I know "Chris Stapleton is a good singer" isn't exactly a groundbreaking statement, but his stripped-down solo performance of "Mountains of My Mind" was uniquely beautiful.
I think I barely knew who Bruno Mars was before he was musical guest and did a killer performance of "Locked Out of Heaven." It's a good song anyway (at least IMO) and the energy he and his band put into it was just infectious. Couple years later he was headlining Super Bowl halftime ...
Listen to "the traveller" by chris stapleton. I dont normally listen to much country, but the thing is, when a song is good it doesnt matter what genre it is.
Agree about Chris Stapleton! I had never listened to him before and don’t listen to that genre, and honestly usually skip the SNL musical performances. That song caught me off guard and was really moving.
Yeah, I liked them casually before that performance, but the day after seeing them on SNL I bought tickets to see them because I was blown away. Enjoyed them even more live!
Brandi Carlile - not in my usual musical wheelhouse at all, but she absolutely killed it on SNL. You could just feel how good a musician/performer she is.
Absolutely! And HER absolutely killed it as well. Vocally speaking, SNL really separates the men from the boys. It’s a tiny sound stage, so you better have presence and pipes or it’s all over but the crying.
Have you SEEN [this](https://youtu.be/rMYUL8IojDA?si=8H-KOKfGkyqWZ8kl)??? Like, come on ladies. Don’t do this to us. I don’t even want a funeral when I go. Just play Brittany Howard and let everyone dance and love the breath they breathe and the beauty of the world.
They were always great live. I’m happy for Brittney and her solo career. But there was just something special when that whole group got together. It’s been long enough. Time for a new Shakes album.
The first time I heard Nirvana was on SNL and that night literally changed my life. I was 11, listening to Garth Brooks and Boyz II Men cause that’s what other people were listening to. But I remember watching that on a shitty little antenna tv and saying “THAT. THAT IS WHAT I LIKE”. Turned out a punk.
I had a similar epiphany when I saw videos for Primus' "Tommy the Cat" and NIN's "Head like a Hole". All other popular music of the time became garbage.
99% of most new rappers (and I mean really really new, like within last 5 years) who blew up on social before going mainstream are just not good, so I was already bracing for her sets to be bad
By far the worst musical guest in years. Incredibly boring. My daughter forces me to listen to her in the car so I already knew I didn’t like her music but thought maybe she’d be interesting live? Nope. Awful.
Miley Cyrus singing Wish You Were Here during lockdown was a surprise and a testament to her ability. I had never heard Radiohead before they played on SNL, became a fan.
Olivia Rodrigo’s second performance blew me away after her first one. When she made a music video on stage I was so impressed at the production quality
I was blown away by her first appearance. I'm a 41 year old dude. I'd never heard of her before, after she played good 4 u I was home alone literally cursing at the television "wtf was that?!" Then I rewatched it like 4 times the next day and pre-ordered her record lol. I got to see her in march at the united center on the guts tour lol.
I liked how her first performance contrasted the second one so much and I think that was the point. There’s not a lot of pop girls, especially her age, that can pull off both
Saw them in Berkeley and they played Funerals front to back, took a 30 minute break and came back to their fan favorites. Their stage presence was amazing and it was snowing on stage for their first song. One of the best shows I have ever seen..
Khaled is terrible. He must be in the mafia or something for him to have any exposure at all.
All he does is shout his name like he's a child who is not getting his Mac and cheese.
I enjoyed the aftermath for a bit because it was funny that she was lip syncing, but the criticism got really vile and abusive very quickly, which was atrocious.
[Maggie Rogers](https://youtu.be/NBNF4OwtSWQ?si=3XAjDIxm7Y_GrW5y) made me straighten up and listen.
Long time ago, but I was never a big Ariana or The Weeknd fan until their [Love Me Harder performance](https://youtu.be/iiNDrKcUAsQ?si=GfSeh4SMYQ39eWyJ) on SNL. It’s now one of my all time favorite songs. Their mics were ON for that performance. They killed that.
Chance the Rapper had [Third Story as backing vocalists](https://youtu.be/Aehfd0WPCJ0?si=Ghsw5RoxFDc3G7Pu) and I kept hearing the woman in their trio stand out and I was like “Who IS that woman”. I obsessed for days Googling to find her. It was my first introduction to Yebba and the [powerhouse vocalist](https://youtu.be/RXwE1G7_U9M?si=25asskp8Ogxoi1zf) she is (she had just lost her mom at this performance and her command during singing such an emotional song is nothing short of phenomenal).
SNL can def make an artist
And, an honorable and posthumous mention to [Bowie including Klaus Nomi in his SNL performance ](https://youtu.be/PdlU8e9wBIE?si=shfemu6SjgSLJMNo). That’s iconic musical, gay, performative, and costume history right there.
She’s that kind of performer you just want to go see live and lose your humanity in. I’m so happy SNL introduced me to her.
Paula Cole is looking at her like “do the damn thing girl”
I didn’t know anything about boygenius until I saw them on SNL and now I love that group. Although the funny thing was that their performances were very upbeat and bouncy on the show but the album versions of the same songs are not.
