Many fans wonder whether BTS has featured an opening act on their world tours and smaller showcases. The short answer is yes, especially on larger stadium tours where BTS has invited local and international artists to open shows in specific cities.
This article explains how BTS has used opening acts, when and why they choose them, and what this means for concert ticket buyers and setlist flow.
| Event | Typical Role of Opening Act | Example Acts | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTS Permission to Dance on Stage | No opening act; BTS performed as the sole headliner | None | Global |
| BTS Map of the Soul ON:E | Limited local openers on selected dates | Kim Ki-bum, other regional artists | South Korea |
| BTS Love Yourself: Speak Yourself | Selected European warm-up shows with local openers | Monsta X, The Boyz | Europe |
| BTS Permission to Dance on Stage – LA | One-off local artist featured before main show | Taeyang | Los Angeles, USA |
BTS Concert Structure on Major Tours
On signature tours such as Love Yourself and Permission to Dance on Stage, BTS typically performed as the sole main act, with no formal opening segment for most dates. When opening acts were used, they appeared only on selected regional dates to build local excitement and fit venue timing constraints.
Why BTS Chooses an Opening Act
BTS uses an opening act strategically on tours where local partnerships make sense, such as Love Yourself in Europe. The goal is often to introduce new audiences to the BTS ecosystem, extend the show runtime, and leverage local artists who resonate with that specific market.
- Build excitement for the headliner with a rising regional act
- Fill set time constraints at venues with early curfews
- Strengthen local partnerships and community ties
- Offer diverse musical flavors before the main spectacle
Opening Acts by Region and Tour
Different tours and cities have seen different artists open for BTS, ranging from Monsta X and The Boyz to surprise appearances by Taeyang. These choices often reflect label relationships, genre balance, and geographic relevance.
| Tour | Region | Opening Acts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Love Yourself: Speak Yourself | Europe | Monsta X, The Boyz | Selected stadium and outdoor shows |
| Map of the Soul ON:E | South Korea | Kim Ki-bum and local artists | Online and limited offline performances |
| Permission to Dance on Stage – LA | Los Angeles, USA | Taeyang | Special guest opening segment |
| Permission to Dance on Stage – Global | Various | None (BTS only) | Stadium-focused format with no formal opener |
Setlist and Flow Implications
When BTS does use an opening act, the concert structure shifts to accommodate a seamless transition. The opening segment typically runs under thirty minutes, followed by a short break, then BTS takes the stage to deliver their full production experience without interruption.
Key Takeaways on BTS Opening Acts
- BTS headlined most large-scale tours without an opening act
- Select regional shows featured carefully chosen local artists as openers
- Opening segments helped meet venue runtime requirements
- Fan experience remained focused on BTS with smooth handoffs
FAQ
Reader questions
Did any BTS members perform as an opening act for another artist?
Certain BTS members have appeared as featured performers rather than formal opening acts for other headliners, such as solo stages at year-end ceremonies, but these are not standard opening slots on major tours.
Were there opening acts for BTS online concerts during Map of the Soul ON:E?
The online version of Map of the Soul ON:E did not include a separate opening act, as the show was structured as a direct BTS performance with pre-produced segments instead of multiple live acts.
Why did some shows in Europe have Monsta X or The Boyz as openers?
These selections were tied to specific venue and timing requirements on the Love Yourself: Speak Yourself European leg, where longer setlists and local partnerships made an opening act necessary.
Do ticket buyers always pay extra for shows with an opening act?
Ticket pricing typically remains consistent across an itinerary for a given tour, even when local openers differ, because BTS ticket tiers and seating categories determine cost rather than the opening segment.