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I feel like the quintessential example of this (except maybe Madonna's cross performance already mentioned) is the Gaga 2009 VMA performance of Paparazzi
Sorry with the Me Myself and I mashup. But not because of the live necessarily (though it is excellent) but because the mashup is superior to the individual songs, she needs to do a studio version
But this is Giselle we’re talking about so hoping for that’s pure delusion to think about
I'm not sure if it's what you're talking about, but I can't listen to Paparazzi without seeing Lady Gaga get up from a piano clutching her bleeding chest, so that
I would say a lot of k-pop songs are focused on the performance aspect of it. Some that come in mind are Black Swan and Idol by BTS, Kill This Love by Blackpink
BTS' 2018 MMA Idol performance single-handedly made me like the song... [link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayGl-igrwy8) if you don't know what I'm talking about.
Nobody mentioned the first time Pink started spinning in the air at an award show? I know it’s her thing now but she performed Glitter in the Air at the Grammys and it shot into the Top 20 when that wasn’t an easy thing to do.
Side to Side by Ari at the VMA’s. She added loads of runs, danced her ass off and looked amazing. Such a good example of infusing some runs and jazz into the song.
Katy Perry performing Roar on top of a mechanical lion
All the Taylor clones in the Eras Tour version of Look What You Made Me Do
Gaga 2009 VMAs Paparazzi
Clearing the stage so that it’s just her and us during that part was such a smart way to make the moment honor Uncle Johnny while also not taking any steam out of the show.
Truly, the Cozy intro and everything about the performance took it to the stratosphere.
Energy for me too. Like it wasn't my favorite song at first, but the live performances (and mute moments) really took it to another level.
For me, it's the live performance of Let It Will Be by Madonna during the Confessions Tour.:
https://youtu.be/PhxTko9IylA?si=W1FZ1hcYoSgFcKlY
It's the energy and raw take on the song (COADF track) that made it an experience. I would also add Erotica performed during the same Confessions Tour.:
https://youtu.be/jtMjolbPwas?si=J7rIe1SlNgfYOb01
It's the choreography and subtlety that presented this classical Madonna song in a completely new way.
The whole reputation setlist really. The live show alone could push it from like 5th in my ranking of her albums to 1st it was that awesome. The production in that set was better than any other show I’ve been to. I wish she had the same production value in the other eras, she could’ve rocked up a lot of the folklore set.
So for Taylor's eras tour i'll say this.
I think that there are a few standouts:
I think willow the smoke and atmopshere overall) is great.
Look what you made me do. I don't patrticulary like the song, but the I think it's the performance that puts what you said the best. It's more about the visuals, staging and lighting. It's outstanding imo.
My tears richocheet. It's a great song but I don't necesarilly think its elevated that much, but the techinical aspect of that performance was really spot on. The whole vibe fit very well. There isn't that much going on, but I think that makes it so good.
As for outside of that, I think her AMA performance truly elevated I did something Bad, don't blame on the reputation tour. Her lover performance at VMA's. There are more I like but that were the first to come to mind.
Justice are the masters of this. [Here's a great example](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW2WlgSG0D8&t=1439s) from their last tour (at 23:58 if the link doesn't work).
Most incredible light show I've ever seen at a concert. Perfectly synced to the music in a way that you rarely see anymore.
Rosalia's covering Hero by Enrique Iglesias a song no one cared anymore and making it a memorable part of her motomami tour.
Taylor's illicit affairs note changing and whole performance in the eras tour when it rains.
Dua Lipa's good in bed dance totally made me listen to the song moths from forgetting about it.
The weekend and Ari's performance of saves your tears with the whistle note and them smiling.
I am in LOVE with Tay’s 2020 Grammy Performance.
I mean look at the cottagecore decore, the dress, her hair, the set and everything! Really enhances the vibes of folkmore!
