headliner
HED-lye-ner
/ˈhed.laɪ.nər/
The main artist or act featured at a concert or festival.
Designates the highest-profile performer, usually performing last and receiving main billing.
The story behind the word. Derived from journalism and theater posters in the late 19th century, where the primary artist's name appeared in the top or 'head' line of print advertising posters.
Word relationships
- star act: Star act is a general descriptive term; headliner is an industry position on the event billing.
- main draw: Main draw emphasizes commercial attraction power rather than performance order.
- opening act: An opening act performs before the main featured artist.
- support act: A support act warms up the audience for the headliner.
Commonly confused with
- frontman: Headliner refers to the entire main musical group/artist; frontman is the lead individual within a band.
Word family
- headline (verb): To appear as the main performer at a concert.
- headlining (adjective): Performing as the top-billed act.
Collocations
- festival headliner
- top headliner
- surprise headliner
- co-headliner
Example sentences
- "The festival announced that the legendary rock group would be Saturday night's main headliner." Festival News
Memory hook
Their name is in the HEAD line of text on the poster. Top act on the bill.
When not to use
Do not use for supporting act performers who open the show.
Fun facts
- Co-headlining tours feature two major bands sharing equal billing and alternating closing sets.
Also appears in
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