What Is a Music Concert Called? Concert vs Gig, Show, Recital, and Festival Explained

You clicked this because you want the right word fast. Is it a concert, a gig, a show, a recital, or a festival? The short answer: it depends on size, genre, formality, and context. I’ll give you a clean, no-fuss way to choose the right term for posters, texts, press releases, and school assignments-so you never second-guess it again.

TL;DR: Quick answer and key takeaways

• “Concert” is the neutral, all-purpose term for a public music performance-works for orchestras, bands, choirs, and solo artists.
• “Gig” is casual and typical for bands, singer-songwriters, and DJs in smaller venues (bars, clubs, pubs).
• “Show” is informal and broad-used across genres and sizes, especially in live music promo (“sold-out show”).
• “Recital” is formal and usually features one performer or a small group (classical, jazz, dance studios, music schools).
• “Festival” is a multi-artist, often multi-day event, with stages, vendors, and a larger production scale.

One neat rule: If tickets are sold for a single artist or ensemble at a venue, “concert” or “show” fits. If it’s small and casual, “gig.” If it’s formal and centered on a performer’s program, “recital.” If it has many artists and a schedule, “festival.”

How to pick the right word (step-by-step)

Think of this like a tiny decision tree you can run in your head in five seconds. Use it for emails, posters, social posts, and event listings.

1. Check the scale. One artist/band and a standard ticket? Say “concert” or “show.” Multiple artists over a programmed lineup? “Festival.”
2. Check the vibe. Casual pub or club set? “Gig.” Black-tie hall or school program featuring a soloist? “Recital.”
3. Check the genre. Classical: “concert” or “recital” (not “gig” unless you want ultra-casual). Rock/pop/indie: “concert,” “show,” or “gig.” Jazz: “concert,” “gig,” or “recital” (student/academic). EDM: “show,” “set,” or “festival.” Opera and ballet are “productions,” not concerts, unless it’s a “concert performance” without staging.
4. Check the venue language. The venue or promoter often sets the tone. If their calendar says “show,” mirror it. If it’s a conservatory or university, “recital” may be standard.
5. Check the audience expectation. Writing a press release? Lean formal: “concert.” Posting a quick Insta story? “Show tonight at 8.” Texting a friend? “Gig at San Fran Bath House” (yes, that’s how we say it in Aotearoa/NZ).

Shortcut: If you’re unsure and need one safe word for nearly any public music event, use music concert. It’s plain, clear, and search-friendly.

Examples in context (use these without overthinking)

Here are quick, real-life phrasing templates you can copy into texts, emails, posters, and press materials.

• Text a friend (casual): “Want to hit the gig at Meow tonight?”
• Social post (promo): “Wellington! Our album-release show is this Friday at 8. Limited tickets.”
• Event listing (neutral): “Chamber Orchestra Concert - Saturday, Michael Fowler Centre.”
• Press release (formal): “The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra announces a concert featuring Mahler’s Fifth.”
• School/uni program: “Senior flute recital by Hana K.”
• Festival guide: “Saturday line-up at CubaDupa: street stages from noon, headliners from 7 pm.”
• Classical crossover: “Opera in Concert: Verdi arias without staging.”
• Jazz club: “Late-night gig: Trio set at 10:30.”
• EDM: “DJ set at Club 121 - extended show ‘til late.”
• Tour language: “Final NZ show of the 2025 tour.”

Want genre-tuned wording? Use “recital” for student showcases, conservatory performances, solo classical/jazz programs. Use “show” when the performance includes visuals, staging, or a more theatrical presentation. Use “gig” when the room is small, the vibe is loose, and you’re talking directly to fans.

Quick reference: terms, meanings, and when to use them

This table gives you fast definitions, typical use, and region notes. It’s written with everyday usage in mind, including how we speak in New Zealand.

Two finer points, in plain language:

• “Symphony” is a piece of music; the group is an “orchestra.” So it’s the “orchestra concert,” not a “symphony” (unless you mean they’re playing a symphony).
• “Philharmonic” and “Symphony” in names (e.g., Auckland Philharmonia) both mean “orchestra.” Use “orchestra,” “orchestral concert,” or the group’s official name.

Why this matters: in posters and press, the term sets expectations. A “recital” signals a focused program and listening vibe. A “gig” suggests standing room and a bar. A “festival” tells people to plan for a schedule, weather, and crowds.

Mini-FAQ and next steps (answers, checklists, and pro tips)

Here are the questions people usually ask right after “What is a music concert called?” plus simple actions you can take.

