Katy Perry gets a lot of flack for her live performances, plain and simple. Sometimes, she deserves the criticism, but if you do some research, you'll find that she is actually a very good live performer! For this challenge, I have selected three of my favorite performances by her.
This has been my favorite Katy Perry performance ever since it first aired back in February of 2011. I had fallen in love with her after the release of Teenage Dream and I was so excited to see her perform. She definitely did not disappoint; she gave a beautiful vocal, looked absolutely gorgeous, and it was overall a very entertaining performance.
My favorite moments include the footage of Katy and Russell's wedding playing during "Not Like the Movies", the "Teenage Dream" choreography, and Nicole Kidman singing along during "Teenage Dream". The staging was similar to the way the songs were performed during her tour, so seeing this performance reminds me of her show in Tampa that I went to.
I could have picked from an endless list of great Katy Perry acoustic performances: The One That Got Away at the AMAs, I Kissed a Girl on MTV Unplugged*, Thinking of You on Letterman, etc... the list goes on. All great performances. I chose Firework on Ellen because it is such a departure from the original. She performed the smash hit several times on various awards shows, but got a lot of criticism for not sounding great. It's a hard song to sing! But she finally got it right with this performance.
She looks beautiful and sounded really great. It's a beautiful arrangement that I haven't heard anywhere else and I think it makes the song even more empowering. It's embarrassing to admit, but I cried the first time I saw this performance.
Again, there is a list of covers I could have chosen for this list...Hackensack, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, and Black and Gold are all worth checking out! However, I chose her cover of Niggas in Paris for this challenge because I feel like it shows a different side to Katy. Yes, she's a perfect pop star, but she's also a 28-year-old girl that doesn't take herself too seriously. She could have covered a song that people would expect her to cover (like Someone Like You), but instead, she had a little fun and covered a hard hip-hop song. Is she an amazing rapper? No. BUT, the cover is much more legit than you'd expect and if you understand that she's having fun with it, I think you'll enjoy it and understand why it's my favorite cover of her's.
Thank you! I hope I have opened your eyes to Katy's performing talent. Buy Roar on iTunes! Available 8/12 in the US and in September WW!
DanceForYou
My fave is...
Beyonce!
And here are my some of my favorite performances by her!
1. Live Performance Run the World (Girls) at the 2011 BBMA's
Continuing with my Run the World (Girls) theme from last round... Just kidding, this has actually always been one of my favorite Beyonce performances. It's hard to choose but I think this one shows Bey's passion and talent completely. The production, choreography, energy, and live vocals! All flawless. Not only that it's incredible that so many years into her career she continues to give it her all on stage and improves more and more. That's rare to find in the industry! Not many, if any, of the other pop girls could pull this performance off!
2. Acoustic Performance Halo at the Hope for Haiti Now Benefit Concert
I chose this performance because it was just simply beautiful and very moving. I mean, not only does Bey still sound utterly amazing in any acoustic performance because of her pure talent but this type of performance fits Halo perfectly. I think the studio version should of been more stripped back like this and for that reason as well the performance is great. Vocally, Beyonce just slays any ballad!
3. Cover Performance At Last (Originally by Etta James) at the Neighborhood Ball 2009
This category was tough for me because throughout Bey's career she has done a ton of covers and many of which I really enjoy. However, I think her At Last cover is very special. Besides sounding great as always I think she really captures the essence of the original song and stays very true to it. Her soulful voice fits perfectly and her cover has been highly praised. She said that her performing it in front of Obama and his wife was the highlight of her career, which is why I picked this particular performance. I think you can tell how special this night was for her and that positive vibe just adds to an already beautiful performance.
Stevie
Not surprisingly, I decided to choose one of my favorite singers and icons of all time, Amy Winehouse. The videos I picked are some of my favorite performances of my favorite songs that came out of her short lived career. I hope everyone enjoys them as much as I do. Just click on the video title to watch the non-mini versions on YouTube, if you wish.
