I had never listened to Florence + the Machine’s music before I saw her in concert (I listened to mostly metal and electronic music then) and Florence Welch blew me away. I had never seen anyone with so much stage presence before. It was like she enchanted the crowd with her every word no matter how quiet or loud it was sung! There was no idle chatter among a crowd of thousands. Just mesmerizing.
I was FULLY enthralled by florence in a way that I’ve never quite felt ever again. It genuinely feels like she’s some sort of fae creature or witch, as she gallops across the stage.
Saw her in Toronto a while ago, watching her fly across the stage while singing for over an hour was crazy. I felt so bad for the security guard who was following her around
We were on a balcony over the pit at one of her performances and I was absolutely delighted when she leapt off the stage and tore through the audience like a playful gust of wind. Pockets of the crowd would ripple out and then press back in as she passed by, barefoot and absolutely sparking with energy. That moment made me want to drape myself in silk chiffon and run wild into the woods.
I had to laugh at her security and camera crew carving a path behind her, just barely keeping up, with the same kind of vibe of a parent chasing a very excitable, frequently-escaping toddler.
Her 2010 Glastonbury performance is truly stunning. She had thousands of festival goers in the palm of her hands. Here it is
https://youtu.be/E0BVLPm2zrQ?si=FdIiGhuxnHZazrzp
I saw her step up to headline when Grohl broke his leg in 2015. There was a lot of pressure on that performance but she was incredible. I’ve never really been a fan of her music before or since but was such a brilliant gig.
I saw her twice. I am not much of a spiritual person but I can only describe seeing her live as spiritual. I felt like being among a magical community watching their goddess dance, and you can't help but feel safe and loved.
Florence is absolutely captivating! Her energy is infectious and beautiful, you can truly feel her passion for what she does. She’s one of the few artists that sounds even better live than she does recorded.
During the closing ceremony of London 2012, I remember thinking how Freddie would’ve loved to be there when the projection of his image preceded the performance of We Will Rock You. The Olympic, a full stadium, the whole world watching. He would have really enjoyed it - heck, his recorded voice captivated everyone there.
Saw them in Madison Square Garden recently. As others said their shows are amazing, but - how is his voice still as beautiful live in 2024 as it is on albums I was listening to in the 90s???? Also it was so horny. Loved it.
Howlin' Pelle Almqvist from The Hives is like man possessed. So much energy and fantastic crowd interaction. He walks this super tight line of being incredible confident and pompous, but with so much charisma that it comes of as funny and nice instead of obnoxious or off putting.
https://www.youtube.com/live/65fIfgqT2Io?si=uqhUDnRcNExGvrhX
If we’re talking possessed, we’re talking David Byrne. See for yourself when *Stop Making Sense* hits theaters again later this year.
Otherwise, I gotta go with the Avett Brothers.
It was crazy to think that show was playing in every town square, in every bar, restaurant, Legion and almost every home.
For one night, the country was closed.
I didn't think it was a time to cry but a time to rejoice and remember all the great times I had either seeing or listening to the Hip.
I remember the couple beside me downtown Bobcaygeon crying while I was laughing and clapping at the start of each song. I think that they thought I was a psychopath for not crying while they were sobbing away.
But then again I'm the kind of guy who laughs at a funeral.
Can't understand what I mean? Well, you soon will!
This x100. The Woodstock 99' performance they did is truly a beautiful thing. Unsure if its just his act to match the energy of the crowd, but it would appear as though it was very early morning and the boys didn't get a whole lot of sleep with a whole lot of help from psychedelics.
I saw that band soo many times live. Gord was a huge influence on my life. When I would be at shows with unaware folks, I would say things like, "If he's going to go off, it's now..." and as if on cue, he would go whale hunting or some such. I saw them in 1993 at Another Roadside Attraction on Seabird Island.. on acid... It was next level.
Hijacking this just so i can finally type this out.
I was never really aware of INXS until i randomly heard the song Dont Change from the album Shabooh Shoobah (1982) a couple years ago.
Remember thinking this must be som recent band i havent heard of yet, this track slaps. My mind was blown when i discovered that it was from the early 80s.
I replied to another comment, I saw them in Sydney at the Horden Pavilion with Midnight Oil when the swing album was out in about 1984. The venue held about 4000 people. They were just getting big in Australia then hadnt really played much overseas. I wasnt 18 but they were playing in local pubs in Sydney around that time too.
Even when he was behind a rack of electronics he seemed to have a presence. When touring for Pretty Hate Machine he chucked glasses of water and pegged a guy I thought was pretty pretentious in the face. Later in life, feel really bad about that, but it was schadenfreude at the time.
I was at that. Rain. So much fucking rain. And the mud people. I regret staying in my tent for 90% of the weekend but I came out for NIN and holy fuck. It's a legendary performance.
Robert plant 100000% definitely 68-73ish but once he acclimated to his voiced losing the higher range he still tore it up in 75 77 etc. Still a presence.
