secret show

Meaning

A "secret show" is an unannounced or softly publicized concert, usually performed in a small, intimate venue by a very famous artist or band. These shows are often announced at the last minute via social media or word of mouth to avoid massive crowds and to give dedicated fans a unique, close-up experience. The tone is casual, exciting, and exclusive.

Examples

• The band played a secret show at a tiny dive bar under a fake name.

  The band played a secret show at a tiny dive bar under a fake name.

• I missed the secret show because they only posted the location an hour before it started.

  I missed the secret show because they only posted the location an hour before it started.

• Rumors are circulating that the pop star is planning a secret show in London tonight.

  Rumors are circulating that the pop star is planning a secret show in London tonight.

• Getting tickets to their secret show felt like winning the lottery.

  Getting tickets to their secret show felt like winning the lottery.

• They used a secret show to test out their new, unreleased songs on a small crowd.

  They used a secret show to test out their new, unreleased songs on a small crowd.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They did an invisible concert for their friends.

  ✓ They did a secret show for their friends.

  "Invisible" means unable to be seen. "Secret" is the correct adjective for an unannounced or private performance.

• ✗ I went to a hide show last night.

  ✓ I went to a secret show last night.

  "Hide" is a verb. The set noun phrase in English is "secret show" or "secret gig".

Related Expressions

Practice

• Only fifty people managed to get into the band's ___ at the local pub.

  💡 An unannounced, exclusive concert.

  Show answer

  secret show

• She found out about the ___ through a cryptic post on the guitarist's Instagram story.

  💡 A surprise concert announced at the last minute.

  Show answer

  secret show