Each year, New Year’s Eve yields some of the most jaw-dropping musical performances. There have been thousands of contenders throughout the contemporary history of show business, but a handful of artists have left us with unforgettable NYE legacies.
Here are a handful of the best New Year’s Eve shows in recent history (with haiku previews to give you an idea of what you’re getting yourself into).
Phish, NYC 2011
Thirty minute jam
Slew of suspended dancers
Trippy as hell, man
Pretty Lights, Denver 2011
Wild laser array
Mid-set champagne toasts quench thirst
Wompy bass drops rule
The Flaming Lips, Oklahoma City 2010
Confetti countdown
Wayne Coyne’s toy trumpet solo
Giant balloon joy
Girl Talk, Chicago 2009
On-stage house party
Genius marriage proposal
Music smorgasbord
Deadmau5, London 2010
Animation plays
The superhero swoops in
Commence trance goodness
Coldplay, Abu Dhabi 2012
Light-up clocks spinning
Exotic New Year’s event
Literal song choice
Jamiroquai, Sydney 2011
Funky departure
Superimposed pyramids
Rockin’ that headdress
Michael Jackson, Brunei 1997
Really long intro
Robot MJ emerges
Dances his ass off
Happy New Year’s!
