Ranking music has always been a great struggle for me (ranking anything is hard to be honest). It still is so don’t expect this list of favourite live performances to be a walk in the park for me. But I wanted to have something different during this 10 days and I figured a music break will fit perfectly! Since songs are so hard for me to rank, I figured live performances of songs I love will be a lot easier to muster. I was of course wrong but hey, at least I tried. Here are 10 of my favourite live performances I’ve seen that blew my mind.
Disclaimer: I probably forgot to mention a good song, I’m pretty sure I did.
Honorable mentions: No Time to Die by Billie Eilish at Brit Awards, 2020 / Adore You by Harry Styles at Graham Norton Show, 2019 / Outnumbered by Dermot Kennedy at Jimmy Kimmel Live!
10. MILLION REASONS BY LADY GAGA / DIVE BAR TOUR, 2016
It was a difficult choice between this and Shallow’s performance during the Oscars but eventually, this one just barely nabs its place here. Not usually fond of country music but you’ll see two country songs in this list,
9. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT BY P!NK / WEMBLEY ARENA, 2011
This is such a powerful song and for some reason it has stayed with me for years. P!nk has had a lot of great live-performances, yet this is the one that I always remember.
8. PIECE BY PIECE BY KELLY CLARKSON / AMERICAN IDOL FAREWELL SEASON, 2016
I don’t follow Clarkson’s career and had never heard of this song before this live performance. That is why this song is not higher on the list even though it’s mad skill showcased here from both Clarkson and the piano guy. Safe to say I love the live performance over the original.. also safe to say I cry every time I watch this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuunqfdz388
7. SLIDE AWAY BY MILEY CYRUS / VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS, 2019
Say what you want about her personal life and her “crazy phase” but Miley Cyrus can sing. After she ended her marriage with Liam Hemsworth she released a meaningful single. I like the song, I like its live-performance with the black&white effect too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e80tK8DHVtM
6. RADIOACTIVE BY IMAGINE DRAGONS / TALLINN, ESTONIA 2016
Okay, this one is a bit of a cheat because I don’t have a broadcasting quality live performance of this. But since I was there in the audience, and there’s a version of it online, I figured I’d throw it in here. By the way, I wasn’t a fan of Imagine Dragons before the concert but I was one after it!
5. LOVE ON THE BRAIN BY RIHANNA / BILLBOARD AWARDS, 2016
For me Rihanna is a hit and miss live. I think she got a lot stronger with her live-performances after she moved on from the pop genre. Therefore this is one of her strongest performance for me. Just super emotional and so raw, I love it.
4. SIGN OF THE TIMES BY HARRY STYLES / GRAHAM NORTON SHOW, 2017
Tempted to add most of his live-performances in here because honestly, Harry Styles is amazing live! He’s the kind of artist that has bathed in the “true performer” pool. And I can’t wait to see him live… I hope this happens.
3. SOMEONE LIKE YOU BY ADELE / BRIT AWARDS, 2011
It’s been almost 10 years and this song, this performance.. it still gives me chills and it never gets old. I also realised that I like those sad songs by amazing British singers.
2. FALLING BY HARRY STYLES / BRIT AWARDS, 2020
It took so much strength not to but this first but considering the fact that it’s so fresh, I just need to let it simmer a bit. But this will remain a favourite for many-many years, I’m 120% certain of that.
1. WITHOUT FEAR BY DERMOT KENNEDY / BERLIN, 2019
It’s no surprise that Dermot Kennedy tops the list. Hard to pick a favourite since his entire concert in Edinburgh was amazing. Why? Well, I was there. That simple. So while I don’t have a clip to show you from that, I will just share this performance here. And now imagine you’re basically in first row, looking up at him and being like.. sing to my soul!
10 For 10 is Mettel Ray’s 10th Blogiversary celebration series where I post 10 random Top 10 lists during 10 days from May 1st to May 10th.
Pink is an incredible performer. I’m always in awe when I see videos of her live shows.
Harry Styles sounds better live than he does in studio. It’s like they always try to make his voice sound higher, but it sounds better lower and rougher around the edges.
I love that video of Adele too. Her performances are always so simple and her voice does all the work.
I still haven’t seen that Falling performance because I’M AFRAID TO. I’d also not go to the concert because I’d definitely die if he made an eye contact with me and/or much younger chicks would trample me
This is a really cool list. I could never imagine ranking anything in regard to music, but I’m glad **you** did. Your number one was really good, though…if I can be honest…I’ve never heard of that dude. Lovely song, though.
Styles’ voice in your #2 is great. That dude is talented as Hell.
But if I had to rank these, I don’t think I could anyone here above that Adele performance. My God she destroys EVERYTHING.
Kelly Clarkson is an incredible performer, especially live. I saw her in concert twice… once at a state fair and then much later when she was playing bigger venues. No recording studio magic needed for her at all. She can sing and she’s so personable.
I think I actually prefer Styles’s live performances over the studio ones to be honest! He sounds amazing. Great list!