Columnist Spencer Patterson: For openers, let’s get the show started

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Nov. 15, 2002 | 9:34 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers music for the Las Vegas Sun. His music column apperas every Friday. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or at (702) 259-2309.Tuesdays.

What a difference an opening act can make.

That might sound ridiculous to music fans who might consider an opener to be little more than an inconvenience before the featured attraction.

But a quick look back at The Strokes' two Las Vegas appearances this year confirms that an opening act can make or break a headliners' chances of winning over its audience.

In January, The Strokes played the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Indie rock band Longwave opened the show in fine form before giving way to one Har Mar Superstar.

The novelty act -- which featured the self-proclaimed Superstar performing karaoke style, unleashing expletive-laced barbs at the crowd and stripping to his underwear -- did not go over well. Some booed Har Mar; others threw things, and by the time The Strokes came out, the energy had ebbed from the building.

The result? A Strokes show that was somewhat lackluster. The House of Blues audience's relative indifference seemed to rub off on the headlining band, as The Strokes played a short 45-minute set that left many fans less than thrilled.

Fast forward nine months, to last Saturday's Strokes show at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. This time, the bill also featured three acts, but a well-considered order of appearance made a world of difference.

Indie folkster Adam Green opened with a short, comedy-infused acoustic set that easily surpassed Har Mar's childis amount of time. Then, 21-year-old rocker Ben Kweller played for 40 minutes, wowing the crowd and setting the table for The Strokes.

Before Kweller's energetic performance ended, even a lone holdout near the back of the room seemed to comprehend he was witnessing an artist who could soon be headlining such shows, desisting with his loud cries of "Last song!" for the final few numbers.

When The Strokes came out, the room was buzzing, and the band fed off the crowd's enthusiasm, looking and sounding as if they actually wanted to be in Las Vegas.

Often the subject of ridicule, opening acts have been a significant component of the Las Vegas concert scene of late. In recent months, the city has played host to such solid openers as the Liars and Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion), moe. (Robert Plant), the Roots, Los Lobos, Spearhead and the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra (Trey Anastasio), Jackson Browne (Tom Petty) and Rascal Flatts (Toby Keith), just to name a few.

Music notes

Instrumental genius: Two instrumental greats bring their acts to Las Vegas this weekend: jazz guitarist Pat Metheny and new age pianist George Winston.

Metheny is on the road with his Pat Metheny Group, a six-piece electric combo built around the interplay between its leader and keyboardist, Lyle Mays. The group's latest album, "Speaking of Now," has drawn critical acclaim since its February release.

Metheny plays tonight at 7 at the House of Blues. Tickets are $30, $50 and $50.

Winston, who has recorded more than a dozen albums for new age label Windham Hill, is touring behind "Night Divides the Day: The Music of The Doors." The October release features solo piano renditions of 13 Doors' classics, including "People Are Strange," "Light My Fire" and "Riders on the Storm."

Winston performs Sunday at 4 p.m. at Artemus Ham Hall at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Tickets are $22 and $29.50.

Hip-hop postponement: Saturday's scheduled "KLUC All Star Hip Hop Jam IV" concert has been postponed indefinitely by promoters, Thomas & Mack spokeswoman Windy Lawson said.

The show, slated to feature popular rap acts such as Eve, Scarface and Trick Daddy, will be rescheduled, Lawson said. Ticket holders can either keep their tickets for the rescheduled show or return them to their original point of purchase.

For information, call 739-3267.

Quick hits

A look at a few other shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:

Veteran heavy metal band Dio, featuring former Black Sabbath and Rainbow frontman Ronnie James Dio, headlines a three-band bill at House of Blues Saturday night at 6:30. King's X and Hammerfall open. Tickets are $25, $30 and $35.

Latin pop act Sin Bandera plays an all-ages show Thursday night at 7:30 at the House of Blues. The duo released its eponymous debut album in July. Tickets are $35 and $40.

Longtime country-pop performer Anne Murray opens a seven-night stand at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre on Thursday. The shows, which continue through Nov. 27, all begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are $49.50.

On sale

Tickets for Yes' Dec. 3 show at The Joint go on sale Saturday at noon. Tickets are $43, $53, $73 and $103 and will be available at the Hard Rock Hotel, at Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 474-4000.

Tickets for the Pretenders' Feb. 22 show at the House of Blues go on sale Saturday at noon. Tickets are $40 and $60 and will be available at the House of Blues, at Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 474-4000.