opening act

Meaning

A band, singer, or performer who plays at the beginning of a concert or show before the main performer (the headliner) comes on stage. It is used to warm up the crowd.

Examples

• We missed the opening act because we got stuck in traffic outside the venue.

  We missed the opening act because we got stuck in traffic outside the venue.

• Being chosen as the opening act for a major artist can launch a small band's career.

  Being chosen as the opening act for a major artist can launch a small band's career.

• The opening act was surprisingly good, and the crowd was really energetic.

  The opening act was surprisingly good, and the crowd was really energetic.

• Who is the opening act for the concert tonight?

  Who is the opening act for the concert tonight?

• They started as an opening act but are now selling out stadiums on their own.

  They started as an opening act but are now selling out stadiums on their own.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The open act was really boring.

  ✓ The opening act was really boring.

  The correct term uses the gerund 'opening' to describe the act that opens the show.

• ✗ They were the opener act for Coldplay.

  ✓ They were the opening act for Coldplay.

  You can say 'opening act' or simply 'the opener,' but combining them into 'opener act' is redundant and incorrect.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Make sure to arrive early if you want to catch the ___.

  💡 The performer who plays before the main star.

  Show answer

  opening act

• They are currently touring as the ___ for a famous rock band.

  💡 The warm-up performer or band.

  Show answer

  opening act