For fans of country‑pop superstar Kelsea Ballerini, one of the most exciting parts of attending a concert is not just hearing her string of hits, it’s discovering the artists who help kick off the show. Whether you’re heading to Denver, Phoenix, or any other stop on her 2025 live run, knowing who is opening for Kelsea Ballerini adds to the live‑music excitement. In 2025, Ballerini embarked on her Kelsea Ballerini Live On Tour, a major arena tour supporting her album Patterns and wrapping in venues across North America. Alongside her, talented performers brought their own energy to the stage, giving fans an unforgettable night from start to finish. Let’s dive into the artists who shared the spotlight with her, their backgrounds, and how these opening acts complemented Ballerini’s own set.
Opening Acts for the 2025 Tour
MaRynn Taylor – A Rising Country Voice
One of the names most closely associated with Who Is Opening for Kelsea Ballerini? tour is MaRynn Taylor. A rapidly emerging voice in country music, Taylor spent early years performing at local venues before capturing broader attention with her heartfelt lyrics and distinctive blend of traditional and contemporary country sounds.
Taylor’s inclusion as an opening act for this arena tour was significant for several reasons:
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She represents country music’s next generation, having built a grassroots following through heartfelt songwriting and strong streaming numbers.
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Her performance style, rich in emotion and melodic hooks,, mirrored the personal storytelling that fans love about Ballerini’s music.
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Sharing a stage with an established artist like Ballerini gave Taylor exposure to wider audiences, helping broaden her fanbase.
For many concertgoers, hearing MaRynn Taylor set the tone before the headliner was one of the highlights of the evening. Her presence underscored how opening acts can elevate a show’s narrative, starting with fresh talent before main course arrives.
Maisie Peters A Cross‑Genre Sensation
Another notable opener for the tour was Maisie Peters, a singer‑songwriter whose rise came through a unique blend of pop and folk influences. Originally from the U.K., Peters brought a different sound to Ballerini’s country‑leaning lineup, one that emphasized lyrical craft and emotional resonance. What makes Peters a compelling opening act:
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She blends intimate storytelling with wide‑appeal hooks, making her relatable to a diverse concert audience.
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Her catalog includes songs that resonate with themes of relationships, self‑discovery, and personal growth, themes that also appear throughout Ballerini’s own writing.
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Collaborating with Ballerini on tour also strengthened the connection between pop and country fans, expanding the concert experience beyond genre lines.
While Taylor’s style leaned more toward traditional country tones, Peters brought a cross‑genre balance to the set, giving fans a taste of multiple musical worlds before Ballerini took the stage.
Special Guests on Select Dates
In addition to the consistent lineup of openers, some tour dates featured special guest performers who appeared on certain nights either before or during the main show. For example, major music festivals and special events sometimes bring additional artists to the bill. At the 2025 CMA Fest, for instance, Kelsea brought out special appearances such as Noah Kahan, with whom she performed their hit duet, delighting fans with a surprise element to the evening. These guest spots show that while one opener might be consistent across much of a tour, dynamic festival or city‑specific lineups can offer unique musical moments.
What It’s Like at a Kelsea Ballerini Concert
Arriving early to see the opening acts is key to the full live experience. Concertgoers often share that the night feels like a journey, beginning with rising performers building excitement, followed by the momentum that leads to Ballerini’s high‑energy entrance. For example, fans of the Denver and Phoenix shows reported evening schedules that allow plenty of time to enjoy each act before the main performance. While openers play for shorter sets, the goal is to set the mood, hey, why skip them when they’re often unforgettable?
Attendees often take to social platforms to share set times and discuss what they’re most excited about. During some shows, audiences noted that openers started around 7:00 PM, with Ballerini taking the stage closer to 9:00 PM after the musical buildup created by supporting acts.
How Opening Acts Are Chosen
Opening acts are more than just warm‑ups. They’re carefully selected to:
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Match the headliner’s audience in style or vibe
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Introduce rising artists who complement the tour’s themes
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Provide a varied concert experience with diverse talent
In Ballerini’s case, the blend of MaRynn Taylor’s country roots and Maisie Peters’s cross‑genre appeal meant fans got a range of musical stylings, yet all connecting emotionally to the songs played later in the night. This thoughtful pairing often leads to increased exposure for the openers and enriched experiences for fans, many of whom discover new favorites before the headliner steps onstage. Music lovers may also read Who Is Aware That the Bandaged Man Is Invisible and Who Is the Plaintiff.
Tour Highlights and Fan Favorites
Fans who attended the tour noted a few memorable moments related to the openers and the overall show flow. Highlights often included:
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Energetic crowd response to Taylor’s original songs, which set a lively and welcoming tone.
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Peters’s storytelling lyricism, which created a thoughtful buildup before Ballerini’s main set.
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Surprise collaborations, like performances at large events where guest artists appeared with Ballerini.
For many fans, the night wasn’t just about one artist, it was an entire journey from opening notes to finale.
The Importance of Tour Openers in Concert Culture
Historically, opening acts have played a crucial role in concert culture. They:
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Help build anticipation before the headliner
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Give artists exposure to wider audiences
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Create a sense of community at live events
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Sometimes become the next big headliner
Many now‑famous performers got their start opening for larger names, and tours like Ballerini’s continue that tradition. For fans, discovering new artists becomes a beloved part of the live‑music ritual, especially when the quality is high across the bill.
Where and When You Might See These Openers
Whether your show is in Denver, Phoenix, Nashville, or another city on the tour, chances are that MaRynn Taylor and Maisie Peters will be part of the lineup throughout most of the run. Long tours typically maintain consistent openers across many dates, with occasional regional or festival‑specific guests added.
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Grand Rapids (tour kickoff) featured both Taylor and Peters, setting a strong template for the rest of the tour.
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Chicago, Minneapolis, Nashville, and beyond continued that format, allowing fans everywhere to see the same core supporting talent.
Special events like music festivals or international legs may feature additional support acts unique to those occasions.
Looking Ahead: Future Openers and Tours
As Kelsea Ballerini’s career continues to grow, including potential new legs like the Heartfirst Tour announced in different markets, fans can often expect fresh names added to future lineups. For example, artists like Georgia Webster have been announced as opening acts for select legs of later 2025 tours, adding new energy and exposure for yet another rising performer. This kind of rotation keeps live music dynamic, giving many artists a chance to shine and rewards fans with diverse performances.
The Full Show Experience
Concerts are about more than one setlist, they’re about connection, discovery, and shared moments. Knowing who is opening for Kelsea Ballerini in 2025 adds a layer to that experience:
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A chance to see songwriters and performers before they headline their own tours
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Stories and styles that weave together into one unforgettable evening
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A reminder that great music often comes in many forms, from opener to encore
Whether you’re going to multiple cities on the tour or your very first concert, arriving early for the opening acts ensures you don’t miss a beat of the full live experience.
