Upstaging

After seeing a few concerts recently at the Greek Theater I began to think again about something I’ve always wondered about—are opening bands prohibited from using ‘premium’ lighting effects on stage? Or is it quite simply that most times, opening acts don’t have the budget to afford fancy visuals?

Even the sound quality of the main performer/band is always richer, as if, like the lighting, they’re given access to the better sound equipment.

It’s clear why you wouldn’t want the opening band to upstage the featured one, but I’m just curious if these are unspoken rules musicians follow, if it’s in writing or if it’s simply just not having the money to do something better.