Aussie Support acts

Lets get the fact that I went to see Beyonce on Tuesday night out of the way (It was fun, though the precise theatrical nature and lack of spontaniety of the show means the spark that seprates good from great is missing).

I was always under the impression that international acts touring Australia had to have a local act support them. This wasn't the case of Beyonce; someone by the name of Chris Brown was the support, an artist who produces shrieking girls and ringtones (accompanied by probably the worst dj I've ever heard).

I do remember Massive Attack got into some sort of trouble because their local support act was relegated to play in the foyer. Has something changed? Support acts is a great way of building an audience - I've become fans of Jens Lekman and the Mocking Birds (ironically neither of them local) because of their support act status.

If something has changed, its a sad thing for local musicians.