This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
prevent accidents of heaters
to field

Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

Lesser artists

English answer:

Opening act(s)

Added to glossary by Can Altinbay
Dec 7, 2006 16:51
18 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term

Lessor artists

Non-PRO English Art/Literary Cinema, Film, TV, Drama
In performing arts, especially pop music performance on the stage, before main star singer performs, there are (in many cases) performances of lessor known or less popular artists.
What they are called? I cannot come up with proper names. Your help is much appreciated.
Responses
5 +3 Opening act
4 +4 lesser (typo - below in importance)
4 +4 support bands/groups/artists
4 +2 the opening band
3 +1 lesser-known artists, see expl.

Discussion

conejo Dec 7, 2006:
Here you go, corroboration for opening act and 'zenza' http://www2.alc.co.jp/ejr/index.php?word_in=opening act&word...
Kim Metzger Dec 7, 2006:
Sp. lesser artists

Responses

+3
17 mins
Selected

Opening act

In my decades of concert going, this is the term I've always seen used.
Peer comment(s):
agree conejo : I think this is best. I have heard this, too. Btw, "opening act" and "on tour with" together get 28400 Google hits
2 mins
Thank you. "On tour with" is OK, but very often, opening acts are recruited locally - good both for the local scene and the main act's bottom line.
neutral Cilian O'Tuama : unsuitable if more than one "lesser act" before main attraction (CL5?)
30 mins
Really? I've seen "opening acts" and "X and Y opened for". Possible difference in US and UK usage?
agree Will Matter : I WAS also thinking this is might be a UK / US difference. In the US there CAN be more than one opening act / group prior to the appearance of the featured star.
4 hrs
Thank you.
agree KathyT : Hi Can, and thanks!! ;-) ;-)
10 hrs
Thanks. And done.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you Can. I was vascilating that I should take Cilian's answer, but something did not click. You won!"
+4
3 mins

lesser (typo - below in importance)

2) lesser. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
...in amount, value, or importance, especially in a comparison between two things: chose the lesser evil. 2. Of a smaller size than other, similar forms: the lesser...


3) lesser. Roget s II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition. 1995.
...Below another in standing or importance: inferior, junior, low, lower2, minor, minor-league, petty, secondary, small, subaltern, subordinate, under. Informal : smalltime....

Note from asker:
Thank you Rita and Kim for correcting my typo. I know "lessor". That's my way of saying. What I would like to know is collective name if any, for those artists.
Peer comment(s):
agree Marian Greenfield : of course....
1 min
agree kmtext
3 mins
agree Jack Doughty
18 mins
agree Alfa Trans (X)
3 hrs
Something went wrong...
+1
6 mins

lesser-known artists, see expl.

Hmm, I am not sure if there is a specific word for what you are talking about, but a lot of times people just say "Band X (lesser-known artist) is playing with Band A (major artist) on Band A's tour."

There is nothing wrong with saying lesser-known artists though. I hope you find a specific word if there is one...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2006-12-07 16:59:02 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It might be good to post this under 'music'...
Note from asker:
Hi Conejo! Since you know Japanese, let me give you a hint. they are called "mae-za".
Peer comment(s):
agree Edith Kelly
6 mins
Thanks
Something went wrong...
+4
9 mins

support bands/groups/artists

what we call them

e.g. the Dandy Warhols were David Bowie's support band
Peer comment(s):
agree Richard Benham : Or a "support(ing) act" if appropriate.
8 mins
agree awilliams : and with Richard
13 mins
agree Erin McGann
52 mins
agree writeaway
3 hrs
neutral Will Matter : Not in the US. In the US the "support band" is the band that accompanies the "star". The "opening act" comes first (even if there is more than one), then the main performer will play. Probably a US / European usage difference.
4 hrs
But what if the "star" is a band? (Admittedly, I've asked American colleagues, and they said "no" to "support", too)
Something went wrong...
+2
18 mins

the opening band

Before the main band plays another band will often play. This is often called the "opening band", their main function (other than pure entertainment) is to "warm up" the crowd for the main act that follows them. People will also use this expression (in a slightly different form) to describe what their group did, see the examples below. HTH.
Example sentence:

We were the opening band for Joan Jett at last years show.

We opened for Joan Jett at the show last year.

Peer comment(s):
agree conejo : I prefer "opening act"but this is OK too ("on tour with" and "opening band" get 9500 Google hits)
2 mins
Arigatoo, Usagi-san. ;0)
agree Can Altinbay : Yes, but less general than my answer. Tom Chapin opened for Janis Ian and Tom Kell opened for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in two concerts I attended.
5 mins
Thank you, Can. Yes, this is less general but still applicable.
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search