Synonym for Concert: What Else to Call a Live Music Event

When people say concert, a live music performance where an artist or band plays for an audience. Also known as live performance, it’s more than just music—it’s energy, crowd reactions, and moments you can’t replay. But you don’t always hear the word "concert" in the wild. People say "show," "gig," "performance," or even "tour stop." And while those might seem like simple synonyms, they carry different meanings depending on the scene.

A music festival, a multi-day event featuring multiple artists across several stages, often with camping and food vendors. Also known as festival, it’s not just a big concert—it’s a whole experience. Think Coachella or Lollapalooza: you’re not just there for one band, you’re there for the vibe, the crowd, the whole weekend. Then there’s the gig, a casual, often smaller-scale live show, usually at a club or local venue. Also known as show, it’s the term bands use when they say, "We’ve got a gig Friday night". It sounds less formal, more real. And a live performance, any musical event happening in real time, whether it’s a solo artist with a guitar or a symphony orchestra. Also known as live music, it’s the umbrella term that covers everything from a street musician to a stadium headliner. These aren’t just word swaps—they’re different types of experiences, each with its own cost, crowd, and energy.

Some people mix up "concert" and "tour," but a tour is the whole journey—multiple concerts across cities, sometimes over months. A concert is one stop on that journey. And while VIP packages, front-row seats, or livestreams might change how you experience it, they don’t change what it is. Whether you’re buying tickets on Ticketmaster, finding shows on Spotify, or wondering if a festival counts as a concert, the core idea stays the same: real people, real music, in the same room, at the same time. That’s what makes it different from streaming or a recording. You can’t replicate the scream of 50,000 fans when the lights go dark. You can’t replay the moment the lead singer leans into the crowd. That’s why we keep showing up—even when tickets cost hundreds, even when the venue is packed, even when we have to choose between a festival or a single-night show. Below, you’ll find real breakdowns of what those experiences actually cost, what you get, and how to spot the difference between a true concert and something that just calls itself one.