Kita Alexander shares how being the support act on big international tours is a gamechanger

It’s tough for Aussie artists to get heard these days and more international stars could be giving them a leg up when they tour here.

The last thing pop singer songwriter Kita Alexander expected to hear as she opened for Dua Lipa on her sold-out tour of Australia was “We love you, Kita!” shouted from the audience.

Scoring the support slot on the global superstar’s eight Radical Optimism shows in Sydney and Melbourne was a dream gig for an Aussie artist hustling to build their career.

Alexander has been friends with the “Levitating” star since they were signed to their former international management company as teens and was quick to throw her hand up to join the tour when it was announced last year.

The local industry is pushing for more local artists to be given support slots on international tours as festivals collapse and opportunities for Aussie acts to perform in front of big crowds dry up.

Kita Alexander’s new single got a huge boost after she was booked to open for Dua Lipa. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Brisbane band Ball Park Music last week won the hotly-contested opening spot on the Australian shows by British stadium rockers Oasis laster this year while Katy Perry, Metallica, Lady Gaga and Teddy Swims are yet to announce their support acts.

Lipa not only took out Alexander on tour but featured local guest acts at her shows including Troye Sivan, Vance Joy, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker and Angus Stone to sing their signature songs.

“Obviously I had a foot in the door because we’re friends, we talk, and that helped the situation,” Alexander said about the Dua Lipa tour.

“But her manager (father) Dugi told me it was because they love my music.

“I would love to do more shows with her in the rest of the world but she’s going to give those gigs to local artists who want to grow in their regions and I think that is very honourable.”

Alexander was a first-time nominee at the ARIA awards last year. Picture: Richard Dobson

It’s one thing to have pop star friends in high places, but support acts face a tough gig to win over fans who may have never heard of the “special guest” performer, as they are often billed.

ARIA Awards nominee Alexander has built her fanbase with a string of hits, including her early solo singles “Hotel” and “Between You & I,” and her monster global smash “Atmosphere” with dance producer star Fisher, which have generated over 400 million streams.

She is already reaping the benefits of playing in front of tens of thousands of Lipa’s fans.

Her new single “Press Pause”, released to coincide with the tour last month was the most played track on Triple J last week and added to the powerful playlists of Triple J, Nova, the Hit network and Spotify’s Hot Hits.

“We released it because I was doing the Dua tour and everyone got excited about it and started playing it. I’ve bumped into heaps of people who’ve said they are hearing it (played) everywhere,” she said.

Australian pop star Kita Alexander with husband Owen Wright and their children Rumi and Vali backstage at Dua Lipa concert. Picture: Instagram.

Alexander may have inadvertently created a future Australian pop star during the tour.

Her surfer husband Owen Wright and son Vali and daughter Rumi, with the four-year-old girl melted the hearts of fans as she sung and danced along to both her mum and Dua Lipa’s sets.

“She’s now ‘You can call me Rumi pop star!” the proud mum said.

“Neil Finn was at the Auckland show and said ‘Kita, watch, out, she’s going to be the next big thing’ and “Dua Lipa’s manager) Dugi noticed how she was copying all the choreography. “I told him I’ll call him in 10 years when I need advice on how to manage the parent-child and work relationship.”

Determined to maintain momentum generated by Dua Lipa tour, Alexander heads to the UK for a couple of tastemaker shows next month and then heads out on her Press Pause theatre tour of Australia in July.

All ticket and show details via https://www.kitaalexander.com/

Originally published as Kita Alexander shares how being the support act on big international tours is a gamechanger