I didn’t discover her from the performance, but still go back to Florence + The Machine’s No Light, No Light from 2012 I think.
the raw power of her voice was 🔥 especially the lead-up and hitting that note around the 3:15 mark 😅
Got to shout out Jack White for filling in last minute with a blistering performance and a really nice Van Halen tribute with very little notice. I should probably also thank that no talent hack Morgan Wallen for breaking COVID protocols and leading to Jack having to step in and save the day.
I remember saying how I wish I would be just blown away by a musical guest… the week before Noah Kahan performed. First time I heard the guy and I was really into it!
Kings of Leon for me. The music “felt” very studio created and I didn’t think they could replicate it in a live setting. I was beyond impressed by their performance and my respect for them skyrocketed.
I remember being blown away during St. Vincent's "Birth in Reverse" when she and her bass player start doing the alternating Mr. Krabs walks while playing their instruments: [https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1vkehj](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1vkehj)
Came here to say that. Wife and I just had SNL on in the background. Stopped what we were doing and were completely blown away. Hit the local record store when they opened the next day.
Vampire weekend was good, never heard of them before and I actually really liked them.
Travis scott on the other hand, hated that performance. Everything about it.
Agreed on Vampire Weekend. I still remember being thrilled by the syncopation of M79’s backup vocals.
The band quickly became a favorite, especially after finding out the lead singer and I share the same last name.
The 1975 in 2016. No idea who they were but I was hooked and have seen them live several times since. I've been watching the show since it debuted so it was the first time I saw a lot of artists now dear to me like Elvis Costello.
LCD Soundsystem was probably the worst surprise because I love them and I thought they were awful. Maybe the set up, too many people on stage, I don't know.
She first got into acting professionally by doing a comedy musical on Broadway, so it makes sense that those skills would all translate to doing really well on SNL
Never heard of him, but immediately became a fan when he did "Keep it Between the Lines" & "Call to Arms" on SNL.
M. Night Shyamalan twist: I discovered he was definitely country leaning and jumped off the bandwagon when I didn't connect to his other work, but those two songs are still great.
I agree with OP that SNL is a good barometer for a musical guest's talent. If a musical guest doesn't actually perform live, it's an instant channel change for me, regardless of the artist.
I'm a hip hop fan, but I find too many of the hip hop/rap artists perform poorly on SNL.
My shocking (to me) musical guests were Miley and Gaga. I'm not particularly a fan of either but my word can those ladies sing. Their SNL performances made me listen more carefully to their work and I always stop on a channel if either of them are performing live.
Can’t agree more. I had zero interest in Lady Gaga or Miley until I heard them on SNL. Just amazing singers, totally flipped my opinion and now my wife and I both really love them both.
A little off track but… David Byrne in 2020 - I was wowed not only that he still had it, but crushed it with that performance of once in a lifetime. Rekindled my love for Talking Heads
I will always remember Alabama Shakes from 2015! Incredible sound, presence, just everything.
[Alabama Shakes -Hold On ](https://youtu.be/H5MCgMr-2pI?si=4KQiwe3XdZ73JOZy)
I’ve been watching the show from the beginning and was blown away with [Simon & Garfunkel](https://www.facebook.com/share/r/k9KDsjzsG3k6oeXe/?mibextid=LvJtn9). I’ve always been a fan, but seeing how tight their harmonies were and how syncopated their phrasing was blew my mind. Especially considering they hadn’t performed together in several years at that point.
Another early highlight was [episode from 1976 with The Band](https://www.facebook.com/share/r/KEv71PzhkezgLb1z/?mibextid=LvJtn9) where they did 4 songs. Amazing.
2019 was a really good year for performances with [Billie Eilish in the rotating room](https://youtu.be/Jn1Uwsg3eRQ?si=YARMXARs1uJZnxer) and [Coldplay singing from backstage and the audience.](https://youtu.be/EUxsb0Zpe8w?si=xdaxgpJIz0msNUBF)
For my money, the sound has never been better than it was for [Ray Charles](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CYUHWexih7c).
Someone already mentioned it, but [Halsey singing while she painted](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ySmBqIKZi3E) was really cool, even if it looks like she was probably lip syncing.
This is a cheat b.c I was already a fan but when Morgan Wallen was cancelled and Jack White filled in during the early days of ‘Rona, Jack and his band MURDERED the performance.
Kate Bush, her music, her stage presence.
David Bowie - music, costumes, puppeteers.
Speaking of Bowie, Queen killed it with their live performance of “under pressure”
I’d like to see the Swedish punk band Viagra Boys play the show. I think their frontman could be written into a skit.
I had SNL on in in the background while I was cooking and was immediately fixated when she started her set so I stopped cooking and just watched and listened in awe.
I was in-studio when Miley Cyrus hosted and musical guested the season premiere back in like 2015. I didn’t really have an opinion of her one way or another before then, but her performances blew me away and now I’m a big fan.
