Phosphorescent - How To Be Your Own Opener 101

By: Sophia Vorhauer-Rubalcave

Almost endless aspects go into a tour, from managers to transportation to quite literally every expense under the sun. However, perhaps the most daunting, yet important Is: the opener. 

You must pick the right band that fits you just right, and would add to your tour rather than take away from it. It takes a ton of work, and 95% of the time, something falls apart. Phosphorescent threw that out the window.

It's poetically ironic to be your own opener. But Phosphorescent, otherwise known as Matthew Houck, did it. There he sat on stage, his lone guitar, empty vacant instruments littered around him waiting to be played by the members of Houcks touring band. 

Phosphorescent has a unique sound, almost retro in a yacht rock sense. I'd describe it as a mix between Gregory Alan Isakov, Jimmy Buffett, and the Doobie Brothers (Jimmy Buffett definitely comes out during live performances). Laurel Canyon, 1970's, laid back west coast, all of it wrapped up in one singular modern artist. It may be my bias towards 70's west coast rock but their artistry absolutely blows me away. Phosphorescents ‘opening’ set consisted of Houck acoustically singing through his old catalog of music dating back to the early 2000's before leaving the stage to return with his band, heading into his newer works in his headlining set, mainly the 2024 album Revelator. 

For an audience there for him, they were near silent during the opening set. You could hear the register at the bar of the Gothic from the stage. It was perplexing, the audience knew these songs, they were here for Phosphorescent. So, why weren't they singing, at least humming along? Maybe it was the fact that he was opening for his own set, being his own opener, or perhaps it was the quiet simplicity of only Houck up on the stage with a guitar and a microphone. While it tended to feel eerie at times, it was rather peaceful. 

It all comes down to this: Some people buy tickets to concerts just to see the opener. They are rarities, but personally are my favorite kind of concert goer. They ooze dedication and admiration for their favorite opening artists by showing up and supporting them where others would tune them out. 

In a way, Houck found a loophole that turned everyone in the crowd into that concert goer. It's something I've never seen in my entire career, and something I doubt I'll ever witness again.