Some people say the lead singer is the most important member of a band. While this is certainly a contentious opinion, it’s true that the lead singer can make or break a band. It might be that they lack vocal ability, or that their voice doesn’t fit the style of the music (for instance, picture Shane MacGowan singing a Rihanna song). However, if a frontman or woman lacks vocally, they can make up for it with audience interaction – banter or anecdotes between songs giving rise to “stage presence”. Here at The Indiependent we’ve considered all of the aspects which make up a performance in order to compile this definitive list of the 10 of the best performers of all time. Without further ado, let’s begin!
10. Jehnny Beth – Savages
Post-Punk band Savages are not very well-known. Their debut album, 2013’s Silence Yourself, was excellent and dark, but perhaps a little too dark for them to be NME darlings, like other bands making similar music. Beth’s vocals on the album are excellent, her shrieks and howls punctuating the bleak soundscape. Her vocal range is extremely impressive, and she leads the band with ferocity and panache, earning her a spot on this list.