GoW-Article 1

GoW-Article 1 Road Scholars, Guitar Magazine, March '98

Before the Clash, Metallica, and Smashing Pumpkins became rock titans, each braved huge fanatical crowds eager to see...well, the other bands they were opening up for. Throughout last autumn, Third Eye Blind took this route, warming up for U2 and the Rolling Stones, and sometimes switching from one band to the other on a nightly basis. Guitarist Kevin Cadogan shared his recently acquired wisdom on the challenges of opening for mega-acts and playing large venues.

How did you get the gig with U2?

Well, believe it or not, they heard our record. I think they were given 10 different CDs by an agency. They took an active role in getting us to open for them, so it's really flattering.

What lessons have you learned about playing large venues?

You have to make grand guestures when you're on a stage like that, because people are so far away. But those people are just seeing figures moving around on stage, they can't see expressions. You don't feel like you're scrutinized as much. So it's actually more relaxing to play in front of 50,000 people.

Is it a challenge playing for a crowd waiting to see U2 and the Stones?

Audiences have been very gracious, but I do see it as a kind of challenge. I know that they're not going to be throwing roses up at the stage, but at the same times, we know we can win people over.

What has been a turning point during these shows?

For the first few shows, I had in-ear monitors, so I could run around the whole stage. But you're not hearing what's coming through the house at all; you get this perfect reproduction of what's coming out of your amp. I started taking them out for the stadium shows, just so I could get a sense of what was going on around me and hear the notes bouncing of the back walls. That's amazing. When you have a solo and the mixer cranks you up, you can actually hear them bouncing off people's heads.-Jeffrey L. Perlah

[Main] [Articles] [Audio] [Facts] [Links] [Pictures] [Video] [Updates] [E-Mail]