What goes into choosing an opening band for a tour? Sometimes, with a smaller headliner, the opener is a local band chosen to open in each city. Sometimes they are label mates; sometimes just friends of the band. However they’re chosen, a good opener makes for a great show. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen great bands with lousy openers, but I can easily recollect the packages that made for a great show all night long.

Here’s a new one, though: Anti-Flag is letting its fans choose the band’s upcoming tour mates.

At this time, they’ve taken nominations and assembled the 32 most popular, setting them up into brackets. Now, one round at a time, they’ll be hosting polls, band vs. band, until one champion stands.

You can also get into the fun by plotting out the brackets and registering your picks, entering them for some wicked-sweet prizes.

Take a look at the brackets here, and get ready to vote. Who’s your favorite? Personally I’m indecisive as of yet, as the choices range from the Dropkick Murphys to the Casualties. There’s a wide range of sounds on there; and one needs to be cognizant of who’d make a good match up. Granted, NOFX would be fun, but maybe Rise Against is a better pairing with Anti-Flag.

Photo © Nicole Lucas