http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/50-greatest-live-acts-right-now-20130731

Bruce Springsteen is number one according to Rolling stone magazine.

Prince comes at #2.

2. Prince
He's never sounded better, his band 3rd Eye Girl is fire-hot and he's plundering his back catalog with a vengeance; check the Youtube clips of his grunge-blues remake of "L...Go Crazy." "He's a better guitarist than you are," says Cliff Burnstein of Q Prime Managment. "He's a better singer than you are. He can dance better than you. His songs are better than yours. You might have a better jump shot, though."

Showstopper: "Purple Rain," especially when Prince launches into the epic guitar solo. Or another one. Prince can make the building collapse with any song if he feels like it.

I agree with #1 and #2 1,000%.

Prince is great but no one in the world can match what Springsteen is doing right now (and has been doing for the last 3 years straight).

HOWEVER, there are some things on this list;

1. Springsteen - Yep
2. Prince - Yep
3. Rolling Stones - I can see that
4. Arcade Fire - The blurb says they haven't performed but once since 2011, and that was a secret show! How can they be one of the best live bands RIGHT NOW when they haven't played live in two years?!?
5. Neil Young - OK

Interesting that 4 of the top 5 are acts in their 50's - 70's. In fact, most of the top 20 have an average age of 40+.

And again, another list. tbh the list is pretty good. good selection, some missing, some could have been higher. Something like Taylor Swift should not be in the list at all...............

Springsteen is legendary, amazing live performer, there is no one like him. no one. he deserved the no. 1 spot. with no doubt. Speechless everytime i saw him. he IS better than Prince imo live. at least nowadays.

[Edited 7/31/13 17:21pm]

Springsteen is great but there is only one King and that is Prince. I have heard Arcade Fire is amazing so maybe that is just who they assume is still amazing at the moment?

I've seen two shows over the past month or so. I wasn't expecting much at both and was completely blown away by how amazing both performers/shows were. The first was Bruno Mars. This guy is the real deal and deserves a spot on that list. Every single song he played was better than the recorded version. I haven't wanted to track down a bootleg of a show so bad since I was a kid in the 80's looking for Prince boots. The second was Robert Plant and the Spaceshifters. HOLY F$ck!!g these guys were insanely good. They came right out of the gate with two spot on Zep covers and went on to do about 8 Zep songs in total. Some completey reworked in ways that somehow seemed better than the originals. The stuff in bewteen was a wonderful fusion of every sound you could imagine from industrial to bluegrass to middle-eastern, to african. Plant is a seasoned old pro and a great performer. Both should be on this list .

RodeoSchro said:

HOWEVER, there are some things on this list;

1. Springsteen - Yep
2. Prince - Yep
3. Rolling Stones - I can see that
4. Arcade Fire - The blurb says they haven't performed but once since 2011, and that was a secret show! How can they be one of the best live bands RIGHT NOW when they haven't played live in two years?!?
5. Neil Young - OK

Interesting that 4 of the top 5 are acts in their 50's - 70's. In fact, most of the top 20 have an average age of 40+.

4. Arcade Fire
The Montreal band has proven that emotionally apocalyptic indie rock can be as grand as U2 without losing any of its chaotic intensity. They've barely played live since owning the 2011 Grammy Awards, and they have a new album nearly in the can (due late October), which may include music produced with James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. This, plus word on a secret Montreal hometown show last winter, suggests their shows may be even more of a communal dance party than usual.

You might be taking the right now part a bit too literally. I haven't seen Arcade Fire live since 2010, but the first time I saw them, in a club here in Toronto just after Funeral was released in 2004, will always be one of the greatest shows I've seen. Absolutely mindblowing, and up there with Prince, Bruce and Tom Waits.

Let's c, the name of this site is "Prince.org", but this article is NOT on the "front page"??? ¿Por qué?

Let's c, the name of this site is "Prince.org", but this article is NOT on the "front page"??? ¿Por qué?

linus4000 said:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/50-greatest-live-acts-right-now-20130731

Bruce Springsteen is number one according to Rolling stone magazine.

Prince comes at #2.