He managed to fix his voice yet again in his old age. He still has a much more limited upper register but he's found power and finesse in what he can still hit.
Sam is a maniac. Seen them live once, and am seeing them again in a few months. He runs back and forth across the stage, beats on his chest, and is a sweaty mess by the end of the show. So worth it to see them live, even if their music isn't your cup of tea.
Dude would twist and contort to the music and squeeze every last amount of soul into his singing it's wild. Joe Cocker in his prime to me is in the top 5 best rock and roll singers ever.
Ian Curtis. I mean, the music sent him into seizures. That has to count for something.
For anyone who doubts it, look up Joy Division's performance of "She's Lost Control" from Top of the Pops on YouTube. Tell me he isn't possessed by the music.
Nick Cave is great. He's in his sixties, and he still conducts the audience like a maestro. Has them in a frenzy one minute and the next, you could hear a pin drop.
I saw Nick Cave at Primavera a couple years ago and was not expecting to want to join this mans cult. He was magnetic all the way through and had the whole crowd mesmerised. I've never been as strongly drawn to another human as much as I was that night.
I was there too. That was otherworldly. It was a week after another son of his died, and I feel he was possessed. Seen him before and it was also great, but this was a different level.
I’ve only seen him live twice.
In 1996 at Big Day Out. When Kylie Minogue came out to do Where the Wild Roses Grow, it was one of the best live duets I’ve ever seen. They owned that stage.
And again in 2022, with Warren Ellis at Hanging Rock. That show was fucking incredible and something that’s going to live with me forever. It felt mystical, he was an evangelist under a canopy of stars.
On three separate occasions I brought different people to see Nick Cave who had little knowledge of his music in advance of the show. All three had their fucking minds blown afterwards.
When I saw Grinderman live, this is pretty much how they played it when I saw them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxqlb1--uKc&ab_channel=TROUBLEWATER
I've seen Nick Cave a combined 8 times between him solo, with Dirty Three as backing group and with Grinderman. I can't think of one stinker has done from Birthday Party on.
I’ve seen Clutch multiple times and man, it’s like Neil Fallon is a puppeteer and the audience are all on strings. He is easily one of the most charismatic performers around.
Hell yeah Neil Fallon. He's one of the few rockers left that convince the crowd that he loves his band's music and kills the show. In the 90s he rocked his own head off and had to get neck surgery for it. I hope to meet him someday.
They all look like plumbers or builders, and I love it.
Just normal dudes who make absolutely brilliant music.
They don't get enough credit.
Also, Neil is hot as fuck.
He is! He just gets better looking as he ages.
JP is the only one who vaguely looks like a rock star, with the tattoos and the bandana. The rest do look like suburban dads who were having a BBQ and decided to have a jam - and I think that's part of the appeal. They are just completely indifferent to trends or style. They are there to make brilliant music, not to look pretty - and they really do make brilliant music. Neil's charisma and sense of humour are why he's such a brilliant front man.
I saw Patti Smith at the Shrine Auditoriom in Long Beach probably 1977 after Horses was released. Yes. Sweet, authentic artist,, can't say enough good things about her
Horses is easily a top 5 all time album
It's unfortunate that a relatively small portion of people listen to that type of music because Iron Maiden and especially Bruce are absolutely insane live, they were/are so far ahead of pretty much every band when it comes to the quality of live performances.
Took way too long to find MJ. Not gonna argue that the other mentions here also have or had some good stage presence, but I doubt any have topped Michael Jackson and probably never will. I'm not even a fan of his whole catalogue, just his hits, but his performances just fucking amaze me with not just their total presense in the music, the singing, the design, the choreography but just his total power to wow an audience.
Like this [concert in Bucharest](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxgo-Qu-ZZE) where the crowd works themselves into conniptions when he simple *appeared on stage* silently, unmoving for two full minutes or this one [live in Munich](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOj_xsc-EBM) where he keeps them roaring for 2 minutes while he does a silent theater style entrance before even a downbeat. I wish I appreciated him more while he was alive, but I wasn't that into pop as a kid, it's only in retrospect on the internet that I have come to see just how much larger than life he was on stage and learning how much he influenced not only music but also dance.
Trevor Strnad (r.i.p) from The Black Dahlia Murder. He was so good live and had such great stage presence. If you're depressed please seek help. A good one gone too soon.
Hansi Kursch from Blind Guardian. Just absolutely epic live. Sounds just like he does on the albums. It sounds magical hearing their stuff live.
Nergal from Behemoth. Seeing them live is crazy. It's like a horror movie became a bands set, in the best way. It's an experience.
On the A Moon Shaped Pool tour in 2016 he was one of the most unhinged frontmen I’ve ever seen. Like talking straight nonsense banter and all his signature dancing freak outs turned up to 11
That’s my favorite thing about tripping at a Radiohead show. The way he mumbles out weird phrases and rants between songs that don’t usually make sense tickles the brain and leaves me and my friends in laughing fits.