Favorite Live Performance: "In My Bed"
I have so many favorite performances of her, so it was hard to choose just one. But I wanted to choose something of the old Amy, during the Frank era, and before the bulk of her troubles began. "In My Bed" is a jazz tinged number, one of her sexiest songs, and I love this performance of it. I always enjoy how she never tries to follow the recorded version of the track in her live version, thus throwing a different spin on it. Many of her songs can be super emotional and gut-wrenching, but I like this performance because it's more fun and also because of the awesome, natural instrumentation. It being rainy when she first started the song and sunny with a rainbow after the performance was a bonus too.
Favorite Acoustic Performance: "Tears Dry On Their Own"
"Tears Dry On Their Own" is probably my favorite Amy song, and while I know a non-acoustic performance that I love, I think this acoustic version might be even better. She seems more focused and subdued here than she usually is, making it one of her most vocally raw and beautiful performances.
Favorite Cover Performance: "Valerie"
One of Amy's most popular recordings was "Valerie", a song she did with Mark Ronson which was originally by the English indie rock band The Zutons. I love this performance because it's just generally nice to listen to, even though you can hear the pain and struggle in her voice. Again, I love the instruments on this one and the way she walks onto the stage and sings "Well sometimes I go out by myself, and I look across the water". I think the way she works her voice there to reflect loneliness and a little bit of pain is lovely.
Killer Queen
Katy Perry's Performance Trinity
Live Performance
Quote:
Katy Perry isn't acclaimed and recognised for her live performances, especially of 'Firework', and one example of this was at the American Music Awards 2010. However, her performance of Firework at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show would have to be one of her best performance of Firework and one of her best live performance in her career. Her vocals are on point, her pitch is on point, her delivery of the lyrics is just great. It's one of those performances I always come back to watch and when people ask what is her best performance, this is the performance I always suggest.
Acoustic Performance
Quote:
I was going to go with an acoustic performance from her MTV Unplugged set, but I believe this song showcases her vast improvement from then. This performance is one of the best acoustic performance she did during the Teenage Dream Era. The stripped backed, acoustic version of The One That Got Away showed a different side of her. Whilst her vocals were a little pitchy (which is like a lot of her performances), the way she delivered song with raw emotion, and the overall way she sounded just made me admire the song even more. The acoustic version of the song in my opinion is better than the actual version of the song on the album. It shows she can just stand there with a guitar and deliver an outstanding performance without all the back up dancers, pyros, props and all.
Cover Performance
Quote:
Hackensack was her best cover she has ever done. That was until Katy Perry delivered this performance of Carol King's 'So Far Away. Her vocals were literally on point, and her tone of voice, . She once again proved that she can just stand there and deliver an outstanding vocally performance. She did the song justice. (it literally gave me goosebumps listening to it). As an avid fan, I didn't expect this kind of performance from her, especially with a cover, but I was wrong. This will remain as one of my all time favourite covers Katy has ever done.
t.A.T.u.
Is needless to say any performance I would send, it would kill the other girls, but this was really hard for me, because everything she does is amazing, but I wanted to go for the underrated singles and not overrated ones like “Beautiful” “You Lost Me” “I Turn to You” or “Hurt” even though they all are amazing.
Christina Aguilera
"Oh Mother!"
I am sending “Oh Mother” because in this performance she is really feeling the song, despite her tears, you can really feel her suffering the entire story behind “Oh Mother” (domestic violence.) I love how she sings to her mother in this song saying to her Thank You, I also love how she has her eyes close the most of the performance like she’s remembering everything again and suffering again. And of course the vocals are just PERFECTION.
I really suggest you to watch the entire video.
Christina Aguilera
"Come On Over (All I Want Is You)"
I chose this performance, because an Acoustic is all being natural, and you can see in this performance how natural she looks, how natural she does, she is just there with a microphone a guitar and nothing else and she sounds like a recording single, besides this is a classic one and it brings us too memories.