2. Prince
He's never sounded better, his band 3rd Eye Girl is fire-hot and he's plundering his back catalog with a vengeance; check the Youtube clips of his grunge-blues remake of "L...Go Crazy." "He's a better guitarist than you are," says Cliff Burnstein of Q Prime Managment. "He's a better singer than you are. He can dance better than you. His songs are better than yours. You might have a better jump shot, though."

Showstopper: "Purple Rain," especially when Prince launches into the epic guitar solo. Or another one. Prince can make the building collapse with any song if he feels like it.

Once upon two or three weeks ago

There was a dude who said 3EG wasn't taken seriously as a band

I guess "dude" likes to speak with authority about things he doesn't know about

Bruce Springsteen #1?

linus4000 said:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/50-greatest-live-acts-right-now-20130731

Bruce Springsteen is number one according to Rolling stone magazine.

Prince comes at #2.

2. Prince
He's never sounded better, his band 3rd Eye Girl is fire-hot and he's plundering his back catalog with a vengeance; check the Youtube clips of his grunge-blues remake of "L...Go Crazy." "He's a better guitarist than you are," says Cliff Burnstein of Q Prime Managment. "He's a better singer than you are. He can dance better than you. His songs are better than yours. You might have a better jump shot, though."

Showstopper: "Purple Rain," especially when Prince launches into the epic guitar solo. Or another one. Prince can make the building collapse with any song if he feels like it.

I'd flip them round but, for me, Springsteen is the only act I can take seriously as an alternative when people argue that Prince isn't the greatest live act.

hw3004 said:

linus4000 said:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/50-greatest-live-acts-right-now-20130731

Bruce Springsteen is number one according to Rolling stone magazine.

Prince comes at #2.

2. Prince
He's never sounded better, his band 3rd Eye Girl is fire-hot and he's plundering his back catalog with a vengeance; check the Youtube clips of his grunge-blues remake of "L...Go Crazy." "He's a better guitarist than you are," says Cliff Burnstein of Q Prime Managment. "He's a better singer than you are. He can dance better than you. His songs are better than yours. You might have a better jump shot, though."

Showstopper: "Purple Rain," especially when Prince launches into the epic guitar solo. Or another one. Prince can make the building collapse with any song if he feels like it.

I'd flip them round but, for me, Springsteen is the only act I can take seriously as an alternative when people argue that Prince isn't the greatest live act.

Springsteen is he only real competition.

Tempest said:

Bruce Springsteen #1?

Have you ever been to a Springsteen show?

No, I haven't seen him live. However, I have seen him perform live on TV. I've never liked him. I think his music is boring and I can only take his voice in very small doses. Every time I hear him it sounds like someone who's straining to go to the bathroom or needs to clear his throat. It's annoying to the ears. Seriously. I'm not saying he's not talented because a lot of people feel that he is. However, I wouldn't pay a nickel to go see him. In fact, I wouldn't attend if I had a free ticket. Just my 2 cents.

HombreX said:

Let's c, the name of this site is "Prince.org", but this article is NOT on the "front page"??? ¿Por qué?

It's hardly a big deal.

Tempest said:

No, I haven't seen him live. However, I have seen him perform live on TV. I've never liked him. I think his music is boring and I can only take his voice in very small doses. Every time I hear him it sounds like someone who's straining to go to the bathroom or needs to clear his throat. It's annoying to the ears. Seriously. I'm not saying he's not talented because a lot of people feel that he is. However, I wouldn't pay a nickel to go see him. In fact, I wouldn't attend if I had a free ticket. Just my 2 cents.

None of this has anything to do with what kind of show he puts on.

I have never met anyone that didn't love a Springsteen show. He puts on an amazing show with a great band. He communicates well with the crowd and plays for hours.

I can see how he would be number 1.

At least RS chose real artists that make real music as their top 5. Not sure who else is on the list as I haven't looked yet.

Genesia said:

Tempest said:

No, I haven't seen him live. However, I have seen him perform live on TV. I've never liked him. I think his music is boring and I can only take his voice in very small doses. Every time I hear him it sounds like someone who's straining to go to the bathroom or needs to clear his throat. It's annoying to the ears. Seriously. I'm not saying he's not talented because a lot of people feel that he is. However, I wouldn't pay a nickel to go see him. In fact, I wouldn't attend if I had a free ticket. Just my 2 cents.