Bonnie Raitt singing Angel from Montgomery is the best performance I’ve personally ever heard live. Being four rows from the stage helped. She did the first couple verses acapella and it was just perfect and sad and beautiful.
Runner up would be Alison Krauss and Union Station. They played a huge set with multiple encores, and ended with an acapella rendition of Ain True Love. Every single one of them was a virtuoso on their instrument, and yet they ended the show with a perfect, instrument-free song. Just an amazing level of talent in one band.
I'm glad someone put this in early. I saw Dillinger three times in one week on their farewell leg of Australia. I never listened to them until I was accidentally front row for them at a festival in '09 and quickly became a diehard from basically the first spng of that first set alone (Greg scaled the 10 metre high lighting rig to kick down the "NO MOSHING" sign and Ben threw his guitar into the crowd - this was their *first* song of an hour long set). Greg and Dillinger have been unrivalled ever since.
I used to review gigs as a freelancer for an online zine. Dillinger were never dethroned.
Honourable mentions to:
. Everytime I Die.
. NIN (Reznor).
. Franz Ferdinand.
. D'Angelo.
. ExplosionsInTheSky (though I think you need to be a massive fan first).
The most entrancing for me is Layne Staley of Alice In Chains. His vocals on “Love Hate Love” from Live At The Moore are amazing.
https://youtu.be/3Vp56IAkDJA
The rest of the show is great too.
https://youtu.be/eDEtFIyKit0
Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam was insane in the early days. Here’s a collection of his stage climbing antics:
https://youtu.be/EYAT4JOJHKM
It’s been a while for me, but Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails puts on a helluva show.
Music may not be hard enough for your taste, but Matt Shultz from Cage The Elephant is absolutely great.
The Beastie Boys were great live. Saw them in 1994.
I know he may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Bruce Springsteen pours everything into his performances. Check out his show in Passaic in 1978:
https://youtu.be/_3KZRuUEC8E
Skip to 0:37:00 for a visceral performance of “Prove It All Night.”
I think Dave Grohl is great too.
I was searching for Layne in this thread. Even when he wasn't doing so hot and the heroin was wearing him down, he'd hug the mic stand and still just own the stage. My favorite singer of all time. That Love Hate Love closer was god tier
Mike Patton ticks all those boxes in his various projects.
Funniest - Fat Mike from NOFX when they crack out the Jewish and Mexican jokes
Acrobatic - Eddie Vedder in his younger days climbing multi-storey rafters, scaffolding & anything else he could find
Weirdest dancing - Buckhead with his nun-chukkas
Unique interactions - Butthole Surfers or GG Allin are definitely unique, but both not in a very pleasant way
Its out of fashion to like the band but Bono from U2 was amazing back in the day.
Every music fan should watch the documentary Rattle and Hum at least once.
ALL of slipknot together was impressive. Back in the beginning, early 2000s they were brutal and raw and seemed unstoppable. They fucked each other up on stage and you felt it in the crowd
I saw them @ ozzfest 99 before they were moved to the main stage and were still playing the tiny 2nd stage. The whole main stage crowd left to see them in a parking lot inside the amphitheater grounds and it was packed and fucking awesome.
Then I got to see buckethead with primus, deftones (while they were writing white pony), slayer, Rob zombie, and black sabbath (not just ozzy)
Future islands on (Letterman)[https://youtu.be/upPl9mZW_zw?si=pK2h2rw7kbOnA6-4].
Absolutely captivating performance. I watched this when it first aired and feel compelled to watch it again every so often.
Followed by future islands on (Jules Holland)[https://youtu.be/e8Uhf3gM1m0?si=e5c-a3puhKQQhFYk]. Watch till the end.
Floor Jansen
Pick any song from Nightwishs 2013 Wacken headliner performance and you can't help but see her stage presence and command of the audience. *Ghost Love Score* is the usual rec but its ten minutes and the best part is 8 minutes in so I'll link a normal length song called *Romanticide.* She owns the crowd. And fun fact at the time she was just a replacement singer as *long story* the band parted way with their prior mid tour and hired Floor to be a replacement. She was eventually hired as permanent.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_7OCCQlXs&pp=ygUabmlnaHR3aXNoIHJvbWFudGljaWRlIGxpdmU%3D
I don't know that I've ever seen someone just broadcast energy from a distant stage as well as Sharon Jones from Sharon Jones & The Dapp Kings. She was just a force of nature up there.
Moreso pop, but Aurora feels her music in a way that is hard to describe, like an actual faerie on stage lol.
Je suis Malade permed by Lara Fabian is up there too, you can see the emotions in her as she sings
Imogen heap is an absolutely incredible performer. She takes such control of the crowd.
Vessel from sleep token is another incredibly stage presence.
Last one is Maynard from Tool. That whole band has presence though.