• Is a concert the same as a show? Close enough in everyday use. “Concert” reads slightly more formal; “show” reads more promo-friendly. You won’t upset anyone with either.
• Is a recital a concert? A recital is a type of concert, but with a focus on a soloist or small group and a set program (often classical or academic).
• Is opera a concert? Opera is a staged work. If performed without sets or staging, it’s an “opera in concert.”
• What about DJ nights? Use “DJ set,” “show,” or if it’s a multi-artist billed event, “festival.”
• What’s a “set” vs “setlist”? A set is the block of performance time. A setlist is the list of songs performed.
• What’s a “matinee”? A daytime performance, usually around 2 pm. It’s about the time, not the genre.
• What’s a “house concert”? A private or semi-private concert hosted in a home. Small, intimate, usually donation-based.
• “Proms” like in the UK? That’s a classical concert series, especially the BBC Proms. Not a school dance.
• Does country/region change the term? Slightly. In NZ/UK, “gig” is very common for casual shows. In the US, “show” is heavy in promo. “Concert” works everywhere.

Quick checklists you can screenshot:

• Poster/website checklist: Artist name(s), term (concert/show/gig/recital), date/time, venue, support acts, age restriction, ticket link, access info.
• Press release checklist: Formal term (“concert”), program or set highlights, quotes, who/what/when/where/why, media contact, high-res images.
• Social post checklist: Hook line, term (“show”/“gig”), exact time, ticket status (on sale, low tix, sold out), CTA, tag the venue.

Heuristics and pitfalls to avoid:

• If there’s a conductor or formal program, “concert” beats “gig.”
• If it’s a student or solo-focused program, “recital” fits best.
• Don’t call a festival a concert-fans will expect a bigger experience.
• For electronic nights, “DJ set” is clearer than “concert.”
• Use the venue’s tone; match the words on their calendar.

Next steps based on who you are:

• Fan texting friends: Use “gig” or “show.” Clear and friendly.
• Student writing an assignment: Use “concert” or “recital” depending on the program; name the ensemble or soloist.
• Artist posting a flyer: If it’s small/club: “gig” or “show.” If it’s a theatre/hall: “concert.” Add support acts and start times.
• Communications/PR: Default to “concert,” specify type (“benefit concert,” “orchestral concert,” “album-release show”). Keep it consistent across channels.

How to apply this in the wild (NZ-focused tips you can use today)

In New Zealand, we mix British and American usage. You’ll hear “gig” a lot for pub and club nights, “show” for tour dates, and “concert” for classical, choral, and theatre venues. Here’s how to sound native and clear:

• For city listings: “Wellington gig guide: Friday shows at San Fran, Meow, and Valhalla.”
• For classical: “Choral concert, St Paul’s Cathedral-Brahms Requiem.”
• For schools/unis: “End-of-year violin recital: Studio Theatre.”
• For multi-artist days: “CubaDupa festival map and stage times.”

If you’re writing for people traveling to Aotearoa, use the clearer term first-“concert”-and the casual term second if needed: “album-release concert (club show).”

Useful formatting for clarity:

• Include the headliner and the support: “Headliner + support from [names].”
• State whether it’s seated or standing. People plan shoes and jackets around this.
• Add duration or “two sets with interval.” It nudges arrivals to be on time.
• If it’s free or donation-based (house concert, community show), say it up front.

If you’re in doubt, read the poster out loud. If it sounds like a mouthful, simplify the term and keep the essential details. Clear beats clever.

Why language choice can affect attendance-yes, really:

• “Recital” signals quiet listening and can scare off casual fans who wanted a beer-and-chat vibe.
• “Gig” invites fans who like close-up energy but may put off those dressing for a formal night.
• “Festival” sets day-planning expectations (sunblock, water, shoes, transport). Wrong word = wrong prep.

Small change, big impact. Choose the word that matches the room and the audience you want.

Evidence you can trust without the jargon:

• Oxford English Dictionary defines “concert” as a public musical performance and “recital” as a performance by a soloist or small group-this is why those two words carry different expectations.
• BBC usage (“The Proms”) shows “prom” as a concert series in the UK context.
• Conservatory and university programs worldwide label student-led, solo-focused programs as “recitals.”

One last nudge before you close the tab:

• If it’s formal, seated, or classical: “concert” or “recital.”
• If it’s casual, small, or club: “gig” or “show.”
• If it’s multi-artist and scheduled: “festival.”

Pick one, commit, and keep it the same in your event title, caption, and ticket page. Consistency sells confidence-and tickets.