Christina Aguilera
"It's a Man's Man's Man's World"
Well I would be a fool if I don’t send this, because this is one of the best performances ever on the history of the grammys, HANDS DOWN! This doesn’t need an explanation, the performance talks for itself.
TheSeenScene
2 N E 1
Despite me having several different faves, I decided to go with the group I stanned for the most - 2NE1. With countless performances under their belt, I had a lot to choose from, but these are the three that I felt best matched the criteria and impressed me the most. I hope they impress you as well!
Live Performance
I Am The Best - Live @ 2011 MAMA
(MNet Asian Music Awards)
Everything about this performance makes it perfect. From the opening visuals, to the choreo, to the vocals, and the high energy the girls deliver on stage, this performance of I Am The Best is without question my favorite 2NE1 performance of all time.
Acoustic Performance
I Love You - Acoustic for YG On Air
I chose this over the other acoustic performances from the girls because I felt this showcased their vocals the best. Compared to the actual single, this has a softer tone and you really come to appreciate how their vocals flow so well together.
Cover Performance
Rihanna's Take a Bow for Sketchbook Live in 2009
2NE1 successfully broke through the language barrier and paid homage to Rihanna's hit single "Take a Bow". I think Rihanna herself would be proud of this performance.
Kavish
London Grammar is a new band which has released less than 10 songs so far, and I have
grown an adoration not only for the songs, but the band as well. They took over me over
the past months and I cannot get enough of them. 3 of their songs are currently my
Top 3 most played songs of the year, while 2 of their other songs are in my Top 10.
So I guess this says a lot, and I'm glad I got a new fav. I cannot wait for their debut
album in September and I'm glad to present to you some of their performances.
Live Performance..
Wasting My Young Years was the second song I heard from them, and it instantly became one of my favorites. It disposes such a sweet and melancholic feeling that touches me and makes me come for more. The reason why I love this performance is because it takes the song on a different level. You can hear through Hannah's voice that she was being emotional throughout the performance, and I like how she changed the tone of the chorus to give it a different, but still soulful vibe. Even the instrumentals sounds awesome and the guys did a great job.
Acoustic Performance..
Contrary to the live performance, the reason why I love this acoustic performance is mainly because of the instruments. Darling Are You Gonna Leave Me is their most upbeat song and hearing it live with the guitar pitched acoustically and the djembe drum is an ear candy. I'm not saying that Hannah didn't do a great job - she sang it beautifully! - but this is one of the rare cases where a non-metal performance made me fall in love with it just because of the instruments and for that I applaud Dan and Dot. All those together make of the song rawer, the sound clearer and that's why it's my favorite acoustic perormance.
Cover Performance..
Based on the above performances, you may now have a notion about the type of music that they make, and this cover performance shows that they can take a song and make of it their own. Wicked Game is such an amazing song and I like how they made the cover very profound and dreamy-like, and that makes me like the song even more. Not only that, but by bringing a different song into their own universe and make me fall in love with it with their soulful vibe is what makes me realise how much I love them. At this point I feel like they will never disappoint me, and I'm glad I found them.
Lukey and I both stanning for Katy Hope you all like the performances we both chose! I think Katy is severely underrated when it comes to live performances.
The first three times I wrote up my submission my browser crashed and I'd have to restart.
Then I was like okay, let me just back up every time I preview on notepad just in case my browser crashes this time and then my whole computer crashes
Here's mine...
medosuxx
Lana Del Rey: Live
The Artists I stan for the most would have to be Rihanna and Lana Del Rey. Although musically they're considered very different, they are both constantly flooded with claims of "They can't sing live" or "They're not good singers". I personally love and adore both of their voices whether it is Live or in a Studio Recording. But considering I've been in a Lana mood recently, I'll choose my favorite Lana performances.
What I think I love most about Lana's performances is just how she presents herself. None of the fancy outfits or costumes, no massive light shows, props or back-up singers and dancers. She'd come up in a simple outfit with her small band (pianist, guitarist..) and sometimes accompanied by a small little choir. Although I also stan for Rihanna and love her big shows with costumes, interludes, dance breakdowns and more. I also love Lana's performances for how simple yet straight to the point they are. Just you and the music.
