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Musicians that are awful in their live performances.
- Thread starter ShamePain
- Start date
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fastford58
Member
Axl Rose sounds terrible live.
hawkshockey11
Banned
Brand New
Mostly because everyone won't shut the fuck up and let them sing their own songs. Everyone in the crowd screams the lyrics off key instead
oh and Cake sucks live
Mostly because everyone won't shut the fuck up and let them sing their own songs. Everyone in the crowd screams the lyrics off key instead
oh and Cake sucks live
FeenixRising
Banned
Pretty much anything after the Bad Tour.
The Bad Tour was godly. Minus the fact he lip synced most of Smooth Criminal and The Way You Make Me Feel... But at least he had a live band.
The Dangerous Tour was mostly sung live minus a few records, but the History Tour was pure atrocious . Dude had no energy on top of him lip syncing most of his dogs.
The Victory Tour however was great, his vocals weren't as good as they were in the Bad Tour bad his dancing was top notch .
Messofanego
Banned
Yup, but I'm not surprised cause tickets cost a pretty penny and you'd have to be only into a few bands to see the same ones multiple times. Or have lots of money and time.
storybook77
Member
Current Van Halen. David Lee Roth sucks.
Amentallica
Unconfirmed Member
XANDER CAGE
Member
It's weird, I was prepared for the worst when I saw them earlier this year but he actually sounded pretty great for most of the show. Nothing this tier of hilarious anyway, although I suppose they also didn't play this song (or really anything from the Remission/Leviathan/Blood Mountain/CTS era
)Lucian Cat
Kissed a mod for a tag; liked it
My answer would be Marilyn Manson. Seen him live 5 or 6 times and at least 50% of his shows were shit.
They probably suck now, but I saw them as a teenager on their MC tour and it was amazing.
Lots of hate for Dragonforce. I saw them live in May when they opened for Kamelot, and they kicked ass!! They nailed every song & the singer was the best metal vocalist I've ever heard live, and I've seen Maiden with Bruce Dickinson. After they played, half the venue left when Kamelot started and they were the headliners lol. Just my experience.
IceBringer
Banned
They were amazing back in 07. But that was when they still had Frusciante sooo...
RedNumberFive
Banned
I'm going to likely get some shit for it, but Sonic Youth was god-awful. It was the Washing Machine tour, so they were well past their prime, but it was garbage. Thank god Stereolab opened for them and salvaged the evening.
Neither could I, I thought it was an issue with the sound, but maybe not.
Killer Queen
Banned
Dave Mustaine could never sing, you get used to it and I don't think anyone listens to Megadeth for vocals anyway.
Also ??? At Slipknot being bad live.
the three of them audition for certain parts of the song then as a collective choose who sounds best for that part.
Stairouais
Member
Naaah.
Years & Years. Love their music but the lead singer cannot sing live for sh!t.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4NlCKfIw2A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4NlCKfIw2A
MultiJhonny
Banned
Brand New is actually pretty great live but I totally agree with you on this. And this goes for all bands. I mean it is cool when people sing along for like a song or two and really get into it but when it is like the entire show as it seems with them it becomes horrible. I paid to see the band not to have the entire crowd sing along
One reason why I love Sigur Ros shows. Not only do they have an amazing show but since no one really knows what they are saying no one can sing along!
Feel the Swift
Member
Convinced you didn't see Jack White live.
Can't say I'm really a fan of their music but I've always appreciated that raw, honest energy that comes out of that band. They seem to have more of a genuine connection with the fans than a lot of other bands.
Well, Hetfield's voice has often sounded like a dying animal in the last decade or so. But yeah, they still can put on a show.
March of the Crabs
Member
I got your joke, don't worry man!
NOFX is so god damn fun as a live band though but that's a topic for the other thread.
theusedversion
Member
Lol. Dude...
thezerofire
Banned
Skrillex played Duck Pond and I didn't even know? I was camped two blocks from thereUm no, Skrillex is the bomb live. I've seen him at least 6 times that I can think of. He's fearless on stage, musically. It's pretty awesome. Here he is this summer playing in a dusty old tent for a crowd of ~100 (I was there).
My vote for worst goes to Lauryn Hill. What a trainwreck. I don't normally have a problem with a performer being drunk/high on stage, but not if it impairs their performance. Lauryn just takes it to the next level, insulting the crowd, long pauses between songs to rant, forgetting lyrics, off key, etc. So awful.
Genius songwriter horrible live singer. There is a reason his best songs are known through their more succesfull covers.
Interesting. Was it supposed to be a temporary thing, or a more long-term/permament James LaBrie-like situation?
eddievanclaylen
Member
Dimmu Borgir.
