headline band

Meaning

A 'headline band' (or 'headliner') is the main musical group featured at a concert or festival. They are the primary attraction, usually perform last, and play the longest set of the night. This neutral term is standard in the music and entertainment industry.

Examples

• The festival announced that a famous 90s rock group would be the headline band.

  The festival announced that a famous 90s rock group would be the headline band.

• We stayed until midnight to see the headline band perform their biggest hits.

  We stayed until midnight to see the headline band perform their biggest hits.

• Tickets sold out within minutes of the headline band being revealed.

  Tickets sold out within minutes of the headline band being revealed.

• As the headline band, they had an incredible light show and sound system.

  As the headline band, they had an incredible light show and sound system.

• The headline band didn't go on stage until 10:00 PM.

  The headline band didn't go on stage until 10:00 PM.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They were the head line band of the festival.

  ✓ They were the headline band of the festival.

  'Headline' is written as a single compound word, not two separate words.

• ✗ The mainest band of the night was incredible.

  ✓ The headline band of the night was incredible.

  'Mainest' is not a real English word. To describe the main attraction at a concert, use 'headline band' or 'headlining band'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Everyone stood up and cheered when the ___ finally walked onto the stage.

  💡 The main musical group of the concert who plays last.

  Show answer

  headline band

• They went from being an opener to a ___ in just two years.

  💡 The primary group featured on a concert lineup.

  Show answer

  headline band