LIVE PERFORMANCE.
Quote:
National Anthem at the iTunes Festival
"completely enchanting.." - Toyaz World
I chose this performance because it is one of my favorite Lana performances as a whole. Not only does she sound good, I love how her band and choir get their own little solos which contribute to the whole feel of the performance and with the audience's interaction, PERFECT!
LIVE COVER.
Quote:
Goodbye Kiss in the Radio 1 Live Lounge
"f**kin' perfect!" - Kasabian
Goodbye Kiss has to be one of my favorite Lana covers and one of my most played too, it's also one of my favorite vocal performances by Lana. I love how clear her vocals are and just how beautifully she sings it. I also love how she bumps her nose on the microphone just as she sings "Open your eyes and what do you see?".
LIVE ACOUSTIC.
Quote:
Without You in Amoeba Music
Without You has always been one of my favorite tracks off of Born To Die. Before the album was released, we had little short videos of Lana performing some of the songs live. One of my stand out videos was of Lana performing "Without You" or "China Doll" as it was called online at the time, this performance just reminds me why it stood out. Alongside her beautiful vocals, you feel as if she's about to cry at any moment now. Definitely a favorite of mine.
The Artists I stan for the most would have to be Rihanna and Lana Del Rey. Although musically they're considered very different, they are both constantly flooded with claims of "They can't sing live" or "They're not good singers". I personally love and adore both of their voices whether it is Live or in a Studio Recording. But considering I've been in a Lana mood recently, I'll choose my favorite Lana performances.
What I think I love most about Lana's performances is just how she presents herself. None of the fancy outfits or costumes, no massive light shows, props or back-up singers and dancers. She'd come up in a simple outfit with her small band (pianist, guitarist..) and sometimes accompanied by a small little choir. Although I also stan for Rihanna and love her big shows with costumes, interludes, dance breakdowns and more. I also love Lana's performances for how simple yet straight to the point they are. Just you and the music.
LIVE PERFORMANCE.
Quote:
National Anthem at the iTunes Festival
"completely enchanting.." - Toyaz World
I chose this performance because it is one of my favorite Lana performances as a whole. Not only does she sound good, I love how her band and choir get their own little solos which contribute to the whole feel of the performance and with the audience's interaction, PERFECT!
LIVE COVER.
Quote:
Goodbye Kiss in the Radio 1 Live Lounge
"f**kin' perfect!" - Kasabian
Goodbye Kiss has to be one of my favorite Lana covers and one of my most played too, it's also one of my favorite vocal performances by Lana. I love how clear her vocals are and just how beautifully she sings it. I also love how she bumps her nose on the microphone just as she sings "Open your eyes and what do you see?".
LIVE ACOUSTIC.
Quote:
Without You in Amoeba Music
Without You has always been one of my favorite tracks off of Born To Die. Before the album was released, we had little short videos of Lana performing some of the songs live. One of my stand out videos was of Lana performing "Without You" or "China Doll" as it was called online at the time, this performance just reminds me why it stood out. Alongside her beautiful vocals, you feel as if she's about to cry at any moment now. Definitely a favorite of mine.
ethan
Just kidding, this has actually always been one of my favorite Beyonce performances. It's hard to choose but I think this one shows Bey's passion and talent completely. The production, choreography, energy, and live vocals! All flawless. Not only that it's incredible that so many years into her career she continues to give it her all on stage and improves more and more. That's rare to find in the industry! Not many, if any, of the other pop girls could pull this performance off!
. She once again proved that she can just stand there and deliver an outstanding vocally performance. She did the song justice. (it literally gave me goosebumps listening to it). As an avid fan, I didn't expect this kind of performance from her, especially with a cover, but I was wrong. This will remain as one of my all time favourite covers Katy has ever done.
Hope you all like the performances we both chose! I think Katy is severely underrated when it comes to live performances.