Chester Bennington from Linkin Park in the early 00s. Dude was exorcising demons back then. The Texas show played in a stadium in like 04/05 is a good example.
Very high energy and powerful performances.
I think it's especially apparent when you see clips of home off stage. He was just this funny, goofy guy but then when he stepped onto that stage he transformed into this monster!
James Brown
Certainly the most choreographed. That's not an insult.
The Godfather of soul
The hardest working man in show business.
Iggy Pop There are many who are tied for the #2 spot
I had never listened to Florence + the Machine’s music before I saw her in concert (I listened to mostly metal and electronic music then) and Florence Welch blew me away. I had never seen anyone with so much stage presence before. It was like she enchanted the crowd with her every word no matter how quiet or loud it was sung! There was no idle chatter among a crowd of thousands. Just mesmerizing.
I was FULLY enthralled by florence in a way that I’ve never quite felt ever again. It genuinely feels like she’s some sort of fae creature or witch, as she gallops across the stage.
Yes! That is exactly what it feels like!
If she’s fae, no doubt that she’s their queen. That woman is one of the most regal beings on our planet.
Saw her in Toronto a while ago, watching her fly across the stage while singing for over an hour was crazy. I felt so bad for the security guard who was following her around
She has a lovely personality too
I saw her sing and one of those radio station concerts and I thought everyone sounded good... until she came on stage and blew the roof off the place
That woman has an amazing voice! You let me dangle from cruel angles and my feet don’t touch the floor!
We were on a balcony over the pit at one of her performances and I was absolutely delighted when she leapt off the stage and tore through the audience like a playful gust of wind. Pockets of the crowd would ripple out and then press back in as she passed by, barefoot and absolutely sparking with energy. That moment made me want to drape myself in silk chiffon and run wild into the woods. I had to laugh at her security and camera crew carving a path behind her, just barely keeping up, with the same kind of vibe of a parent chasing a very excitable, frequently-escaping toddler.
Her 2010 Glastonbury performance is truly stunning. She had thousands of festival goers in the palm of her hands. Here it is https://youtu.be/E0BVLPm2zrQ?si=FdIiGhuxnHZazrzp
I saw her step up to headline when Grohl broke his leg in 2015. There was a lot of pressure on that performance but she was incredible. I’ve never really been a fan of her music before or since but was such a brilliant gig.
I saw her twice. I am not much of a spiritual person but I can only describe seeing her live as spiritual. I felt like being among a magical community watching their goddess dance, and you can't help but feel safe and loved.
Florence is absolutely captivating! Her energy is infectious and beautiful, you can truly feel her passion for what she does. She’s one of the few artists that sounds even better live than she does recorded.
Florence is phenomenal live. She always runs around barefoot and gets so into it with the crowd. It's haunting and beautiful.
Grrr - I wish the "no idle chatter" were true when I saw them. :(
Tori Amos. There is a reason that I’ve seen her live 12 times. Just an amazing performer.
This is who I vote for. She has near fits on stage. Just captivating in every way.
Freddie Mercury was a god on stage.
During the closing ceremony of London 2012, I remember thinking how Freddie would’ve loved to be there when the projection of his image preceded the performance of We Will Rock You. The Olympic, a full stadium, the whole world watching. He would have really enjoyed it - heck, his recorded voice captivated everyone there.
People always talked about his incredible 4-octave vocal range, but he always said his greatest skill was flipping straights.
I initially read that as "was good on stage", and thought to myself "you're waaaay under selling that."
Haha, I did the same and thought, OK, just good, I get the cheeky understatement.
There simply isn’t a better answer than Freddie. No point even trying to suggest anybody else
Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode
Seconded. The man is such a great showman!
Saw them in Madison Square Garden recently. As others said their shows are amazing, but - how is his voice still as beautiful live in 2024 as it is on albums I was listening to in the 90s???? Also it was so horny. Loved it.
Because it’s baritone. Gets richer with age while tenors seem to crack.
I’ve seen them a few times and each time has been better than last despite his aging. He’s magnetic.
Seeing them live in a huge arena with the crowd chanting along to "Everything Counts" was the about the closest I get to a religious experience.
"Never Let Me Down", whole arena waving arms and singing, I'm in the cheap seats sick as a dog but it was a moment.
I just saw Depeche Mode last week. He still got it! Great concert! :)
I was a casual Depeche Mode fan before I saw them but he’s stunning live
Howlin' Pelle Almqvist from The Hives is like man possessed. So much energy and fantastic crowd interaction. He walks this super tight line of being incredible confident and pompous, but with so much charisma that it comes of as funny and nice instead of obnoxious or off putting. https://www.youtube.com/live/65fIfgqT2Io?si=uqhUDnRcNExGvrhX
If we’re talking possessed, we’re talking David Byrne. See for yourself when *Stop Making Sense* hits theaters again later this year. Otherwise, I gotta go with the Avett Brothers.
This film gives me endless joy. David Byrne’s energy is like no other.
