headline act
/ˈhed.laɪn ækt/
Meaning
The headline act is the main performer, band, or artist at a concert, music festival, or show. They are the star attraction of the event and almost always perform last, after the opening acts have finished.
Examples
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We bought tickets to the festival specifically to see the headline act.
We bought tickets to the festival specifically to see the headline act.
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The headline act didn't go on stage until well after midnight.
The headline act didn't go on stage until well after midnight.
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Who is the headline act for tonight's comedy show?
Who is the headline act for tonight's comedy show?
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They started as an opening band, but now they are the headline act.
They started as an opening band, but now they are the headline act.
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The crowd went wild when the headline act finally appeared.
The crowd went wild when the headline act finally appeared.
Common Mistakes
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✗ They were the headliner act of the night.
✓ They were the headline act of the night.
While 'headliner' is a noun that means the same thing, combining them into 'headliner act' is redundant. Use either 'headline act' or simply 'headliner'.
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✗ The headline act opened the concert at 6 PM.
✓ The opening act started the concert at 6 PM.
The headline act is the main, final performer, not the one who starts or opens the show.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Everyone stayed late to watch the ___ perform their biggest hits.
💡 The main, final performer at a show.
Show answer
headline act
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Which band is the ___ for the music festival this weekend?
💡 The star attraction of the event.
Show answer
headline act