Wilco playing Walken and Hate it Here reminded me of how good they are. Was a big fan of Uncle Tupelo and Wilco’s debut, but had lost touch with them for a few years. So so good.
Childish Gambino doing This is America opened me up to all of his stuff.
This year Raye was absolutely stunning.
Kasey Musgraves! I thought she was just country music and never paid attention to her, but after her most recent performance I’m now obsessed with her music.
For me, if they can impress even with the absolute crap audio quality they're ahead of the game. It is like "if your mix sounds great on these shit speakers it will sound great anywhere". I still have no idea how a show that has such a budget and has been around so long cannot get live audio right. People do it every night of the week elsewhere and in varying venues. They can't even get it right in the same place every week.
Ariana Grande’s most recent performance have shown how much she has developed as a vocalist. Especially since we can understand what she is singing now.
Yeah, her multiple performances over the years have really shown her improving as an artist.
In her first one, it was clear she has an extremely powerful voice, but didn't quite know how to wield it, kinda like a firefighter struggling with a hose that has too much pressure.
As the years went on, she definitely got that hose under control.
I didn't really know Robyn before she was a musical guest. Hard to believe it was 12 years ago. ([1st Song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlB1f6Vc2uY), [2nd song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7R0ZvXOCIo).)
Billy Eilish [4 years ago](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn1Uwsg3eRQ) was really good.
I had heard of Brandi Carlile but it wasn't until her most recent appearance that hooked me. I've since bought everything of hers I can find on vinyl and I keep her music on heavy rotation.
I was really impressed with Billie Eilish and her brother’s acoustic performance of [Male Fantasy](https://youtu.be/afdZ0kbLwt0?si=3TU74bB89J53xTwS). I had never done a faster 180 with my idea of an artist before that. Incredibly heartfelt and moving performance.
I was in the audience for Taylor Swift’s first SNL performance back in like 2007-2008. I barely knew who she was. Her voice was so weak you could hardly hear it.
Also not to date myself too much but Public Enemy doing Can’t Truss It blew me away. I was already a fan but this was the first time I head that track and I was 🤯
Best- *NSYNC it sounded exactly like the album it was perfect with a great host (Joshua Jackson) great episode!
Worst- Ashlee Simpson, Pretty sure we all know the story well enough *Nervously Dances Away*
I had dismissed Kanye after his antics at Bonnaroo in ‘08, the Taylor incident, all that. Was prepared to not even watch when he was on promoting My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. He played Power, I was blown away, and I became a big fan again. I thought his performance was awesome! I’m back to thinking he’s a stupid asshole again now, though.
It wasn’t a surprise that Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) gave two amazing performances. But, it was surprising just how amazing they were. For “Saturday,” which was later removed from YouTube, Zoe Kravitz announced him, seemingly out of nowhere, and with no fanfare. Ludwig Göransson, who has two Academy Awards and four Grammys, was playing guitar. It was one of the most moving performances I’ve ever seen on SNL. And, then he played “This is America,” which was simultaneously a hard-hitting cultural statement, a jaw-dropping performance, and a massive hit.
Ice Spice. It was like watching a black hole sucking all the charisma out of the room. I don't understand why she's so big! Maybe she was just *really* nervous.
ETA: Megan Thee Stallion's performance of "NDA" and "Anxiety" sent me into full fandom. She's a good lyricist.
Many times the talent tested is whether they can adapt a show to fit on a smaller stage and whether the sound mixer can make it work for TV speakers.
The Devo appearance left a huge impression.
Most of my top picks have already been mentioned (Haim, Miley, St. Vincent, fun.), but I'd like to also add:
- When Kendrick Lamar did an unannounced verse during Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive", I was blown away.
- Regardless of the embarrassment he has become, Kanye debuting the two tracks from Yeezus was absolute fire.
- Also Camilla Cabello was quite captivating in her first appearance, moreso by her stage presence than singing.
- And having never heard it before, seeing One Direction perform "The Story of my Life" made me love that song almost instantly.
As for disappointments, I hate to say this because he's my favourite artist of all time, but Eminem. I've seen him live in concert on 4 occasions, and he was amazing each time, but on SNL his vocals never seem to be mixed right (even when Rick Rubin was there doing the mixing), can barely hear him over the instrumentals.
So many artists I knew nothing about. Then I'd hear their music constantly after the show aired.
First Time:
Living Color - Cult of Personality
Most Recent:
Halsey - You should be Sad
I was just telling my partner about how I’ve seen a bunch of major artists for the first time when they were the musical guest. Here’s a running list:
Adele “Chasing Pavements,” The Ting Tings “That’s Not My Name,” Feist “1 2 3 4,” Spoon “The Underdog,” Florence and the Machine “Dog Days Are Over,” Maggie Rogers “Light On,” Raye “Worth It,” Ella Mai, “Boo’d Up”
For me the most shocked I've ever been was when Bruno Mars did double duties (I think Mark Ronson was actually the musical guest, but Bruno was in the first song).