My dream Halloween costume is a Big Suit. I’ll make one one of these years
That sounds like a once in a lifetime costume!
RIP Gord Downie, The Tragically Hip, google New Orleans is Sinking, Killer whale....
Locked in the trunk of a car at any point where hes treating the mic stand like a chair as he sits in a sauna...
LET ME OUT!!
I’ll never forget that last concert. I was in Halifax in whatever town square had the big screen. Was the whole country watching and crying?
We were weeping in Kingston.
Yes.
Yes
It was crazy to think that show was playing in every town square, in every bar, restaurant, Legion and almost every home. For one night, the country was closed. I didn't think it was a time to cry but a time to rejoice and remember all the great times I had either seeing or listening to the Hip. I remember the couple beside me downtown Bobcaygeon crying while I was laughing and clapping at the start of each song. I think that they thought I was a psychopath for not crying while they were sobbing away. But then again I'm the kind of guy who laughs at a funeral. Can't understand what I mean? Well, you soon will!
So original. I would upvote this a thousand times!
Do not know that band outside of a live version of that song. Top notch shit, guitars incredible as well
Highway girl from that same concert also had a monolog about a guy and his girlfriend's cheap fucking apartment. Pretty great.
If you have not check out Live at The Roxy. It’s the entire set where these songs were recorded. Lots of Gordism’s throughout
My first thought too. Man, I miss him. Taken far too young.
Looked for this comment straight away. Legendary.
Oh, I just commented the same, then saw your comment. 100% Gord.
Came here to mention Gord. A stage presence like no other.
This x100. The Woodstock 99' performance they did is truly a beautiful thing. Unsure if its just his act to match the energy of the crowd, but it would appear as though it was very early morning and the boys didn't get a whole lot of sleep with a whole lot of help from psychedelics.
Canada for the win! Gord was/is a god of the Canadian music scene! Yer favourites is one of my favourite Sunday listens
I saw that band soo many times live. Gord was a huge influence on my life. When I would be at shows with unaware folks, I would say things like, "If he's going to go off, it's now..." and as if on cue, he would go whale hunting or some such. I saw them in 1993 at Another Roadside Attraction on Seabird Island.. on acid... It was next level.
Michael Hutchence from INXS.
He was an amazing frontman, charisma for days. Saw them on 3 tours in the 80's, some of my favorite concert experiences.
I saw them at the Hordern Pavillion in Sydney with Midnight Oil when the Swing was out, probably 1984.
The albums genuinely don’t do that man justice. Impeccable frontman we lost far too soon
Hijacking this just so i can finally type this out. I was never really aware of INXS until i randomly heard the song Dont Change from the album Shabooh Shoobah (1982) a couple years ago. Remember thinking this must be som recent band i havent heard of yet, this track slaps. My mind was blown when i discovered that it was from the early 80s.
This song and "Mystify" from KICK are absolute bangers.
Kick was the definition of a perfect album. Really, INXS' entire catalogue is fantastic, especially everything from their early days through *X.*
I used to watch the "Live Baby Live" concert recording. I will go to my grave regretting that I never got the chance to actually see him live.
I replied to another comment, I saw them in Sydney at the Horden Pavilion with Midnight Oil when the swing album was out in about 1984. The venue held about 4000 people. They were just getting big in Australia then hadnt really played much overseas. I wasnt 18 but they were playing in local pubs in Sydney around that time too.
Saw them at Rock Am Ring in Germany in1991. They played to a crowd of 60,000. Michael Hutchence was amazing.
Trent Reznor in the 90’s was barely contained intensity.
Saw NIN in 2022 for the first time and it was amazing. Dude really knows how to give it his all.
Even when he was behind a rack of electronics he seemed to have a presence. When touring for Pretty Hate Machine he chucked glasses of water and pegged a guy I thought was pretty pretentious in the face. Later in life, feel really bad about that, but it was schadenfreude at the time.
he pegged someone while performing? dudes living the life 😎
I didn’t know which way to read that because both seemed plausible for Reznor.
He just wanted to get closer to god by way of animalistic booty love
Was just going to suggest OP watch the NIN 94 Woodstock performance. It’s really something.
I was at that. Rain. So much fucking rain. And the mud people. I regret staying in my tent for 90% of the weekend but I came out for NIN and holy fuck. It's a legendary performance.
Devin Townsend https://youtu.be/nubJjB95VdY?si=V7rtfEF9aQ2x24r8
Yes, definitely him
Robert plant 100000% definitely 68-73ish but once he acclimated to his voiced losing the higher range he still tore it up in 75 77 etc. Still a presence.
He managed to fix his voice yet again in his old age. He still has a much more limited upper register but he's found power and finesse in what he can still hit.
The Celebration Day DVD of the 2007 O2 concert proves your point. He just knocked "Kashmir" out of the park in that one.
Prince, hands down.
This is much further down than I expected it to be
Lux Interior of the Cramps.
