opening band

Meaning

An 'opening band' is the musical group that performs first at a concert, before the main band or artist takes the stage. Their performance helps warm up the crowd and set the mood for the night. This is a very common, neutral term used by music fans and industry professionals alike.

Examples

• The opening band played for about thirty minutes before the stage was cleared.

  The opening band played for about thirty minutes before the stage was cleared.

• I had never heard of the opening band, but I ended up buying their album.

  I had never heard of the opening band, but I ended up buying their album.

• Most people were still buying drinks while the opening band was on stage.

  Most people were still buying drinks while the opening band was on stage.

• Our group got a huge opportunity to be the opening band for a famous rock group.

  Our group got a huge opportunity to be the opening band for a famous rock group.

• What time does the opening band start playing tonight?

  What time does the opening band start playing tonight?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We missed the beginner band because of traffic.

  ✓ We missed the opening band because of traffic.

  A 'beginner band' refers to musicians who are new to playing instruments. The band that starts a concert is always the 'opening band' or 'opening act'.

• ✗ They are the opener band for the tour.

  ✓ They are the opening band for the tour.

  Use 'opening band' or simply 'the opener'. Combining them into 'opener band' is grammatically awkward.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Don't worry if we're a bit late; we'll only miss the ___.

  💡 The musical group that plays first at a concert.

  Show answer

  opening band

• She used to play bass in the ___ for several indie rock concerts.

  💡 The band that warms up the audience before the main show.

  Show answer

  opening band