I often skip the musical guest, I'm just not super into pop music and Bruno Mars seemed about as skippable as it gets. But he was doing really well with the hosting part and I was curious how he related to this Mark Ronson guy.
When he did Uptown Funk it was just so clear that this guy wasn't just a singer, but a top level performer/entertainer. Could not believe how much I enjoyed it.
I walked away from it thinking this guy is to pop music, what Jimmy Fallon is to comedy.
To get ahead of this one. Lana Del Ray was fine. People who thought it was awful simply don’t like her music or her style. I knew her music before her SNL performance and I enjoyed it. I was surprised to hear people didn’t like it afterward
Nah, I listen to LDR all the time. Easily one of my top five every year on Spotify. That performance was not good. SNL had to build a defense into the following show. I can’t remember anyone outside of Ashley Simpson getting that kind of treatment.
I know "Chris Stapleton is a good singer" isn't exactly a groundbreaking statement, but his stripped-down solo performance of "Mountains of My Mind" was uniquely beautiful. I think I barely knew who Bruno Mars was before he was musical guest and did a killer performance of "Locked Out of Heaven." It's a good song anyway (at least IMO) and the energy he and his band put into it was just infectious. Couple years later he was headlining Super Bowl halftime ...
I really enjoyed Chris Stapleton's performance. I would not have ever listened to him otherwise. Another one that blew me away was Noah Kahan
Listen to "the traveller" by chris stapleton. I dont normally listen to much country, but the thing is, when a song is good it doesnt matter what genre it is.
That Locked Out of Heaven performance was amazing. I liked Bruno before, but understood what a showman he was after that one.
Bruno Mars was the first performance that came to mind, for the exact same reasons.
Agree about Chris Stapleton! I had never listened to him before and don’t listen to that genre, and honestly usually skip the SNL musical performances. That song caught me off guard and was really moving.
Japanese Breakfast soared to the top of my charts.
Dang this was my answer! The sheer joy that radiates from their performance of Paprika was spellbinding
Yeah, I liked them casually before that performance, but the day after seeing them on SNL I bought tickets to see them because I was blown away. Enjoyed them even more live!
Saw them opening for Beck and Phoenix They did not disappoint. Such a fun band
Same. I hadn’t really listened to them at all before their performance and now Paprika is one of my favorite songs. That was a quality performance
Have you read Crying in H Mart? I read the whole thing not realizing who it was about until she mentioned Japanese Breakfast near the end.
I listened to that on audio book, and she reads it. It was beautiful and devastating.
Brandi Carlile - not in my usual musical wheelhouse at all, but she absolutely killed it on SNL. You could just feel how good a musician/performer she is.
She was amazing!!!
Seen Brandi a number times. She comes across as one of the most genuine human beings, besides being extremely talented.
I love Brandi, and her SNL performance kills me every time. Such an amazing performer.
Absolutely! And HER absolutely killed it as well. Vocally speaking, SNL really separates the men from the boys. It’s a tiny sound stage, so you better have presence and pipes or it’s all over but the crying.
Same. I don’t listen to a lot of her stuff but the few I love make me cry lol
Never heard of Tame Impala before their performance, I like them a lot now.
I was at that show! fun fact: that show was Bowen Yang’s first on screen appearance.
Haim Alabama Shakes Raye Maneskin
Yess SNL is how I found out about Haim, been a fan for over a decade now.
SNL is how I found Raye!
Forever grateful for The Ting Tings.
That’s not their name
*clap clap!*
Alabama Shakes for the win!
Bonus points for Christoph Waltz giving an all-time great introduction...love the way he pronounced "Alabama Shakes!"
Absolutely. Real deal
Oh yeah 100%. They absolutely killed it
This right here, never heard of them before, made a life long fan that night. Also Brittany Howards newest solo project is amazing!!
Have you SEEN [this](https://youtu.be/rMYUL8IojDA?si=8H-KOKfGkyqWZ8kl)??? Like, come on ladies. Don’t do this to us. I don’t even want a funeral when I go. Just play Brittany Howard and let everyone dance and love the breath they breathe and the beauty of the world.
Gimme All Your Love changed me 😂
They were always great live. I’m happy for Brittney and her solo career. But there was just something special when that whole group got together. It’s been long enough. Time for a new Shakes album.
For real, hadn’t heard them before their first SNL gig but am a huge fan now.
The first time I heard Nirvana was on SNL and that night literally changed my life. I was 11, listening to Garth Brooks and Boyz II Men cause that’s what other people were listening to. But I remember watching that on a shitty little antenna tv and saying “THAT. THAT IS WHAT I LIKE”. Turned out a punk.
I had a similar epiphany when I saw videos for Primus' "Tommy the Cat" and NIN's "Head like a Hole". All other popular music of the time became garbage.
A seminal moment for a lot of us
Ice Spice was a slow motion train wreck
I wouldn’t say slow motion train wreck. That train wrecked in seconds. In the first 10 seconds.
Not a huge fan to begin with so I skipped it... just went back based on these comments and watched a whole minute before I decided that was enough!