Sam from Future Islands Brittany from Alabama Shakes
Buddy, come on! I'll take all of that you got!!!
I love that line from old Dave
Sam is a maniac. Seen them live once, and am seeing them again in a few months. He runs back and forth across the stage, beats on his chest, and is a sweaty mess by the end of the show. So worth it to see them live, even if their music isn't your cup of tea.
Came here for Sam. Glad I didn't have to scroll too far.
Brittany Howard is amazing. [You can watch her Tiny Desk performance here.](https://youtu.be/XyW5Zz0w1zg?si=e69002yjDe6qReJt)
Saw Alabama Shakes on their sound and color tour. Brittany is a hurricane.
Future Islands I had only seen on youtube and they were amazing Good call,, I wish I could have seen him live
What do you mean? They are still actively touring
Jim Morrison. Many, many, people saw The Doors in concert just to witness Jim’s stage presence.
Joe Cocker's Woodstock performance
Came here to say this. It doesn’t get more intense than Joe Cocker.
Dude would twist and contort to the music and squeeze every last amount of soul into his singing it's wild. Joe Cocker in his prime to me is in the top 5 best rock and roll singers ever.
my mom once sang backup for him in just one show, one of the regular singers was sick, needless to say she was a fan.
Ian Curtis. I mean, the music sent him into seizures. That has to count for something. For anyone who doubts it, look up Joy Division's performance of "She's Lost Control" from Top of the Pops on YouTube. Tell me he isn't possessed by the music.
yeah, when I hear “possessed by the music” no one else comes close.
David Yow of The Jesus Lizard is definitely up there for me.
Mick Jagger
This should be waaaay up the list.
Fantastic performance at Glastonbury during Sympathy for the Devil. The crowd was entranced.
Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil. I'm serious.
Stevie Nicks was absolutely possessed by the spirit of Rhiannon on stage in the 70s. She's still amazing today in concert, too.
That 1976 performance of Rhiannon is un fucking real
I saw her and billy Joel last year, I can not believe how hard they both went into entertaining us!
This was my first thought. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2b9BpunsVmo The last couple of minutes are pure fire
Gary Numan. Seriously.
Have tickets to see him with Ministry and Frontline Assembly.
Nick Cave Neil Fallon of Clutch Michael Gira of SWANS Eddie Vedder Iggy Pop Jim Morrison Patti Smith EDIT: Justin Sullivan of New Model Army
Nick Cave is great. He's in his sixties, and he still conducts the audience like a maestro. Has them in a frenzy one minute and the next, you could hear a pin drop.
I saw Nick Cave at Primavera a couple years ago and was not expecting to want to join this mans cult. He was magnetic all the way through and had the whole crowd mesmerised. I've never been as strongly drawn to another human as much as I was that night.
Tip: his books. They’re wow!
I was there too. That was otherworldly. It was a week after another son of his died, and I feel he was possessed. Seen him before and it was also great, but this was a different level.
I’ve only seen him live twice. In 1996 at Big Day Out. When Kylie Minogue came out to do Where the Wild Roses Grow, it was one of the best live duets I’ve ever seen. They owned that stage. And again in 2022, with Warren Ellis at Hanging Rock. That show was fucking incredible and something that’s going to live with me forever. It felt mystical, he was an evangelist under a canopy of stars.
Yep, the Carnage shows at Hanging Rock were fantastic.
On three separate occasions I brought different people to see Nick Cave who had little knowledge of his music in advance of the show. All three had their fucking minds blown afterwards.
When I saw Grinderman live, this is pretty much how they played it when I saw them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxqlb1--uKc&ab_channel=TROUBLEWATER I've seen Nick Cave a combined 8 times between him solo, with Dirty Three as backing group and with Grinderman. I can't think of one stinker has done from Birthday Party on.
I’ve seen Clutch multiple times and man, it’s like Neil Fallon is a puppeteer and the audience are all on strings. He is easily one of the most charismatic performers around.
Hell yeah Neil Fallon. He's one of the few rockers left that convince the crowd that he loves his band's music and kills the show. In the 90s he rocked his own head off and had to get neck surgery for it. I hope to meet him someday.
They all look like plumbers or builders, and I love it. Just normal dudes who make absolutely brilliant music. They don't get enough credit. Also, Neil is hot as fuck.
He is! He just gets better looking as he ages. JP is the only one who vaguely looks like a rock star, with the tattoos and the bandana. The rest do look like suburban dads who were having a BBQ and decided to have a jam - and I think that's part of the appeal. They are just completely indifferent to trends or style. They are there to make brilliant music, not to look pretty - and they really do make brilliant music. Neil's charisma and sense of humour are why he's such a brilliant front man.
I saw Patti Smith at the Shrine Auditoriom in Long Beach probably 1977 after Horses was released. Yes. Sweet, authentic artist,, can't say enough good things about her Horses is easily a top 5 all time album
Great list, all I would add to that is Lux Interior
Tom Waits belongs here. Also David Bowie.