None of this has anything to do with what kind of show he puts on.

Yup. I saw him last summer for the seventh time, and it was the best show I've ever seen him do. Probably the best show I've ever seen in fact. Pure joy for nearly 4 hours.

SpiritChild said:

Prince & 3rd Eye Girl #1
Prince & NPG Hornz #6429

Do tell...

Tempest said:

No, I haven't seen him live. However, I have seen him perform live on TV. I've never liked him. I think his music is boring and I can only take his voice in very small doses. Every time I hear him it sounds like someone who's straining to go to the bathroom or needs to clear his throat. It's annoying to the ears. Seriously. I'm not saying he's not talented because a lot of people feel that he is. However, I wouldn't pay a nickel to go see him. In fact, I wouldn't attend if I had a free ticket. Just my 2 cents.

^^

This.

Had to turn the TV down when he butchered the Super Bowl show, sure the "performance" had energy but he sounded shite, in fact I reckon Bob Dylan can sing better and that is fucking saying something that dude is tone deaf!

Prince is the best live performer BAR NONE.

You asked me if I'd ever seen a live Springsteen show. My answer was no I haven't but I've seen him perform live on TV. He does absolutely nothing for me (performance wise, music wise or voice wise). If he floats your boat, that's fantastic. I wouldn't attend a show of his even if you paid me to. I couldn't sit through it because I don't like his music or his voice. He could be the greatest "performer" in the world (in the eyes of some) and I could care less. Listening to his strained voice and mediocre music is not my cup of tea REGARDLESS of what kind of a show he puts on. I simply don't care. I want to go see someone who's music I like & who's voice is pleasant to the ear.

Genesia said:

Tempest said:

No, I haven't seen him live. However, I have seen him perform live on TV. I've never liked him. I think his music is boring and I can only take his voice in very small doses. Every time I hear him it sounds like someone who's straining to go to the bathroom or needs to clear his throat. It's annoying to the ears. Seriously. I'm not saying he's not talented because a lot of people feel that he is. However, I wouldn't pay a nickel to go see him. In fact, I wouldn't attend if I had a free ticket. Just my 2 cents.

None of this has anything to do with what kind of show he puts on.

[Edited 8/1/13 8:45am]

TwiliteKid said:

Genesia said:

None of this has anything to do with what kind of show he puts on.

Yup. I saw him last summer for the seventh time, and it was the best show I've ever seen him do. Probably the best show I've ever seen in fact. Pure joy for nearly 4 hours.

The other thing with Bruce is you always know you're going to get a kickass show that runs 3 to 4 hours.

With Prince, it can just as easily be three hours - or half that. You might get amazing guitar solos - or Shelby yelling "Put your hands up!" ad nauseum.

The fact that a Prince show is a crapshoot is why he isn't the hands-down #1.

[Edited 8/1/13 8:42am]

Genesia said:

TwiliteKid said:

Yup. I saw him last summer for the seventh time, and it was the best show I've ever seen him do. Probably the best show I've ever seen in fact. Pure joy for nearly 4 hours.

The other thing with Bruce is you always know you're going to get a kickass show that runs 3 to 4 hours.

With Prince, it can just as easily be three hours - or half that. You might get amazing guitar solos - or Shelby yelling "Put your hands up!" ad nauseum.

The fact that a Prince show is a crapshoot is why he isn't the hands-down #1.

[Edited 8/1/13 8:42am]

3 to 4 hours of the same old shit and all the guy wears is fucking denim, at least the wee fella puts on the flouncy shirts and the velvet strides when he puts it down.

hw3004 said:

linus4000 said:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/50-greatest-live-acts-right-now-20130731

Bruce Springsteen is number one according to Rolling stone magazine.

Prince comes at #2.

2. Prince
He's never sounded better, his band 3rd Eye Girl is fire-hot and he's plundering his back catalog with a vengeance; check the Youtube clips of his grunge-blues remake of "L...Go Crazy." "He's a better guitarist than you are," says Cliff Burnstein of Q Prime Managment. "He's a better singer than you are. He can dance better than you. His songs are better than yours. You might have a better jump shot, though."