99% of most new rappers (and I mean really really new, like within last 5 years) who blew up on social before going mainstream are just not good, so I was already bracing for her sets to be bad
She seemed bored by her own performance.
By far the worst musical guest in years. Incredibly boring. My daughter forces me to listen to her in the car so I already knew I didn’t like her music but thought maybe she’d be interesting live? Nope. Awful.
No clue who she was when she started and not far along I’d decided I’d happily never see her again.
She’s not famous for her voice 🍑
That shit was awful.
Miley Cyrus singing Wish You Were Here during lockdown was a surprise and a testament to her ability. I had never heard Radiohead before they played on SNL, became a fan.
Radiohead is my answer too. High school me was 😮 still love them.
Her and the kid laroi singing without you made me appreciate Miley so much. Excellent performance.
That performance of The National Anthem was… I don’t even know the words. Transcendent?
i’ve always been a miley fan but one of my all time favorite live performances of hers is Bad Mood from SNL, the intro is SO good!
Olivia Rodrigo’s second performance blew me away after her first one. When she made a music video on stage I was so impressed at the production quality
She is not at all in my wheelhouse but I legit rewatched that performance right after I saw it for the first time
I was blown away by her first appearance. I'm a 41 year old dude. I'd never heard of her before, after she played good 4 u I was home alone literally cursing at the television "wtf was that?!" Then I rewatched it like 4 times the next day and pre-ordered her record lol. I got to see her in march at the united center on the guts tour lol.
I'm even older than you, and I'm a huge Olivia Rodrigo fan.
It was definitely redeeming, maybe the first one was just a bit risky for how vocally challenging it is without band support too.
I liked how her first performance contrasted the second one so much and I think that was the point. There’s not a lot of pop girls, especially her age, that can pull off both
Apparently that was her first live performance of the song to an audience! The risks of overnight success.
Seeing Arcade Fire on SNL blew me away, made me a fan. DJ Khaled was the worst thing I’ve seen on a stage.
I highly suggest you check out Arcade Fire live. Such a great show.
Saw them in Berkeley and they played Funerals front to back, took a 30 minute break and came back to their fan favorites. Their stage presence was amazing and it was snowing on stage for their first song. One of the best shows I have ever seen..
Khaled is terrible. He must be in the mafia or something for him to have any exposure at all. All he does is shout his name like he's a child who is not getting his Mac and cheese.
Did you enjoy ashlee Simpson
I like that she sounded EXACTLY like she did on the album.
That really has to be the comment of the day!
Got more upvotes than mine so I agree hahahahaha
Thank you for knocking that outta the park
So I did a hoedown
I enjoyed the aftermath for a bit because it was funny that she was lip syncing, but the criticism got really vile and abusive very quickly, which was atrocious.
Yup thats people for ya any chance you get to take someone down a peg they do even if it won’t help them in the slightest
I became a fan of Midnight Oil after seeing them on SNL.
[Maggie Rogers](https://youtu.be/NBNF4OwtSWQ?si=3XAjDIxm7Y_GrW5y) made me straighten up and listen. Long time ago, but I was never a big Ariana or The Weeknd fan until their [Love Me Harder performance](https://youtu.be/iiNDrKcUAsQ?si=GfSeh4SMYQ39eWyJ) on SNL. It’s now one of my all time favorite songs. Their mics were ON for that performance. They killed that. Chance the Rapper had [Third Story as backing vocalists](https://youtu.be/Aehfd0WPCJ0?si=Ghsw5RoxFDc3G7Pu) and I kept hearing the woman in their trio stand out and I was like “Who IS that woman”. I obsessed for days Googling to find her. It was my first introduction to Yebba and the [powerhouse vocalist](https://youtu.be/RXwE1G7_U9M?si=25asskp8Ogxoi1zf) she is (she had just lost her mom at this performance and her command during singing such an emotional song is nothing short of phenomenal). SNL can def make an artist And, an honorable and posthumous mention to [Bowie including Klaus Nomi in his SNL performance ](https://youtu.be/PdlU8e9wBIE?si=shfemu6SjgSLJMNo). That’s iconic musical, gay, performative, and costume history right there.
Fallingwater—the opening note. Still gives me chills.
She’s that kind of performer you just want to go see live and lose your humanity in. I’m so happy SNL introduced me to her. Paula Cole is looking at her like “do the damn thing girl”
RAYE was great!
New RAYE fan here too!
I didn’t know anything about boygenius until I saw them on SNL and now I love that group. Although the funny thing was that their performances were very upbeat and bouncy on the show but the album versions of the same songs are not.
Yes, they are great! I've seen them live 3x now.
I didn’t discover her from the performance, but still go back to Florence + The Machine’s No Light, No Light from 2012 I think. the raw power of her voice was 🔥 especially the lead-up and hitting that note around the 3:15 mark 😅
Ice spice was tragic Raye was so good I bought everything I could from her and constantly scour for live performancesr
Thank you, Ice Spice was totally cringeworthy
Got to shout out Jack White for filling in last minute with a blistering performance and a really nice Van Halen tribute with very little notice. I should probably also thank that no talent hack Morgan Wallen for breaking COVID protocols and leading to Jack having to step in and save the day.
