Top 10 Bands with the Best Live Performances

You can't talk about bands with the best live performances without including Queen in at least the top 5, and I'm glad to see it at number 1. All four original members are absolute legends. John Deacon and Roger Taylor are absolutely underrated as a bassist and drummer, respectively, who both created some of the most iconic riffs and beats known to rock music.

Brian May is one of the greatest guitarists of all time, playing an instrument that he and his dad built when he was a teenager. He shows a mastery of various guitar styles, which the band was able to incorporate into their discography. And you absolutely cannot forget about the prodigy on the piano, the three-octave vocal powerhouse, the genius behind Bohemian Rhapsody, a flawless performer, as well as the most iconic frontman of all time: Freddie Mercury. If all of the above isn't enough to sway anyone's opinion by itself, I have two words left for you: Live Aid.

It's true Bon Jovi and Queen are brilliant during live performances. But Linkin Park above Metallica? Impossible. Kirk Hammett is awesome as usual, and so are James Hetfield's vocals. His variation is simply brilliant.

The live songs like Creeping Death, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and Ride the Lightning are just too good! Metallica rocks!

Metallica is always searching for new ways to make the impossible possible. They take the 80s back every show, just amazing. Great in every single way - sound, lights, effects. Just take a look at concerts like Binge and Purge Live in Seattle or The Full Arsenal.

I don't think anybody who has seen Maiden live within the past ten years would disagree that they should at least be in the top three. Not only have their performance skills gotten better with age, but somehow age doesn't seem to affect their high energy levels either.

Even if heavy metal isn't your thing, I can't believe Iron Maiden isn't at least in the top ten.

Always imitated, never replicated is the theme that's been going with Iron Maiden since their inception back in the mid-70s. Unforgettable hooks, melodies, stage presence, and an uncanny ability to always sound and perform better live is nothing short of amazing. There's no question about it, they are the greatest band and live band of all time!

Linkin Park must top the list. Most bands today do not perform as well as they do in their album recordings. But LP truly outperforms everyone with their phenomenal music, and they even perform better in live concerts through improvisations.

LP times the song sequences perfectly, and we've seen the crowd blend with their music every time.

This band is perfect live. They don't use all that computer bull crap like some of these new popular bands. They use their own vocals and their own creativity. I respect a band that is really good live, and I give this band all my respect because of how good they are live and how good their music is.

Why the heck did I have to scroll all the way down the page to find Muse?! This is ridiculous. I saw them in Washington this year, and it was one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen. Scratch that, it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Matt, Dom, and Chris are brimming with talent!

If one were to compare their recorded songs with their live ones, they would throw the studio albums in the trash and listen to the live performances for the rest of their lives. That is in no way because their recorded versions suck. In fact, they are stunning. But compared to their live performance, they are definitely inferior. Muse is the best.

I had never been to a stadium concert before and couldn't really justify the expense. I was hanging around the stadium on Friday in my hometown and, for the first time, felt I was on the wrong side of the fence. I got a ticket to the sold-out concert from a tout to a bad seat for Saturday's show and was blown away. I got a Feuerzone ticket for next summer in a neighboring country and am seriously considering another one. Or perhaps I should go to a gig in a German-speaking country...

Rammstein live is the best live rock opera ever. The performance, the effects, the brilliant light show, and the dynamics are second to none. You don't just watch a show. You feel it. You could go to a show and not even like music and still be blown away. If you have seen them live, other live bands just don't seem as exciting anymore.

AC/DC. No. 25? I'm sorry, something is clearly wrong.

No band on this planet can compare to AC/DC's pure, raw energy on stage! Back in the Bon Scott days, they were epic! Bon was one of the best frontmen of all time, and Angus was incredible. Angus was the guitarist we all imagined when we were little kids. But then we grow up to find out that it's not in a guitarist's nature to go absolutely crazy, headbanging and rocking out on stage.
Except for Angus Young.

And that, friends, is why AC/DC is, was, and will be the best live act you will ever see.

Linkin Park at number 1? Please...

Just like Alice Cooper, KISS is the best show on Earth. I mean, pyro, lights, blood, costumes, smoke, skulls! I dare you to find another band that can mix all these with fun rock anthems and put it into an entire performance.

KISS should be a LOT higher. What could be better than a band playing rock songs while flying, breathing fire, and dribbling blood!

I saw them twice. My Make-A-Wish was to meet them, and they did more than what we expected. Great people with a great stage presence, both on and off stage.

I've seen them 6 times! The first time was at The Forum in 2004, and I was right at the front! Absolutely amazing experience. I've also seen them at the O2 twice - once on the Quadrophenia Tour, twice at Wembley Arena, and twice at Hyde Park, of which the recent one in June 2015 was the best of the bunch. I'd have loved to have seen them with Moon and Entwistle, but even 'The Two' as they are now are outstanding performers, and nobody plays guitar like Townshend! They are a phenomenal live band. Add to that their performances at Live at Leeds and Isle of Wight, and you can hear they were clearly the greatest ensemble there has ever been!

Admittedly, I haven't been to a lot of big concerts (I grew up in the middle of nowhere), but out of all of them, there's an energy with Green Day that's impossible to match. The emotion that Billie is able to consistently put into his singing is on point. Mike still flawlessly plays his most famous bass lines, and Tre just keeps getting better with his drums. Combine that with perfect lighting, decade-defining songs, some of the most energetic crowds since Queen played at Live Aid, and you have a one-of-a-kind experience that is absolutely addicting and life-changing.

Just the entertainment they provide. I haven't seen a live performance yet, but the videos I have seen are amazing. Come December 2010, however, I'll be seeing Bon Jovi in Melbourne.

