spectacles. For both longtime fans and newcomers, this is surely a dream team rock and roll lineup not to be missed this summer. “The World Tour” will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable and fan-friendly rock extravaganzas ever assembled.