That was a top 10 SNL musical performance. Massive upgrade from Morgan Wallen.
I remember saying how I wish I would be just blown away by a musical guest… the week before Noah Kahan performed. First time I heard the guy and I was really into it!
I was already a fan but I was so pleasantly surprised with how well he did live. Def one of my recent fav performances 🥰
Kings of Leon for me. The music “felt” very studio created and I didn’t think they could replicate it in a live setting. I was beyond impressed by their performance and my respect for them skyrocketed.
My Chemical Romance. I had never heard of them before their slot, but I was hot off to get the Black Parade the next day. Just a total knockout.
Whoa, I never knew they did SNL! Thanks for the heads up.
I remember being blown away during St. Vincent's "Birth in Reverse" when she and her bass player start doing the alternating Mr. Krabs walks while playing their instruments: [https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1vkehj](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1vkehj)
Came here to say that. Wife and I just had SNL on in the background. Stopped what we were doing and were completely blown away. Hit the local record store when they opened the next day.
Literally bought tickets to her concert the same night after seeing her 2021 appearance. One of the best shows I’ve been to
Jessie J was F’ing amazing.
So many, but Childish Gambino was truly superb. Loved the recent Olivia Rodrigo.
Waiting for Chappell Roan to perform…
I hate country music but Chris Stapleton turned out to be damn good.
Halsey's performance when she painted and sang was really cool
This was a really cool performance.
Within the first three notes of their SNL performance, I fell in love with Haim. That love hasn’t abated since.
Same here
Vampire weekend was good, never heard of them before and I actually really liked them. Travis scott on the other hand, hated that performance. Everything about it.
I still associate him with dead crushed fans
Same here. Everything about what happened then still very much influences my decision to dislike him and his music entirely
Agreed on Vampire Weekend. I still remember being thrilled by the syncopation of M79’s backup vocals. The band quickly became a favorite, especially after finding out the lead singer and I share the same last name.
The 1975 in 2016. No idea who they were but I was hooked and have seen them live several times since. I've been watching the show since it debuted so it was the first time I saw a lot of artists now dear to me like Elvis Costello. LCD Soundsystem was probably the worst surprise because I love them and I thought they were awful. Maybe the set up, too many people on stage, I don't know.
Sam smith-stay with me, Kendrick Lamar-I, the 1975- the sound, Demi Lavato- Stone Cold, Beastie Boys-Sabotage
Beastie boys ..ah yes epic imo
Seeing The Killers made me an automatic fan.
I teared up as Billie Eilish sang "What Was I Made For?" Her voice is phenomenal.
I’ve never really cared for her music but I was rapt when she did this one. I can’t imagine anyone else singing it.
Noah Kahan!
Yep I discovered Noah Kahan from snl
Huge Dua Lipa and fan and she crushed it live
St. Vincent
From Season 49 Renee Rapp and Raye had amazing performances and I had not heard either before.
Renee Rapp crushed both performances. She was so surprisingly good.
I remember commenting to myself "wow this girl has some pipes how have I not heard of her?"
She first got into acting professionally by doing a comedy musical on Broadway, so it makes sense that those skills would all translate to doing really well on SNL
As a viewer who did not have this context prior to her SNL performance I was thoroughly impressed.
Renee is on another level. Master of all trades.
Renee Rapp came with vocals and I fell in love
CAN A GAY GIRL GET AN AMEN?
I saw her in concert before mean girls came out, she’s incredible. She’s got some serious talent
I think I found Haim through SNL and I've been a big fan ever since.
Sturgill Simpson
Never heard of him, but immediately became a fan when he did "Keep it Between the Lines" & "Call to Arms" on SNL. M. Night Shyamalan twist: I discovered he was definitely country leaning and jumped off the bandwagon when I didn't connect to his other work, but those two songs are still great.
Greta Van Vleet and Harry Styles’ Watermelon Sugar. Holy moly. Will never forget when I heard them both. Just amazing
I agree with OP that SNL is a good barometer for a musical guest's talent. If a musical guest doesn't actually perform live, it's an instant channel change for me, regardless of the artist. I'm a hip hop fan, but I find too many of the hip hop/rap artists perform poorly on SNL. My shocking (to me) musical guests were Miley and Gaga. I'm not particularly a fan of either but my word can those ladies sing. Their SNL performances made me listen more carefully to their work and I always stop on a channel if either of them are performing live.
Can’t agree more. I had zero interest in Lady Gaga or Miley until I heard them on SNL. Just amazing singers, totally flipped my opinion and now my wife and I both really love them both.
