By Vaughn Trudeau Schoonmaker
Summer is the season when music's biggest acts unleash hell on fans' bank accounts by all touring at the same time. The summer of 2011 is no exception — but what makes it special is that many of the supporting acts this season are so big that tickets become a two-for-one deal! And who doesn't love a bargain?
The biggest summer shows, and their big-name opening acts, include:
NKOTBSB with Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks will open for the much-hyped NKOTBSB tour, featuring the union of the two mega-boy bands that now compose one big "man band." The "American Idol" winner will be sure to give packed arenas their last shot of estrogen-infused power ballads and high heels before the testosterone-filled ninesome thunders in.
U2 with Florence and the Machine or Lenny Kravitz
U2 has enlisted a handful of opening talents to cover various portions of their everlasting 360 Tour. The Fray have just wrapped up their part of the tour, leaving fans the possibility of catching Florence and the Machine or Lenny Kravitz at the remaining shows.
Rihanna with Cee Lo Green and J. Cole
Cee Lo takes the stage before Rihanna and her fluffy red hair on the Loud Tour. The neo-soul singer is taking a break from judging NBC's "The Voice" to show off the voice that made him big enough to sit at the judge's table. Rapper J. Cole also adds to the volume of the Loud Tour.
Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance with Matt and Kim, Against Me or Manchester Orchestra
At different points this summer, Matt and Kim, Against Me and Manchester Orchestra will open for one of the noisiest tours of the season. Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance have joined forces to co-headline a tour that will be sure to draw in every punk in the United States and then some. "What's My Age Again?" will become an irrelevant question as the tour will surely draw teens as well as the 20- and 30-year-olds who moshed their way through Blink shows in the '90s.
Britney Spears with Nicki Minaj
After some drama with Enrique Iglesias, Nicki Minaj stepped in to add to the "femme" on Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Tour, which starts off in North America before hitting the rest of the world.
Katy Perry with Robyn
Scientists across the planet are still scratching their heads, struggling to solve the equation of how to make the ridiculously talented Robyn as famous as she should be in America. Joining Katy Perry's California Dreams Tour won't hurt, considering she has become the first artist to spend a whole year in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Other shows to catch
Don't miss Band of Horses opening for Kings of Leon, LMFAO opening for Ke$ha, and Yeasayer opening for Weezer and the Flaming Lips.
For more artists to look out for, check out our Opening Act videos.
Which opening act are you most excited to see this summer? Tell us in the comments below!