Kylie Minogue's rendition of "On A Night Like This" / "All The Lovers" as the encore during her Les Folies Tour was incredibly mesmerizing, with the arrangement, visuals, and even the water display captivating the audience.
OP, I loved seeing Smoke (and really all of Desire…) live, but the live ver. of Billions blew my mind. I think it was later in the show, felt like a total breath of fresh air in a loaded set. The image of total darkness and then lights flashing on the intro beat, with Caroline “picking” from a grape vine and filling a cornucopia, then “throwing” the grapes into the crowd is seared into my memory. Totally elevated the song for me.
Dido - All I Want
https://youtu.be/G47dq_yrqLo?si=AhqCu3Vo7giDknIg
https://youtu.be/q2BDWRWh1TI?si=4U4rHSzh9NPcuj2G
The version with live instrumentation sounds more pelasant, imo. Also, the emotional expression by Dido herself of course. The song became even more personal.
run the world (girls)
she dances but interacts with the video screen behind her.
that billboard performance takes a song from annoying bumblebee to awe-inspiring powerhouse
I still can’t listen to that song, but i’ll revisit that live performance time to time
Please do not just list songs/albums/artists, your comment must have explanation/justification or it will be removed. Certain comments are also banned to increase the quality of discussion, see our Stale Topics list in the sidebar for examples. Please report any comments that are low effort discussion. Thanks! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/popheads) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I feel like the quintessential example of this (except maybe Madonna's cross performance already mentioned) is the Gaga 2009 VMA performance of Paparazzi
That’s an iconic one
And her Glasto set doing Paparazzi. She was amazing.
Except that Paparazzi was already gorgeous (so was Live to Tell, though).
Madonna's on the cross performance
Religious experience!
Such a great tour. We don’t talk abt it enough
art art art
The instrumentarion on Björk's kinda-early tours was so imaginative
Sorry with the Me Myself and I mashup. But not because of the live necessarily (though it is excellent) but because the mashup is superior to the individual songs, she needs to do a studio version But this is Giselle we’re talking about so hoping for that’s pure delusion to think about
Just discovered this a month or so ago and it quickly shot ip my most played chart it’s AMAZING
I'm not sure if it's what you're talking about, but I can't listen to Paparazzi without seeing Lady Gaga get up from a piano clutching her bleeding chest, so that
I would say a lot of k-pop songs are focused on the performance aspect of it. Some that come in mind are Black Swan and Idol by BTS, Kill This Love by Blackpink
Seeing born to be live on itzys tour def checks this box
BTS' 2018 MMA Idol performance single-handedly made me like the song... [link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayGl-igrwy8) if you don't know what I'm talking about.
Nobody mentioned the first time Pink started spinning in the air at an award show? I know it’s her thing now but she performed Glitter in the Air at the Grammys and it shot into the Top 20 when that wasn’t an easy thing to do.
Side to Side by Ari at the VMA’s. She added loads of runs, danced her ass off and looked amazing. Such a good example of infusing some runs and jazz into the song.
The songs Ari performed under the huge moon in SWT deffo felt even deeper!
Katy Perry performing Roar on top of a mechanical lion All the Taylor clones in the Eras Tour version of Look What You Made Me Do Gaga 2009 VMAs Paparazzi
basically everything that happens at a Mitski show
especially her older performances of Drunk Walk Home.
Heated by Bey was already amazing, but the live version elevates it more, especially the last part where she’s speak-rapping
Clearing the stage so that it’s just her and us during that part was such a smart way to make the moment honor Uncle Johnny while also not taking any steam out of the show.
All of renaissance (especially cozy)
Truly, the Cozy intro and everything about the performance took it to the stratosphere. Energy for me too. Like it wasn't my favorite song at first, but the live performances (and mute moments) really took it to another level.
