Gracie Abrams, Dora Jar React to Fan’s Petition to Replace Jar as Tour Opener
"Wildly uncool and bizarre and also just does not remotely add up," said Abrams.
Gracie Abrams just announced Dora Jar as the opening act for her upcoming tour dates in Europe. In a bewildering move, a fan planning to attend the February-March leg of Abrams’ Secret of Us Tour started a petition to replace Jar as the opener.
A screenshot shared on social media shows that the petition was created on Change.org.
Though Jar has previously been the supporting act for Billie Eilish and The 1975 on arena tours, and toured in support of her own album this past fall, the petition’s creator — under the pseudonym Dexter Morgan — wrote, “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.”
They claimed, “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.”
What’s more perplexing: The petition organizer attempted to source Billboard to strengthen their statement that “upbeat opening acts are essential” at a concert. No citation link was shared, and no previous article appears to have been published on this website with those words, or arguing that opinion. (For what it’s worth, this Billboard editor isn’t demanding upbeat openers.)
Jar responded politely when discovering the petition’s existence Friday night (Jan. 24).
“Don’t worry this doesn’t bum me out! I’m hear 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,” she said in response to a message spotted on X (formerly Twitter).
Later she joked, “signed the petition but rehearsing these songs just in case I remain the opener! Love u Dexter.”
In another message Jar expressed thanks to fans of Abrams who’ve stepped in with words of support: “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.”
By Saturday, Abrams got word of the ill-mannered petition and spoke out on behalf of Jar.
“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,” Abrams commented on Stereogum’s Instagram post about the situation.
Jar’s debut full-length album, No Way to Relax When You Are on Fire, was released in September, featuring the single “She Loves Me.” The album followed two EPs, 2022’s Comfortably in Pain and 2021’s Digital Meadow.
She first shared the news that she’ll join Abrams on her European trek, which kicks off in Madrid on Feb. 8 and runs through Glasgow on March 12, on Friday (Jan. 24).
“PINCH ME!!!!” Jar captioned the announcement on Instagram. “To all the beautiful Gracie fans in Europe and the UK: it is such an honor to announce that I will be playing some of my songs for you , opening for our golden hearted living legend GRACIE ABRAMS!!! A privilege to soon share the stage and this experience with you @gracieabrams. Can’t wait to see you all, I will share a playlist soon with some songs that I’ll be playing so you can get familiar and sway with me xoxox.”
