Music

Top 10 Onstage Musician Meltdowns

by Anne T. Donahue

Yesterday we learned about Dave Grohl continuing his reign as hero of our hearts by throwing out a rowdy fan from a Foo Fighters show. And while his badass-ness by no means constitutes as a full-blown proper meltdown, we figure there’s no better time to acknowledge the musicians that aren’t so lucky. Thus, here are ten collar-tugging, fight-between-your-friends-parents-when-you’re-over-for-dinner-type meltdowns to make you feel better about your day.

10. Odd Future (Detroit, 2011)

You want to throw something at Tyler, the Creator? He will take off his shirt, make you jealous of his physique, and incite some sort of Beauty and the Beast-inspired riot. Gaston could learn a thing or two.

9. Wavves (Spain, 2009)

Not to say that the episode of Mad Men where Don Draper goes on a bender and makes Peggy stay on her birthday and then cries is based on Nathan Williams‘ Primavera meltdown, but it probably is.

8. Courtney Love (Washington, 2010)

Not that Courtney Love stripping constitutes as a “meltdown,” but considering this followed a racist tirade and forgetting lyrics and repeating songs and fans calling “bullshit,” this is the equivalent of watching a drunken family member limbo to Usher‘s “Yeah.”

7. Badly Drawn Boy (L.A., 2010)

We’re all for telling people what you think, but sometimes it’s important to pretend that you actually want to be somewhere when people paid money to see you be at that place. Or maybe just avoid calling them cunts.

6. Amy Winehouse (Belgrade, 2011)

You know, we’ve all been that person at the karaoke bar who has a little too much to drink and forgets the words to “My Heart Will Go On,” and really, if Amy chooses to use a major public platform to do her best impression of Marla Hooch singing to Nelson in A League Of Their Own, who are we to judge?

5. Oasis (Toronto, 2008)

And then there are the times where a meltdown (or in this case, a complete disappearing act) is completely called for.

4. Ariel Pink (Coachella, 2011)

In all fairness, Robbie Hart and “Love Stinks” really left an imprint on us, too. (if that scene consisted solely of Robbie standing there staring the father of the bride and swaying aimlessly to George’s rendition of “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me”).

3. Sly and the Family Stone (Coachella, 2010)

There comes a time when it’s not even right to laugh, and the only reasonable reaction is to bury your face in your hands, shake your head and pray for the courage to press pause. (Note: we did not have that courage.)

2. Lady Sovereign (Brooklyn, 2007)

You may not be as familiar with Lady Sovereign as you were in the late ’00s, but it’s time to remember that despite not having released anything in recent memory, her impression of Bill Nighy’s character in Love Actually is everything you could want it to be and more.

1. Notorious B.I.G. (San Fransisco, 1995)

We’re not going to lie: if you mess up DJ-ing Notorious B.I.G.’s set, you probably deserve to have the noise brought down on you.