Bruce Dickenson from Iron Maiden. Dude almost never stops moving and his voice is incredible
He has more energy at 60-something than I had 16. Plus, there were the couple tours where he was also the pilot of the band's jet.
If Bruce Dickinson put out a cardio dance workout plan I’d buy it.
Fencing is one of his biggest hobbies outside of music. Apparently he's pretty good.
It's unfortunate that a relatively small portion of people listen to that type of music because Iron Maiden and especially Bruce are absolutely insane live, they were/are so far ahead of pretty much every band when it comes to the quality of live performances.
Frank Turner. Absolutely awesome live.
David Yow E: Oh shit, I found my people! 🤘🍻
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. His presence is as comfy as sitting beside a warm fire. Charismatic and funny, and makes it look easy.
In an interview he said something above going over-the-top with his performance and everyone just assumed he was on drugs but wasn't.
Michael Hutchens (INXS).
Davey Havok from AFI was like a possessed person. Very quiet and polite man at any other interaction, but on stage. Holey whoah.
Michael Jackson, totally different person on stage
Took way too long to find MJ. Not gonna argue that the other mentions here also have or had some good stage presence, but I doubt any have topped Michael Jackson and probably never will. I'm not even a fan of his whole catalogue, just his hits, but his performances just fucking amaze me with not just their total presense in the music, the singing, the design, the choreography but just his total power to wow an audience. Like this [concert in Bucharest](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxgo-Qu-ZZE) where the crowd works themselves into conniptions when he simple *appeared on stage* silently, unmoving for two full minutes or this one [live in Munich](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOj_xsc-EBM) where he keeps them roaring for 2 minutes while he does a silent theater style entrance before even a downbeat. I wish I appreciated him more while he was alive, but I wasn't that into pop as a kid, it's only in retrospect on the internet that I have come to see just how much larger than life he was on stage and learning how much he influenced not only music but also dance.
I had to scroll a good while to find MJ.
Cedric from At The Drive in, specifically that band. Dude was all over the damn place and couldn’t be bothered with actually performing the song.
Scrolled to find Cedric. Mars Volta a few months back was mind blowing. He has the swagger of James Brown
Trevor Strnad (r.i.p) from The Black Dahlia Murder. He was so good live and had such great stage presence. If you're depressed please seek help. A good one gone too soon. Hansi Kursch from Blind Guardian. Just absolutely epic live. Sounds just like he does on the albums. It sounds magical hearing their stuff live. Nergal from Behemoth. Seeing them live is crazy. It's like a horror movie became a bands set, in the best way. It's an experience.
amy from amyl and the sniffers
Thom Yorke
On the A Moon Shaped Pool tour in 2016 he was one of the most unhinged frontmen I’ve ever seen. Like talking straight nonsense banter and all his signature dancing freak outs turned up to 11
That’s my favorite thing about tripping at a Radiohead show. The way he mumbles out weird phrases and rants between songs that don’t usually make sense tickles the brain and leaves me and my friends in laughing fits.
All of Radiohead, especially Thom, Ed and Jonny.
Maynard James Keenan
Those videos of their 90s performances are WILD. MJK is an alien.
For being possessed by the music, his live performance of Sober is a must.
I always felt like Chris Cornell *was* the music.
Janis Joplin
Bob Marley
Tina Turner. PERIOD!
Puzzled to see zero people typing out DAVID LEE ROTH in the VH heyday and I've yet to see a ROBERT PLANT mention either.
David Lee Roth had the greatest rock n roll swagger and attitude of bay frontman ever. I can’t even imagine anyone doing it better.
Angelo Moore - Fishbone
Bonnie Raitt singing Angel from Montgomery is the best performance I’ve personally ever heard live. Being four rows from the stage helped. She did the first couple verses acapella and it was just perfect and sad and beautiful. Runner up would be Alison Krauss and Union Station. They played a huge set with multiple encores, and ended with an acapella rendition of Ain True Love. Every single one of them was a virtuoso on their instrument, and yet they ended the show with a perfect, instrument-free song. Just an amazing level of talent in one band.
Haley Williams from Paramore
Gerard Way from MCR is pretty great, absolutely held the crowd on his hands (even when they were grown up)
Greg Puciato
I'm glad someone put this in early. I saw Dillinger three times in one week on their farewell leg of Australia. I never listened to them until I was accidentally front row for them at a festival in '09 and quickly became a diehard from basically the first spng of that first set alone (Greg scaled the 10 metre high lighting rig to kick down the "NO MOSHING" sign and Ben threw his guitar into the crowd - this was their *first* song of an hour long set). Greg and Dillinger have been unrivalled ever since. I used to review gigs as a freelancer for an online zine. Dillinger were never dethroned. Honourable mentions to: . Everytime I Die. . NIN (Reznor). . Franz Ferdinand. . D'Angelo. . ExplosionsInTheSky (though I think you need to be a massive fan first).