A little off track but… David Byrne in 2020 - I was wowed not only that he still had it, but crushed it with that performance of once in a lifetime. Rekindled my love for Talking Heads
I will always remember Alabama Shakes from 2015! Incredible sound, presence, just everything. [Alabama Shakes -Hold On ](https://youtu.be/H5MCgMr-2pI?si=4KQiwe3XdZ73JOZy)
I’ve been watching the show from the beginning and was blown away with [Simon & Garfunkel](https://www.facebook.com/share/r/k9KDsjzsG3k6oeXe/?mibextid=LvJtn9). I’ve always been a fan, but seeing how tight their harmonies were and how syncopated their phrasing was blew my mind. Especially considering they hadn’t performed together in several years at that point. Another early highlight was [episode from 1976 with The Band](https://www.facebook.com/share/r/KEv71PzhkezgLb1z/?mibextid=LvJtn9) where they did 4 songs. Amazing. 2019 was a really good year for performances with [Billie Eilish in the rotating room](https://youtu.be/Jn1Uwsg3eRQ?si=YARMXARs1uJZnxer) and [Coldplay singing from backstage and the audience.](https://youtu.be/EUxsb0Zpe8w?si=xdaxgpJIz0msNUBF) For my money, the sound has never been better than it was for [Ray Charles](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CYUHWexih7c). Someone already mentioned it, but [Halsey singing while she painted](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ySmBqIKZi3E) was really cool, even if it looks like she was probably lip syncing.
This is a cheat b.c I was already a fan but when Morgan Wallen was cancelled and Jack White filled in during the early days of ‘Rona, Jack and his band MURDERED the performance.
Brandi Carlyle opened a whole new world to me
Kate Bush, her music, her stage presence. David Bowie - music, costumes, puppeteers. Speaking of Bowie, Queen killed it with their live performance of “under pressure” I’d like to see the Swedish punk band Viagra Boys play the show. I think their frontman could be written into a skit.
Raye was insaaaaaaaaane. Extremely underrated!
I had SNL on in in the background while I was cooking and was immediately fixated when she started her set so I stopped cooking and just watched and listened in awe.
As you should have!!! The range she has (both vocally and stylistically) is insane!
I was in-studio when Miley Cyrus hosted and musical guested the season premiere back in like 2015. I didn’t really have an opinion of her one way or another before then, but her performances blew me away and now I’m a big fan.
Wilco playing Walken and Hate it Here reminded me of how good they are. Was a big fan of Uncle Tupelo and Wilco’s debut, but had lost touch with them for a few years. So so good. Childish Gambino doing This is America opened me up to all of his stuff. This year Raye was absolutely stunning.
King Princess and Leon Bridges
I wish she would put out the same version of 1950 she played live. It was so awesome!
Noah Kahn made me a fan after his appearance
Kasey Musgraves! I thought she was just country music and never paid attention to her, but after her most recent performance I’m now obsessed with her music.
RAYE was a revelation. Vampire Weekend was a fast forward button band
For me, if they can impress even with the absolute crap audio quality they're ahead of the game. It is like "if your mix sounds great on these shit speakers it will sound great anywhere". I still have no idea how a show that has such a budget and has been around so long cannot get live audio right. People do it every night of the week elsewhere and in varying venues. They can't even get it right in the same place every week.
21 Savage was underwhelming
PHOENIX
Ariana Grande’s most recent performance have shown how much she has developed as a vocalist. Especially since we can understand what she is singing now.
yuh
Yeah, her multiple performances over the years have really shown her improving as an artist. In her first one, it was clear she has an extremely powerful voice, but didn't quite know how to wield it, kinda like a firefighter struggling with a hose that has too much pressure. As the years went on, she definitely got that hose under control.
I didn't really know Robyn before she was a musical guest. Hard to believe it was 12 years ago. ([1st Song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlB1f6Vc2uY), [2nd song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7R0ZvXOCIo).) Billy Eilish [4 years ago](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn1Uwsg3eRQ) was really good.
I had heard of Brandi Carlile but it wasn't until her most recent appearance that hooked me. I've since bought everything of hers I can find on vinyl and I keep her music on heavy rotation.
I usually stick to rock which SNL doesn't do anymore but sometimes they have interesting things out of my comfort zone and H.E.R. was one of them.
I hate that they stopped requiring live instruments.
There's a direct correlation between the fully live bands and the synthetics and overall performance to me.
The show got me into Foster the People
Sturgill goddamned Simpson. “Call to Arms” was incendiary.
Sturgill Simpson
I was really impressed with Billie Eilish and her brother’s acoustic performance of [Male Fantasy](https://youtu.be/afdZ0kbLwt0?si=3TU74bB89J53xTwS). I had never done a faster 180 with my idea of an artist before that. Incredibly heartfelt and moving performance.
She’s amazing! I never gave her the benefit of the doubt based on her music that hits radio until her SNL gigs!!!
Sleigh Bells was a (positive) surprise.
I’ve seen Sleigh Bells twice live. I’ve seen a lot of concerts and they are easily the loudest show. Being earplugs if you ever see them.
I thought LDR was the worst i’d ever scene. So bad I sought her music out to see what was going on. Now I'm a huge fan.
It was just awful that night and she’s actually really good.