Saw them on the Abracadabra tour, right after they fired Mustis and Hellhammer (pretty sure Vortex was gone too)
It was 2 guys and a drummer playing to backup tracks.
And, they were dressed in all white! Lame!
Saw them on the Abracadabra tour, right after they fired Mustis and Hellhammer (pretty sure Vortex was gone too)
It was 2 guys and a drummer playing to backup tracks.
And, they were dressed in all white! Lame!
Sparrowhawk
Member
This right here.
Shaun Ryder performing DARE with the Gorillaz, obviously drunk out of his mind. What was he thinking?
Shaun Ryder performing DARE with the Gorillaz, obviously drunk out of his mind. What was he thinking?
akachan ningen
Member
lol the AC concert I went to was nothing like that
I walked out of Mastodon last year after they butchered Oblivion (about 3 songs in)
It was heartbreaking for me.
Others?
I see Animal Collective mentioned, I've seen them about 3 or 4 times, and they have progressively improved (Last time I saw them during Centipede Hz where the setlist was quite short, but it was really tight and they played a song off water curses which was unexpected), but the first time was just all round shit.
Avey Tare was ill, and instead of cancelling they decided to play on. This was when Deakin was AWOL (Strawberry Jam), so it was Panda Bear and Geologist. There were technical problems and they didn't actually come on stage till about 10.30pm. What did we get? super fast versions of Non-PB songs and super extended versions of PB songs. They did a version of Chores that lasted about ten minutes. I mean I like Chores, but come on. I ended up having to leave because I'd miss the last train home otherwise, I would have much preferred if they had rescheduled.
Bloc Party are usually pretty great live, and I've seen them about 8 times, but the very last time (Four Tour) they were really disappointing. It was the most bizarre set list ever. They ignored numerous big hits (The Prayer, Two More Years, Waiting For The 7.18) and played fucking Flux and Sunday. Set was also surprisingly short, and like I say it wasn't like they ran out of material. I'm seeing them this year, half worried because of the new lineup and the new single being pretty weak. This could be the last time :'(
Can I count Deerhunter? I have bought tickets to see them twice and they've cancelled both times. Maybe the gig this year will be the one they actually turn up!
I did meet Bradford Cox on the day of the one gig in the last 5 years I didn't get tickets for, it was when Radiohead were handing out the king of limb newspapers. I saw him in the queue for one in Glasgow. He said he'd put me on the guest list but I didn't test the theory because I was certain he'd forget and I didn't live in the city so I just didn't take the risk unfortunately.
I saw QOTSA last year and it wasn't the greatest. Not a shit gig, but yeah, just average. I had a lot of expectation, even though I kind of read about them being inconsistent.
What about gigs where the performance was good but other factors ruined it? I saw Bat For Lashes in Edinburgh in 2012 and brought my friend along. He did not listen to anything by her beforehand and ended up hating the gig, clearly tripping throughout. That already put me off. Matters got worse when some middle aged woman started groping me during the performance. I feel a lot of things during a BfL gig, but sexiness is not one of them. I saw her in Glasgow two days later and it was much better, thankfully.
Also strangest thing you've seen at a gig?
Has to be Mogwai for me, I've seen a woman masturbate during the set. I've seen this more than once (pretty sure it was the same woman)
Man, that really sucks to hear. Not a big fan of Mastodon anymore but I seen them a decade ago on their Leviathan tour and it was fucking killer. Hearts Alive live is probably one of the best live experiences I've had.
They still play plenty of Lonerism and Innerspeaker stuff in recent shows. I still feel like Tame Impala are yet to hit their peak, although it's going to be tough topping Lonerism - fingers crossed
Yeah man it was tough, but I'll always have their albums.
LegionX
Member
surprised nobody has mentioned Meatloaf yet, this was quite a famous performance in Australia back in 2011 (for all the wrong reasons obviously)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZdiaFXW2U8&feature=player_detailpage#t=355
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZdiaFXW2U8&feature=player_detailpage#t=355
I dunno, I really don't think Jesse can sing at all. I'm yet to find a live performance where he seems anywhere near the albums. When I saw them I just thought they were a disappointment.
peteykirch
Member
Funny, I saw them live earlier in the year around May, and they were absolutely phenomenal.
I mean it's not like Frank Black was telling stories between each song, but there was definite intensity and energy when they played.
I've seen musicians sleep walk through performances before, first one that comes to mind is Lenny Kravitz.
.
Shaun Ryder fucked on stage? Why i never!
If you go to see Shaun Ryder the least you expect is for him to be out of his head.
I'd be disappointed if he wasn't.
