Lessor artists

English translation: Opening act(s)

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

English term or phrase:	Lesser artists
Selected answer:	Opening act(s)
Entered by:	Can Altinbay

16:51 Dec 7, 2006

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Cinema, Film, TV, Drama

English term or phrase: Lessor artists

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.

humbird

Opening act

Explanation:
In my decades of concert going, this is the term I've always seen used.

Selected response from:

Can Altinbay
Local time: 17:38

Grading comment

Thank you Can. I was vascilating that I should take Cilian's answer, but something did not click. You won!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

4 +4

lesser (typo - below in importance)

RHELLER

4 +4

support bands/groups/artists

Cilian O'Tuama

5 +3

Opening act

Can Altinbay

4 +2

the opening band

Will Matter

3 +1

lesser-known artists, see expl.

conejo

Discussion entries: 2

Answers

3 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

lessor artists lesser (typo - below in importance)

Explanation:
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....

RHELLER
United States
Local time: 15:38
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 36

Notes to answerer

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.

6 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

lessor artists lesser-known artists, see expl.

Explanation:
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)
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It might be good to post this under 'music'...

conejo
United States
Local time: 16:38
Native speaker of: English

Notes to answerer

Asker: Hi Conejo! Since you know Japanese, let me give you a hint. they are called "mae-za".

9 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

lessor artists support bands/groups/artists

Explanation:
what we call them

e.g. the Dandy Warhols were David Bowie's support band

Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
Local time: 23:38
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8

17 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

lessor artists

Opening act

Explanation:
In my decades of concert going, this is the term I've always seen used.

Can Altinbay
Local time: 17:38
Native speaker of:

English,

Japanese
PRO pts in category: 8

Grading comment

Thank you Can. I was vascilating that I should take Cilian's answer, but something did not click. You won!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

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.

18 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

lessor artists the opening band

Explanation:
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(s):

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

Will Matter
United States
Local time: 14:38
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

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Lessor artists

English translation: Opening act(s)

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