Okay, so what are some of [in your opinions] the greatest examples of explosive stage presence in a concert?
This can be singers, guitarists, drummers, whatever. Anyone who has absolutely explosive stage presence.
To start, here are a few [less definitive] examples of some great stage presence.
1. James Brown [James, Fekkin, Brown. Amen brother.] Link
Why: It's James Brown. Why else?
2. The Who [Often cited as being the greatest live band ever. Can't leave them out, right? XD] Link
Why: Just look at all the members. Keith Moon has insane energy and is going off like a monkey let out of a cage for the first time. Townsend is windmilling like crazy. John 'Fekkin Thunderfingers' Entwhistle might be all aloof and stoic seeming, but his is a quiet intensity; Just watch his fingers and listen to those crazy bass riffs, Then there's Roger Daltrey who's going nuts and swinging his mic around like a medieval flail. Epic.
3. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith [Couldn't find the video that I was really looking for, but I found this.] Link
Why: He's got soul and he shows it. Just look how the crowd gets into it and LULZ @ the chick crying while singing along near the beginning. Okay, so it's not his best example, but I couldn't find the clip I wanted of him performing Dream On in I think it was an '87 or '88 Tour.
So what's your favorite picks and why?
Edited by: Ice_Blue_Eyes at October 28, 2009, 10:30pm
"Who overcomes By force, hath overcome but half his foe." -Paradise Lost
"I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
-Voltaire
Gene Hoglan's fat ass absolutely blew my mind performed the inaugural Sounds of the Underground tour, he subed for Opeth and breezed through that shit and made strapping young lad look fucking simple, I mean it looked like he could be drumming, took a shit in the morning and was enjoying the paper just fucking chillin, you couldn't tell. Strapping Young Lad is a lot of things and easy to play isn't one of them. I don't really like slipknot, but they put on a hell of a show, Pantera twice in Texas, I think they gave it their best when they played in Texas, the whole band. Slayer Divine Intervention tour is my all time favourite, Kerry King is a monster of a guitar player.
Edited by: rifferation
at November 07, 2009, 11:35pm
"Seeing Rob Zombie in Boston was amazing he has one of the best stage shows out there. "
I just saw him a few weeks back and I gotta say that time hasn't been kind. His vocals were lacking, he was out of breath and only singing every other word or leaving out entire lines. He's lost his touch. ALSO he took about 5 minutes to bitch and moan about how he hated being in White Zombie before playing Thunderkiss '65.
You guys want good stage presence? Whether you like the music or not, Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley from Sunn absolutely mesmerize everyone in the audience when they play. I've seen them several times and every time is like a religious experience.
as far as stage presence goes, it is hard for me to decide right now
I've seen Rob Zombie twice, and he is bad ass. His live at ozzfest clip was funny. He was making fun of the crowd's body odor
I've yet to see Alice Cooper, but I'm sure he is amazing!
hmm.... I saw Lita Ford once, and that was fucking wicked! She did a festival for a city in Illinois. Her kids were watching from the side of the stage, and her husband was doing a lot of backing vocals. Bumble foot was playing second guitar, and I forgot who the bass player was, but he has been in other bands too. Lita Ford is a bad ass guitar player, and she was feisty when a fool in the crowd started to heckle her.
Yeah, my pick is Lita Ford. oh, and Ozzy fucking Osbourne! Love seeing that guy w/ sabbath, or doing his own songs.
When I was at Ozzfest in 2005, I was impressed with As I Lay Dying's stage presence. I'm not a big fan of their music, but they really know how to work a crowd. Inbetween each song, they would give a challenge to the audience, and while they played, the crowd tried to accomplish that goal.
I also saw Mudvayne there. Just the novelty of dressing in random outfits really brings a show to life, especially if the outfits are different at each show. That way it's a unique experience for everyone, and helps you remember the show. For example, I couldn't tell you what the lead singer fo Shadows Fall was wearing, but I sure as hell know Mudvayne's singer was wearing a gorilla suit with a bowler cap.
Iron maiden played that same show, and all of their presence relied on changing the stage around. I wasn't impressed.
I think we can all learn something from every perfomers. Like for one thing I don't like Gorgoroth's music but what I appreciate about their singer's stage presence is that he intimidates/wows without doing any of the flashy shit. His just being there definitely enough to incite feelings in people. On the other side of the spectrum people like George Clinton definitely teach me to have fun on stage and be yourself.
stage presence and audience reaction means very little to me. some of the most intoxicating sets I've ever seen (and preformed) have been met with absolutely zero applause.
Freddy Mercury at Live Aid - a huge multi-band fundraiser gig in 1985; perhaps the biggest concert ever - watch how he controls and owns the crowd; especially after he leaves the piano after Bohemian Rhapsody. Queen blew away every other band.
I totally agree that Freddie Mercury had stage presence, maybe more than anyone ever will. But...
...then again, the stage presence is also related to the music; if you play shoegaze-kinda music it would only look stupid and hilarious if the bandmembers were jumping around the place like stagemonkeys
"The first kiss cuts the deepest, and the bleeding never stops..."
I've seen hundreds and hundreds of artists/bands play live and Queen (when I was very young) topped the lot ... Freddie Mercury was like a cool slinky panther on the stage ... So many other people try tooooo hard (screaming, waving hands around, jumping around like desperate monkeys) whereas Mercury just *had it*; presence.
Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil was also always amazing - 7ft tall skinhead giant jumping around all over the place ... This doesn't really capture it but gives an idea:
Another master is David Bowie ... He can do all the moves of course, trained in theatre and dance, but even when he's sitting on a chair with a guitar he has the presence -
Beyond sub life
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