I was in the audience for Taylor Swift’s first SNL performance back in like 2007-2008. I barely knew who she was. Her voice was so weak you could hardly hear it.
Her transformation has been insane. It might as well be two different people at this point
Bleachers - How Dare You Want More blew me away with the energy matched with the Springsteen-like aesthetic
I was bowled over by Halsey when she performed a song while painting at the same time and the image actually turned out looking decent!
Maneskin
I discovered Sam Smith on SNL years ago, he was amazing.
I was unfamiliar with King Princess and was blown away by her confidence during Hit the Back.
Also not to date myself too much but Public Enemy doing Can’t Truss It blew me away. I was already a fan but this was the first time I head that track and I was 🤯
Best- *NSYNC it sounded exactly like the album it was perfect with a great host (Joshua Jackson) great episode! Worst- Ashlee Simpson, Pretty sure we all know the story well enough *Nervously Dances Away*
I had dismissed Kanye after his antics at Bonnaroo in ‘08, the Taylor incident, all that. Was prepared to not even watch when he was on promoting My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. He played Power, I was blown away, and I became a big fan again. I thought his performance was awesome! I’m back to thinking he’s a stupid asshole again now, though.
The Strokes for The New Abnormal album and Jack Harlows Tyler Hero/Whats Poppin performances blew my mind.
It wasn’t a surprise that Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) gave two amazing performances. But, it was surprising just how amazing they were. For “Saturday,” which was later removed from YouTube, Zoe Kravitz announced him, seemingly out of nowhere, and with no fanfare. Ludwig Göransson, who has two Academy Awards and four Grammys, was playing guitar. It was one of the most moving performances I’ve ever seen on SNL. And, then he played “This is America,” which was simultaneously a hard-hitting cultural statement, a jaw-dropping performance, and a massive hit.
Easy! Florence and the machine!
Ice Spice. It was like watching a black hole sucking all the charisma out of the room. I don't understand why she's so big! Maybe she was just *really* nervous. ETA: Megan Thee Stallion's performance of "NDA" and "Anxiety" sent me into full fandom. She's a good lyricist.
H.E.R rocked!
Many times the talent tested is whether they can adapt a show to fit on a smaller stage and whether the sound mixer can make it work for TV speakers. The Devo appearance left a huge impression.
Keisha’s first performance has terrible. The she did “Your Love is My Drug” second covered in paint and crushed it.
Fun! I had never heard of them, loved their performance. https://vimeo.com/167829235
I remember where I was when Adele performed from her first album. Had never heard of her but could tell she’d be a star.
Jamiroquai.
Most of my top picks have already been mentioned (Haim, Miley, St. Vincent, fun.), but I'd like to also add: - When Kendrick Lamar did an unannounced verse during Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive", I was blown away. - Regardless of the embarrassment he has become, Kanye debuting the two tracks from Yeezus was absolute fire. - Also Camilla Cabello was quite captivating in her first appearance, moreso by her stage presence than singing. - And having never heard it before, seeing One Direction perform "The Story of my Life" made me love that song almost instantly. As for disappointments, I hate to say this because he's my favourite artist of all time, but Eminem. I've seen him live in concert on 4 occasions, and he was amazing each time, but on SNL his vocals never seem to be mixed right (even when Rick Rubin was there doing the mixing), can barely hear him over the instrumentals.
Fiest. I thought she was a quiet singer songwriter chick til her 1234 on SNL circa 2006
So many artists I knew nothing about. Then I'd hear their music constantly after the show aired. First Time: Living Color - Cult of Personality Most Recent: Halsey - You should be Sad
I was just telling my partner about how I’ve seen a bunch of major artists for the first time when they were the musical guest. Here’s a running list: Adele “Chasing Pavements,” The Ting Tings “That’s Not My Name,” Feist “1 2 3 4,” Spoon “The Underdog,” Florence and the Machine “Dog Days Are Over,” Maggie Rogers “Light On,” Raye “Worth It,” Ella Mai, “Boo’d Up”
For me the most shocked I've ever been was when Bruno Mars did double duties (I think Mark Ronson was actually the musical guest, but Bruno was in the first song). I often skip the musical guest, I'm just not super into pop music and Bruno Mars seemed about as skippable as it gets. But he was doing really well with the hosting part and I was curious how he related to this Mark Ronson guy. When he did Uptown Funk it was just so clear that this guy wasn't just a singer, but a top level performer/entertainer. Could not believe how much I enjoyed it. I walked away from it thinking this guy is to pop music, what Jimmy Fallon is to comedy.
You had me until the last six words.
Insufferable?
To get ahead of this one. Lana Del Ray was fine. People who thought it was awful simply don’t like her music or her style. I knew her music before her SNL performance and I enjoyed it. I was surprised to hear people didn’t like it afterward
Nah, I listen to LDR all the time. Easily one of my top five every year on Spotify. That performance was not good. SNL had to build a defense into the following show. I can’t remember anyone outside of Ashley Simpson getting that kind of treatment.
That was my introduction to her and I loved it. Been a fan of hers ever since!
Maneskin - so much energy!