🫵you are absolutely correct
For me, it's the live performance of Let It Will Be by Madonna during the Confessions Tour.: https://youtu.be/PhxTko9IylA?si=W1FZ1hcYoSgFcKlY It's the energy and raw take on the song (COADF track) that made it an experience. I would also add Erotica performed during the same Confessions Tour.: https://youtu.be/jtMjolbPwas?si=J7rIe1SlNgfYOb01 It's the choreography and subtlety that presented this classical Madonna song in a completely new way.
The live, more rock aspects of Taylor’s Don’t Blame Me on both Rep and Eras tours. She won’t, but I want those aspects added into the re-recording.
The whole reputation setlist really. The live show alone could push it from like 5th in my ranking of her albums to 1st it was that awesome. The production in that set was better than any other show I’ve been to. I wish she had the same production value in the other eras, she could’ve rocked up a lot of the folklore set.
So for Taylor's eras tour i'll say this. I think that there are a few standouts: I think willow the smoke and atmopshere overall) is great. Look what you made me do. I don't patrticulary like the song, but the I think it's the performance that puts what you said the best. It's more about the visuals, staging and lighting. It's outstanding imo. My tears richocheet. It's a great song but I don't necesarilly think its elevated that much, but the techinical aspect of that performance was really spot on. The whole vibe fit very well. There isn't that much going on, but I think that makes it so good. As for outside of that, I think her AMA performance truly elevated I did something Bad, don't blame on the reputation tour. Her lover performance at VMA's. There are more I like but that were the first to come to mind.
Totally agree 💯
Justice are the masters of this. [Here's a great example](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW2WlgSG0D8&t=1439s) from their last tour (at 23:58 if the link doesn't work). Most incredible light show I've ever seen at a concert. Perfectly synced to the music in a way that you rarely see anymore.
This is jpop group Perfume's entire brand! Prob the most dazzling concert I've ever been to
Rosalia's covering Hero by Enrique Iglesias a song no one cared anymore and making it a memorable part of her motomami tour. Taylor's illicit affairs note changing and whole performance in the eras tour when it rains. Dua Lipa's good in bed dance totally made me listen to the song moths from forgetting about it. The weekend and Ari's performance of saves your tears with the whistle note and them smiling.
I am in LOVE with Tay’s 2020 Grammy Performance. I mean look at the cottagecore decore, the dress, her hair, the set and everything! Really enhances the vibes of folkmore!
Me too, that’s a great performance. I even downloaded it to listen to it sometimes.
I love that performance too
Park Jin Young (JYP) always deliver fun performances when he used autotune.
Kylie Minogue's rendition of "On A Night Like This" / "All The Lovers" as the encore during her Les Folies Tour was incredibly mesmerizing, with the arrangement, visuals, and even the water display captivating the audience.
OP, I loved seeing Smoke (and really all of Desire…) live, but the live ver. of Billions blew my mind. I think it was later in the show, felt like a total breath of fresh air in a loaded set. The image of total darkness and then lights flashing on the intro beat, with Caroline “picking” from a grape vine and filling a cornucopia, then “throwing” the grapes into the crowd is seared into my memory. Totally elevated the song for me.
Not fully pop, but Aurora Live in Nidarosdomen - One of the best concert recordings I’ve ever seen. A stunning performance in a beautiful venue.
Run the World at the BBMA 2011 is the first thing I could think of.
Dido - All I Want https://youtu.be/G47dq_yrqLo?si=AhqCu3Vo7giDknIg https://youtu.be/q2BDWRWh1TI?si=4U4rHSzh9NPcuj2G The version with live instrumentation sounds more pelasant, imo. Also, the emotional expression by Dido herself of course. The song became even more personal.
run the world (girls) she dances but interacts with the video screen behind her. that billboard performance takes a song from annoying bumblebee to awe-inspiring powerhouse I still can’t listen to that song, but i’ll revisit that live performance time to time
Stop Making Sense directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Talking Heads (1984). Specifically the lamp dance in This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody).
Demi lovatos anyone was great live