Concerts are the epitome of energy, where fans connect with their favorite artists through music and live performances. However, the world of live music can sometimes throw unexpected moments into the mix. Artists, especially those with unique personalities, often speak to the crowd in between songs, and occasionally, their comments become memorable for all the wrong reasons. From strange anecdotes to unexpected outbursts, these moments have a way of becoming legendary. Here are some of the strangest things that have been said by artists during a concert, leaving fans in awe or confusion.
1. Axl Rose and His Outburst at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards
Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose has never been one to shy away from controversy, and one of the most bizarre moments happened during their performance at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. Before starting their rendition of “November Rain,” Axl made a very peculiar statement: “We’re all here to be judged. We’re all here to be judged in different ways, so don’t judge me for what I say. You guys are about to get a dose of what happens when you get on the same level as these guys.” The weirdness stemmed from the vagueness and defensiveness of the remark, leaving fans and fellow performers perplexed. Axl had a history of unpredictable behavior, but this statement remains one of his most enigmatic.
2. Kanye West’s 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Incident
Kanye West has built a reputation for being unpredictable, but his infamous moment during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards cemented his place in pop culture history. After Taylor Swift won the award for Best Female Video for “You Belong With Me,” Kanye interrupted her speech, saying, “I’m sorry, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.” While it was a shocking and audacious move, the strangest part was his delivery — his choice to disrupt the moment and target a fellow artist left the audience stunned. Kanye later apologized, but the event became a hallmark of his unpredictable nature.
3. David Lee Roth and His ‘Spontaneous’ Lyrics
David Lee Roth, the energetic frontman of Van Halen, is known for his wild antics on stage. During one of the band’s shows, Roth went on an extended, impromptu monologue in between songs. While the band was tuning, Roth launched into a bizarre, nonsensical rant. “Let’s get into a fight with the band. We’re here for a reason, not to make things easy for you. Look at these people, folks! You’ve got your own people sitting there in the audience; they’re here to see us.” What made this even more strange was his level of enthusiasm, as he delivered his comments with the same fervor as if he were singing the next hit song, leaving the crowd unsure of whether he was joking, serious, or just creatively lost in his thoughts.
4. Prince’s Silence at Coachella
Prince was known for his deep, almost mystical approach to music, but during a 2008 Coachella performance, he went a step further into the strange and mysterious. After performing for about an hour, he simply paused for what seemed like an eternity, standing completely still in front of his band. He didn’t say a word, nor did he move. After several long, awkward moments, the crowd began to cheer, trying to encourage him to speak or play. But Prince just kept standing there, silence echoing louder than any sound he could have made. The odd part was that he had a tendency to play with the crowd’s expectations — and in this case, the prolonged silence felt more like a profound statement than a random moment.
5. Lorde’s Incident with a Fan’s Selfie
Lorde is known for being thoughtful and well-spoken, but during a concert in 2014, she made an odd remark about fans taking selfies. After spotting a fan in the crowd trying to take a selfie while she performed, Lorde sarcastically called them out: “You know, I’m performing right now, right? That’s cool that you’re taking a selfie. But maybe, just maybe, you could put the phone down and pay attention.” While the comment was certainly bold and likely meant to be funny, it left the crowd divided, with some fans finding it humorous and others feeling uncomfortable. It was an uncharacteristic move for Lorde, who usually engages with fans in a more gentle way, making this moment even more peculiar.
6. Bono’s 360° Tour: The Politics of ‘Mojos’
U2’s Bono has always been a voice for political activism, but during their 360° Tour in 2009, he made an odd reference to “mojos” while talking about global justice. “We need to fight against the man! We’ve got to stand together, no matter where you’re from. No matter what mojo you’ve got. This is for the mojose!” The bizarre use of the word “mojo” in this political speech was not only odd in context but also baffled many of the audience members who didn’t know whether Bono was mixing up his metaphors or channeling some sort of spiritual force. Bono has had a history of odd comments, but this one was certainly a strange way to talk about global unity and social justice.
7. Ozzy Osbourne’s Rambling on Stage
The Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, is known for his quirky behavior, especially on stage. During a performance in the early 1980s, Ozzy started a rambling monologue that was entirely incoherent. He randomly stated, “You know, I was talking to a squirrel yesterday, and it told me to stop drinking so much milk. And I thought, wow! A squirrel told me to stop drinking milk!” The audience laughed nervously, unsure whether Ozzy was joking or if this was a sign of something deeper going on. With Osbourne’s chaotic behavior, fans weren’t entirely sure whether this was part of his act or a sign that his world was becoming increasingly out of control.
8. Marilyn Manson’s Rant About Humanity
Known for his shocking and theatrical persona, Marilyn Manson has always pushed boundaries both in music and in his live performances. However, during a show in 2012, Manson took the strange to a new level with a bizarre rant. “We are the disease. You’re the disease. But I am the cure,” he shouted into the mic, launching into a passionate and disturbing speech about how humanity was doomed. The rant included wild contradictions, such as encouraging people to “embrace their sins” while condemning society’s moral decay. The odd mix of self-proclaimed wisdom and the chaotic delivery had the audience unsure whether to cheer or leave in confusion.
9. Miley Cyrus and the “Salvia Moment”
Miley Cyrus’ concert moments are often more shocking than others, especially after her infamous “Salvia incident” from 2010. During a live show, she made a strange and seemingly unprovoked comment: “Life is like a salvia trip. It’s crazy. It’s weird. But you gotta hold on tight.” The audience was left to wonder whether she was trying to make a philosophical statement or just add fuel to her ongoing controversial image. Either way, the bizarre metaphor only added to her growing reputation as a pop star with unpredictable behavior.
10. Keith Richards’ “Should I Play the Wrong Chord?”
The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards is an iconic figure, but sometimes his sense of humor on stage borders on the strange. During a live show, he made an odd remark, “Should I play the wrong chord and see what happens?” As if the notion of him deliberately making a mistake was somehow amusing, Keith’s comment was unusual, considering his status as one of rock’s most seasoned musicians. Fans weren’t sure if he was being self-deprecating or genuinely throwing a curveball to see how the crowd would react. It was a strange way to break up the performance, but it certainly made fans laugh.
Conclusion
The world of live concerts is unpredictable, and sometimes the most bizarre moments come from artists stepping away from the music and directly engaging with the crowd. Whether it’s a strange rant, an unexpected outburst, or a cryptic message, these moments can leave a lasting impression and become iconic for all the odd reasons. Fans may not always understand what was said, but these unpredictable events add to the legend of the performers who take the stage.
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