Meet the five opening acts for the Faith in the Future US Tour.

Louis Tomlinson just did something massive: announce the openers for the United States leg of his tour. This announcement, however, was major for five artists. Before now, they were smaller, up-and-coming artists in the scene. Now the ex-One Direction member is giving them the chance of a lifetime to shine on a massive tour. Haven’t heard of them? Here’s the lowdown.

The Academic

An indie rock four-piece from Ireland, The Adacemic are first up on the opener slot. Its members are vocalist and guitarist Craig Fitzgerald, brothers Matthew (guitar) and Stephen Murtagh (bass), and drummer Dean Gavin. Formed ten years ago, the band released their debut album five years into their career after a slew of singles and their debut EP. Their first album had success in their home country; going number one on the Irish albums chart and was met with favourable reviews. After scoring a record deal with Capitol Records, their sophomore album, Sitting Pretty, followed back in February of this year. Finishing their own US tour in support of the album, they will be opening for Louis from opening night through until the Milwaukee, WI stop.

The Snuts

Formed in Scotland in 2015, The Snuts are second up in the opener lineup. Formed while the members were in secondary school, they released their first single/demo a year after their formation. The band is comprised of lead singer Jack Cochrane, Joe McGillveray on guitar, bassist Callum ‘29’ Wilson, and Jordan ‘Joko’ Mackay on drums. Signing to Parlophone, the quartet released their debut album W.L. alongside a deluxe version. Their second album, Burn the Empire, was released in late 2022 to rave reviews. Inspired by alternative giants Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines, their music takes their influences to a new, refreshing level. They will embark on the tour in support of their album and will follow it up with headline dates in Australia. They will open starting in Chicago, IL through until Seattle, WA — rejoining the tour for its last three dates.

Giant Rooks

Hailing from Germany, Giant Rooks is an indie-rock five-piece formed in 2014. They have four extended plays under their belt, along with their debut album Rookery. Bedroom Exile, their latest single, is the most recent release in their catalogue. The band consists of lead singer Frederik Rabe, guitarist Finn Schwieters, Luca Göttner on bass, pianist Jonathan Wischniowski, and drummer Finn Thomas. Singed to Universal through Irrsinn Tonträger, they found major success through their second EP, conjuring upwards of fifty million streams on Spotify and a successful single with a cover of Tom’s Diner (originally by Suzanne Vega). They will join Tomlinson’s tour starting in Sioux Falls, SD through to the end of the tour, and will embark on their own US headliner following its completion.

Snarls

One of the newcomers of the lot, American indie rock band Snarls began their musical journey out of friendships and mutual connections. They released their first project, a self-titled EP, in 2018. The band is made up of lead singer Chlo White, bassist Riley Hall, with siblings Mick and Max Martinez on guitar and drums, respectively. Self-described as a “...band built from these cosmic connections, [is] an exercise in manifestation”, the quartet released their debut album Burst — produced by former Death Cab for Cutie member Chris Walla — in 2020. The band has been met with great reception and even a boasting from MTV. Coming off of tours with fellow American bands Movements and The Happy Fits, their spot on Louis’s tour is a major career moment. Snarls will join from the tour’s start through to the Hollywood, FL stop.

Andrew Cushin

Who is Andrew Cushin? He’s a singer-songwriter from Newcastle who is making a big wave early in his career. He released his debut single in 2020, making him the biggest newcomer of the opening acts. His debut EP, You Don’t Belong, is full of personal anecdotes and reflections on social issues that level out the melancholy with a tinge of optimism. He’s already made a splash in the music world with a track record of opening slots with The Lathums, Two Door Cinema Club, and The Libertines. The only solo act on the tour, it’s a testament to how much potential and already honed skills as a singer-songwriter Cushin has. He constantly makes appearances in his hometown with shows and has been acclaimed by news outlets and fans alike. So much so that his former tour mate Pete Doherty of The Libertines took him on with his own record label, Strap Originals. He will join starting in Atlanta, GA through to the final show of the tour.

From artists with a decade-long career to newcomers from this decade, Louis Tomlinson is doing something a lot of mainstream, successful artists should strive to do: introduce a mass audience to artists who are not only worthy of an opening spot, but would have their careers changed along with it. Perhaps it’s not what fans expected; nevertheless, that’s okay. Opening acts are supposed to be a gateway for artists to find success. Even though Tomlinson found success by being a member of One Direction, his consistent support for smaller artists, especially indie acts from around the world, is something to not be only admired but be standard practice. We’ll see you on the road!

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