Gracie Abrams has made an exciting announcement regarding her upcoming tour in Europe: Dora Jar will be the official opening act for the highly anticipated dates. However, this decision has sparked controversy among fans, leading to a petition on Change.org initiated by a fan who wishes to have Jar replaced before the February-March leg of Abrams? Secret of Us Tour. This unexpected move has left many questioning the choice of opening acts in concert lineups.

A screenshot circulating on social media reveals that the petition against Dora Jar was officially launched on Change.org, indicating a significant backlash from certain fans who are dissatisfied with the decision to have her as the opening act for Gracie Abrams? tour.

Despite Dora Jar‘s experience as a supporting act for renowned artists such as Billie Eilish and The 1975, as well as her own recent tour promoting her album last fall, the petition?s creator?operating under the pseudonym Dexter Morgan?expressed confusion over the announcement. They stated, ?Many fans, including myself, are baffled by the recent announcement ? We are perplexed as we do not recognize her, and with less than two weeks till the tour, it?s virtually impossible to familiarize ourselves with her slow-paced songs.? This sentiment reflects a broader concern regarding audience engagement with opening acts.

The petition?s author further articulated their belief that an opening act should energize the audience and create an exciting atmosphere for the concert, arguing that ?for a memorable concert experience, an opening act should set the mood and get the crowd excited, but Dora?s slow tempo songs may not achieve this goal.? This highlights a common expectation among concertgoers regarding how opening acts can influence the overall concert experience.

Interestingly, the petition organizer attempted to bolster their argument by referencing a source from Billboard to claim that ?upbeat opening acts are essential? for concerts. However, no citation link was provided, and the exact phrasing or argument does not appear to have been published by the magazine, raising questions about the validity of their claim. It’s worth noting that the editors at Billboard have not publicly expressed a demand for upbeat openers, indicating a divergence between fan expectations and industry standards.

Amidst the controversy, Dora Jar responded graciously upon learning about the petition?s existence on the night of January 24. She reassured her fans saying, ?Don?t worry this doesn?t bum me out! I?m here to perform for all the music-loving, open-hearted fans. Those who aren?t interested can go buy merch while I?m playing (but they might as well let me entertain them tho..;)) an overwhelming amount of fans have been so kind & excited,? demonstrating her commitment to her audience regardless of the negative feedback.

Later, in a lighthearted manner, Dora joked, ?signed the petition but rehearsing these songs just in case I remain the opener! Love u Dexter.? This playful comment reflects her resilience and ability to handle criticism with humor, maintaining a positive outlook despite the situation.

In another message, Dora Jar expressed her gratitude toward the fans of Gracie Abrams who have shown her support during this challenging time, stating, ?Hate comes with the job, the truth is this is the biggest outpouring of love I?ve ever received from a fanbase who is still unfamiliar with me. Gracie has beautiful, open-hearted fans and I am so excited for this.? This highlights the importance of community and support in the music industry.

By the following Saturday, Gracie Abrams became aware of the negative petition and chose to publicly defend Dora Jar, demonstrating her loyalty and support for her fellow artist.

Responding to the situation, Gracie Abrams expressed her disbelief at the petition, stating, ?Just hearing about this absolute ridiculousness . . . so wildly uncool and bizarre and also just does not remotely add up. I?ve only seen everyone?s total excitement and I couldn?t be luckier or prouder to share a stage with this talented wonder. Stream everything she?s ever made whether or not you?re coming to the show. Dora forever and ever,? as she voiced her support on Stereogum?s Instagram post about the controversy.

Dora Jar made her mark in the music scene with the release of her debut full-length album, No Way to Relax When You Are on Fire, in September. The album features the captivating single ?She Loves Me,? and follows her two previous EPs, Comfortably in Pain from 2022 and Digital Meadow from 2021. This discography showcases her evolution as an artist and her growing presence in the music industry.