Showstopper: "Purple Rain," especially when Prince launches into the epic guitar solo. Or another one. Prince can make the building collapse with any song if he feels like it.

I'd flip them round but, for me, Springsteen is the only act I can take seriously as an alternative when people argue that Prince isn't the greatest live act.

Springsteen is the only real competition.

Genesia said:

TwiliteKid said:

Yup. I saw him last summer for the seventh time, and it was the best show I've ever seen him do. Probably the best show I've ever seen in fact. Pure joy for nearly 4 hours.

The other thing with Bruce is you always know you're going to get a kickass show that runs 3 to 4 hours.

With Prince, it can just as easily be three hours - or half that. You might get amazing guitar solos - or Shelby yelling "Put your hands up!" ad nauseum.

The fact that a Prince show is a crapshoot is why he isn't the hands-down #1.

This is true. You could squeeze two Prince concerts into one Springsteen show--maybe three if you took out all the time Prince spends being off the stage before taking his multiple encores.

Bruce also changes up his setlist in a way that Prince only pretends to and plays a mixture of old and new songs, plus many fan favorites. The #2 slot rightly recognizes Prince's amazing concert abilities and is much deserved, but Bruce has worked his ass off to earn that top spot.

Efan said:

Genesia said:

The other thing with Bruce is you always know you're going to get a kickass show that runs 3 to 4 hours.

With Prince, it can just as easily be three hours - or half that. You might get amazing guitar solos - or Shelby yelling "Put your hands up!" ad nauseum.

The fact that a Prince show is a crapshoot is why he isn't the hands-down #1.

This is true. You could squeeze two Prince concerts into one Springsteen show--maybe three if you took out all the time Prince spends being off the stage before taking his multiple encores.

Bruce also changes up his setlist in a way that Prince only pretends to and plays a mixture of old and new songs, plus many fan favorites. The #2 slot rightly recognizes Prince's amazing concert abilities and is much deserved, but Bruce has worked his ass off to earn that top spot.

Yes, and P say around with his thumb up his ass all these years. (LOL) No work was involved at all. I have never gone to a Prince show and seen not on stage the majority of the time or even heard that he was spenting a lot of time off stage. Maybe you went to a show were he did it but do not imply that this is a routine for him. Nothing like the Org to take one to few incidents and blow it out of portion.

purple1968 said:

Efan said:

This is true. You could squeeze two Prince concerts into one Springsteen show--maybe three if you took out all the time Prince spends being off the stage before taking his multiple encores.

Bruce also changes up his setlist in a way that Prince only pretends to and plays a mixture of old and new songs, plus many fan favorites. The #2 slot rightly recognizes Prince's amazing concert abilities and is much deserved, but Bruce has worked his ass off to earn that top spot.

Yes, and P say around with his thumb up his ass all these years. (LOL) No work was involved at all. I have never gone to a Prince show and seen not on stage the majority of the time or even heard that he was spenting a lot of time off stage. Maybe you went to a show were he did it but do not imply that this is a routine for him. Nothing like the Org to take one to few incidents and blow it out of portion.

Spend some time looking at the setlists on Princevault, particularlily the Welcome 2 shows, and you'lll see that's its not so rare. The show I saw, Prince was offstage for nearly 10 minutes while the girls did a dreadful version of Angel, followed by an instrumental. And even if he is on stage, when the focus is Shelby and not him, it amounts to the same thing.

purple1968 said:

Efan said:

This is true. You could squeeze two Prince concerts into one Springsteen show--maybe three if you took out all the time Prince spends being off the stage before taking his multiple encores.

Bruce also changes up his setlist in a way that Prince only pretends to and plays a mixture of old and new songs, plus many fan favorites. The #2 slot rightly recognizes Prince's amazing concert abilities and is much deserved, but Bruce has worked his ass off to earn that top spot.

Yes, and P say around with his thumb up his ass all these years. (LOL) No work was involved at all. I have never gone to a Prince show and seen not on stage the majority of the time or even heard that he was spenting a lot of time off stage. Maybe you went to a show were he did it but do not imply that this is a routine for him. Nothing like the Org to take one to few incidents and blow it out of portion.

Nothing like the Org to make one wish everybody had reading-comprehension skills....