Newly Launched OPNR Aims to Streamline Opening Set Search and Bookings by Connecting Independent Musicians to Concert Organizers

OPNR, a new website and app built and engineered to support the independent music community intends to alter and simplify the booking process for concert opening acts. Its purpose is to make the connection for musicians to opening set opportunities, while providing a concert organizer with the right data needed to make a decision on a local musician and the technology to create and manage a performance opportunity.

The newly launched platform was created by metro Detroit native Waref Hawasli, co-founder and president OPNR, who has been closely tied to the music industry for many years and saw the need for a more cohesive way to bridge the gap between independent musicians and opening act prospects.

"OPNR's mission is two-fold. The first is to assist independent musicians actively searching and interested in booking more local performances and the second is to connect concert organizers looking for local musicians for a concert they're producing," said Hawasli. "Ultimately our objective is to support the independent music community by providing a viable solution to an existing industry problem."

Prior to founding OPNR, Hawasli served as CEO and publisher of Rolling Stone Middle East. In 2010, he spearheaded the acquisition of the Rolling Stone Magazine license for the Middle East region and developed and led the publication's brand strategy and editorial team. After eight years in Dubai overseeing the magazine, he decided to return to metro Detroit to pursue business consulting and real estate development.

OPNR is a by-product of Fanic Music, a web-based platform Hawasli created in 2017 to connect musicians with fans first and foremost and additionally to assist in the booking process and promotions. A few months after the launch, Hawasli saw a shift in site's usage towards finding local openers for events with confirmed headliners. "We made the decision to pivot and focus primarily on what the industry was lacking, a system built to connect local musicians with local concert organizers looking for local support for their local events," said Hawasli.

For musicians and band managers, OPNR offers an Electronic Press Kit generator allowing musicians to present themselves professionally when submitting for an opportunity. A Search and Submit function navigates musicians to current opening set opportunities based on location and genre.

On the concert organizer side, OPNR streamlines the search process by allowing them to create an opportunity within the platform and then filter their search based on specific criteria such as genre or location. OPNR will notify only the musicians that fit the criteria and provide a submission deadline. Once the deadline is reached, the concert organizer can review and choose the right local musician for their event. When a musician is selected, the system will connect both parties to discuss the opportunity in more detail.

"Music discovery is a critical part of our business. We're always looking for new acts. OPNR offers us an efficient new tool for finding great talent, we're excited to integrate it into our booking process," says Dan McGowan, managing partner of Pontiac, Mich.-based Crofoot Presents.

OPNR will offer two membership plans. 'Freemium' which is available now and completely free to use. A Premium version with enhanced features and benefits will be launched in the future.

For more information, visit opnrmusic.com.

About OPNR
Launched in 2018, OPNR was developed and engineered to support the independent music community by connecting musicians with local booking opportunities offered by local concert organizers. By utilizing technology, users are able to match local musicians with local concert organizers in a professional, simple, efficient and affordable way. Visit http://www.opnrmusic.com.

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