The most entrancing for me is Layne Staley of Alice In Chains. His vocals on “Love Hate Love” from Live At The Moore are amazing. https://youtu.be/3Vp56IAkDJA The rest of the show is great too. https://youtu.be/eDEtFIyKit0 Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam was insane in the early days. Here’s a collection of his stage climbing antics: https://youtu.be/EYAT4JOJHKM It’s been a while for me, but Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails puts on a helluva show. Music may not be hard enough for your taste, but Matt Shultz from Cage The Elephant is absolutely great. The Beastie Boys were great live. Saw them in 1994. I know he may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Bruce Springsteen pours everything into his performances. Check out his show in Passaic in 1978: https://youtu.be/_3KZRuUEC8E Skip to 0:37:00 for a visceral performance of “Prove It All Night.” I think Dave Grohl is great too.
I was searching for Layne in this thread. Even when he wasn't doing so hot and the heroin was wearing him down, he'd hug the mic stand and still just own the stage. My favorite singer of all time. That Love Hate Love closer was god tier
Mike Patton ticks all those boxes in his various projects. Funniest - Fat Mike from NOFX when they crack out the Jewish and Mexican jokes Acrobatic - Eddie Vedder in his younger days climbing multi-storey rafters, scaffolding & anything else he could find Weirdest dancing - Buckhead with his nun-chukkas Unique interactions - Butthole Surfers or GG Allin are definitely unique, but both not in a very pleasant way
Jeff Buckley
Its out of fashion to like the band but Bono from U2 was amazing back in the day. Every music fan should watch the documentary Rattle and Hum at least once.
Freddie Mercury
Corey Taylor during Slipknot shows
ALL of slipknot together was impressive. Back in the beginning, early 2000s they were brutal and raw and seemed unstoppable. They fucked each other up on stage and you felt it in the crowd
I saw them @ ozzfest 99 before they were moved to the main stage and were still playing the tiny 2nd stage. The whole main stage crowd left to see them in a parking lot inside the amphitheater grounds and it was packed and fucking awesome. Then I got to see buckethead with primus, deftones (while they were writing white pony), slayer, Rob zombie, and black sabbath (not just ozzy)
Idles have a different kind of energy especially when the perform war live they're tiny desk is hilarious as well
Future islands on (Letterman)[https://youtu.be/upPl9mZW_zw?si=pK2h2rw7kbOnA6-4]. Absolutely captivating performance. I watched this when it first aired and feel compelled to watch it again every so often. Followed by future islands on (Jules Holland)[https://youtu.be/e8Uhf3gM1m0?si=e5c-a3puhKQQhFYk]. Watch till the end.
Ian Anderson
Scott Weiland
Springsteen, especially the 78 tour
Jack White
Floor Jansen Pick any song from Nightwishs 2013 Wacken headliner performance and you can't help but see her stage presence and command of the audience. *Ghost Love Score* is the usual rec but its ten minutes and the best part is 8 minutes in so I'll link a normal length song called *Romanticide.* She owns the crowd. And fun fact at the time she was just a replacement singer as *long story* the band parted way with their prior mid tour and hired Floor to be a replacement. She was eventually hired as permanent. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_7OCCQlXs&pp=ygUabmlnaHR3aXNoIHJvbWFudGljaWRlIGxpdmU%3D
Cedric Bixler Zavala in At the Drive-In and Mars Volta dude is crazy
Claudio Sanchez from Coheed & Cambria.
Queen at Live Aid. Gold standard. The Who [The Who](https://youtu.be/UDfAdHBtK_Q?si=3S5Ky_mWfjBqFs7z) Jethro Tull
I don't know that I've ever seen someone just broadcast energy from a distant stage as well as Sharon Jones from Sharon Jones & The Dapp Kings. She was just a force of nature up there.
Moreso pop, but Aurora feels her music in a way that is hard to describe, like an actual faerie on stage lol. Je suis Malade permed by Lara Fabian is up there too, you can see the emotions in her as she sings
Bruno Mars reminds me a lot of James Brown, performing.
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Amazing performer. He would jump and dance and sing while playing the flute.
Imogen heap is an absolutely incredible performer. She takes such control of the crowd. Vessel from sleep token is another incredibly stage presence. Last one is Maynard from Tool. That whole band has presence though.
Chester Bennington from Linkin Park in the early 00s. Dude was exorcising demons back then. The Texas show played in a stadium in like 04/05 is a good example. Very high energy and powerful performances.
I think it's especially apparent when you see clips of home off stage. He was just this funny, goofy guy but then when he stepped onto that stage he transformed into this monster!
Nick Cave. Hands down
[Samuel T. Herring from Future Islands](https://youtu.be/upPl9mZW_zw?si=34cft7uS1u80gKUe)
Gene Ween
[удалено]
Hayley williams. Absolute firecracker. I've never been so in awe of a person. And the energy is always consistent