I remembered another one. I saw Pere Ubu at some festival. I was not the biggest fan beforehand but I did like a couple of their songs. The lead singer, who is a really old man these days, was a massive asshole. Yelling and demeaning the sound techs, bitching at his band mates (who all were nice and seemed embarrassed), shitty vocals and sitting down mid performance out of breath, and insulting the crowd and ranting about the meaningless of performing for an audience. So art. So brave.
It was literally the manifestation of Old Man Yells at Cloud.That guy is just a douche. Really put me off the band.
It was literally the manifestation of Old Man Yells at Cloud.That guy is just a douche. Really put me off the band.
Sparrowhawk
Member
I've honestly never seen or heard of him outside of DARE, but upon further investigation, you guys are absolutely right lol. This is hilarious.
Give the film 24 Hour Party People a watch.
Evo Shandor
Member
Blink 182 was fucking horrible live.
Sum 41 was bad.
Bob Dylan was disappointing. At least his band was amazing and I enjoyed that they played very different arrangements of some of his classics.
Theory of a Dead man opened for someone, and they were atrocious. The singer's voice sounded nothing at all like the album. Also, stage presence does not equal throwing picks to the crowd every fifteen seconds.
Sum 41 was bad.
Bob Dylan was disappointing. At least his band was amazing and I enjoyed that they played very different arrangements of some of his classics.
Theory of a Dead man opened for someone, and they were atrocious. The singer's voice sounded nothing at all like the album. Also, stage presence does not equal throwing picks to the crowd every fifteen seconds.
I'm just going to preface this - I don't believe anyone is wrong in their experience of seeing someone bad and have a right to call said bands out. I also have not seen hardly any of these bands live, but I have witnessed truly awful musicians live at really small gigs (my own bands included) so I think a bit of perspective might be warrented
But..
ITT a lot of people are:
- Blaming bands for terrible sound engineering and poor venue equipment (which can destroy the ability to even be able to perform live)
- Being upset that bands don't sound like they do on albums (that's not a great mind set for watching live bands, they have no obligation to play your favourite songs and are fully entitled to mess around with styles and approaches to songs)
- Being surprised that some bands being a bit too drunk or wasted to play perfectly on stage (some that are even notorious for being so)
- Being surprised that over-the-hill bands sound terrible (voices go, dexterity worsens, playing the same 20 songs for 30 odd years sucks as a performer)
- Forgetting crowds often massively affect a bands performance, if the crowd is dead and the atmosphere is shit the band will probably be as well (I'm not saying they don't have a responsibility to get the crowd into it and some bands are very good at transforming a crowd)
- Musicians are mostly delicate flowers or arseholes who sing about fucked up things happening in their life, sometimes they will have an off day due to experiences outside of the gig itself
Just my two cents, and anyone can rightly tell me to shut up. But one bad gig does not make a band bad live, it means they had a bad night.
But..
ITT a lot of people are:
- Blaming bands for terrible sound engineering and poor venue equipment (which can destroy the ability to even be able to perform live)
- Being upset that bands don't sound like they do on albums (that's not a great mind set for watching live bands, they have no obligation to play your favourite songs and are fully entitled to mess around with styles and approaches to songs)
- Being surprised that some bands being a bit too drunk or wasted to play perfectly on stage (some that are even notorious for being so)
- Being surprised that over-the-hill bands sound terrible (voices go, dexterity worsens, playing the same 20 songs for 30 odd years sucks as a performer)
- Forgetting crowds often massively affect a bands performance, if the crowd is dead and the atmosphere is shit the band will probably be as well (I'm not saying they don't have a responsibility to get the crowd into it and some bands are very good at transforming a crowd)
- Musicians are mostly delicate flowers or arseholes who sing about fucked up things happening in their life, sometimes they will have an off day due to experiences outside of the gig itself
Just my two cents, and anyone can rightly tell me to shut up. But one bad gig does not make a band bad live, it means they had a bad night.
I'm into tons of bands. I have seen 1 band 14 times, and another around 7 times.
I've had pretty much the same experience.
Moving Mountains opened for Thrice in Richmond (Nov. 2011) and I was kinda bummed. Just wanted their set to be over so we could get to Thrice.
I suppose Brand New and Thrice concerts could really depend on the crowd. Saw Brand New in Raleigh back in May and the crowd was the worst. Enjoyed their performance in spite of the drunken lyrical slurs from the crowd.
PolarBearsClub
Member
They've actually gotten worse live in recent years.
Yeah, this was great, haha.
That's what they sounded like in 2002-2003 when it was just Panda Bear and Avey. It was representative of the music they were making at the time.
EDIT: and Deerhunter is pretty fucking awesome live in concert. They can and will sound exactly like the record (if they want to) but will also get super crazy with the noise. "Nothing Ever Happened" was amazing in a small setting.
Closer Two
Member
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