What can I say? The best band performer of our time! Energy, amazing songs, generous with fans, and generous with the world! I love your music, your kindness, your hearts! BON JOVI FOREVER! And I hope to see you soon in France!

Jon is kind of losing his voice, but I don't care.

I saw them at Mayhem 2012, which was their first tour after Paul Gray died. It was a very emotional performance in which they poured every ounce of energy, blood, and sweat into one of the greatest sets ever performed.

I have seen Slipknot live three times, most recently in Des Moines, Iowa (the band's hometown) in August of 2016. They were amazing. The entire band gave so much, and with Corey Taylor, who is such an amazing frontman, at the helm, Slipknot is an unstoppable live band.

They should be in the top ten 100%. If you do not believe me, search "Slipknot live at Sonisphere 2011."

U2 is far better than #9, who still sells out their concerts, and not only in the US but the whole world. I won't talk bad about the other bands because, in their own right, they are great bands, and of course, it's all about personal opinion and taste.

But what band these days can still put out good work, good songs, and great concerts? Only a handful, and "U2" is among that handful. GOD BLESS U2 FOREVER! E. Moreno

U2 is simply a superior live act compared to most bands. Even their biggest shows filled with their biggest songs do what other artists in this list cannot and make fans feel like it's just them and the band. This is what live music should achieve.

Metallica number 2, how funny. Hetfield just sucks live. LP and Queen are great, but nowhere near these guys. So, before voting, just see a live show of them. I am sure you will give your vote to them. Greatest band ever, no offense. A7X, my love, my heart, my inspiration.

Why are they only number 10? Seriously? They are amazing live, maybe even better than on their albums. They put on a good show, and they sound awesome, simple as that. Don't believe me? Check out their concert Live in the LBC.

Their show was the greatest thing I've ever seen in my life! The pyrotechnics were amazing, and the quality of their music was just as good, if not better, than on their albums. A7X forever!

For sure, Guns N' Roses is one of the best live bands, but please, no reunion! I don't want Slash's perfect guitar sound overshadowed by Axl's terrible voice.

One of the best live bands. I wish for a reunion!

This band is great live. Axl's voice may not be the same, although he puts effort into his vocals. Slash's riffs and solos are good as always. Duff's bass playing is always good. Fortus' rhythm playing is as good as Izzy's was.

What? Number 22? Are you kidding? Judas Priest must be in the top 10.

Amazing band! Rob Halford all the way!

I saw him at Wembley Stadium in 2013, and he is by far the greatest live performer I have ever seen. I've seen The Who (who are the second best), Paul Weller (3rd), Muse, Van Morrison, Green Day, Roger Waters performing Dark Side of the Moon, and many more. However, that day at Wembley Stadium will always stand out as the greatest show. Top band, top songs, and a man at the top of his game with a set of 3+ hours, including Darkness on the Edge of Town in its entirety. Outstanding! Even my friend, who doesn't really like him, had to admit it was the best show he's ever seen.

If Beethoven were alive today, he would be queuing in the rain for tickets to see The Rolling Stones. If seeing them is not on your bucket list, you probably don't have one.

Clearly, just a lot of young punks voting if The Stones are not number one, which they clearly are! No one performs like them. U2's performance at Live Aid '85 is the next best thing!

They should at least be in the top 5. I am a Queen fan, but I cannot see the Stones down in 13th.

I'm from Angola, and I enjoy every type of music, from Kuduro to jazz. Let me tell you this: I wouldn't call Coldplay's music "rock," "pop," or something else. Coldplay's music is therapy! Their songs are amazing and make anybody feel great regardless of their state of mind. I love you, and if Chris Martin dies one day, please take me with you. I'm a straight man and would love to be your friend. You seem to me a very blessed human being, not only you but the other members too. God bless you!

I've seen almost all of these bands live, and Muse was my favorite act... until I saw Coldplay. I have never seen such an emotionally charged and passionate show. The lights, the band, and the crowd all singing together in unison brought me to tears.

I wasn't super into Coldplay at first, but now that I've seen them live, I am a lifelong fan. 10/10, the best show ever. I would spend my life savings to follow them around on tour and die a happy man.

This is embarrassing. Aerosmith is the greatest live band ever, with 41 years of performing, and they're doing it better than ever. They don't need lights and big shows like U2 and Kiss.

A band that has been together for over 40 years. Simply the best individual musicians molded together to construct simply the best band. An absolutely terrific band that is respected by many other musicians in the business! They often played for three hours without another band to start them off.

Talk to anyone who knows anything about music, and they will tell you that Neil Peart is the best drummer, Geddy Lee is one of the best bassists in the history of the instrument, and ask them to name anyone else who can play guitar to any Rush song, let alone all of the Rush songs. YYZ, La Villa Strangiato, Xanadu come to mind specifically!

This band was never appreciated or respected by many so-called music experts, but Rush shamed all of those experts. Then, they gained almost all of those experts as fans!

Way ahead of their time. I can remember watching Live at Granada 1970, and Blackmore was practically having a seizure on stage, playing in crazy new ways. The crowd didn't know how to react because they had never seen anything like it.

No better live band in the world. On-stage improvisations, interactions with each other and the audience, trading solos here and there. Unmatched energy and chemistry.

When you can improvise 20, 30, and 40 minutes every night and still sound new and fresh, get back to me. Deep Purple is the best. There isn't even a debate.

I have seen Korn multiple times over the past 10 years, and every single time they knock it out of the park! My husband has seen more mainstream metal concerts than I have and thought I was exaggerating Korn's awesomeness. This past summer was his first experience with Korn, and he agreed they crank it up and create an energy that is just something I haven't yet been able to compare to another band. We are not huge Korn fans. They just do a very, very good job in concert. Thanks, Korn! See you next year!