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You know when you’re watching a late-night talk show and right after the host finishes interviewing some actor, they say something like "And now, performing their new single, give it up for....." That’s a musical guest. Basically, it’s when a musician or band stops by a TV show, podcast, awards ceremony, or even another artist’s concert to perform a song or two. It’s not a full concert, just a little taste of their music, often to promote whatever they’ve got coming out. Musical guests have been a thing for decades, and they’re a win-win. The show gets a cool performance to keep viewers hooked, and the artist gets free publicity. Plus, fans get to see their favorite acts in a different setting, maybe even doing a stripped-down acoustic version or something unexpected.
If there’s one place where musical guests thrive, it’s late-night TV. Shows like The Tonight Show, Late Night with Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel Live have been hosting musicians forever. Back in the day, legends like The Beatles, Madonna, and Prince made iconic appearances. Now it’s how a lot of people discover new artists, like when Billie Eilish first performed on The Tonight Show before she blew up.
These performances aren’t always perfect, and that’s part of the fun. Sometimes there are technical glitches, or the artist tries something wild that either works amazingly or totally flops. But that’s live TV for you. The best moments? When an artist goes off script, like the time Fiona Apple smashed a cymbal on SNL or Adele cracking up mid song because she messed up the lyrics.
Speaking of Saturday Night Live (SNL), no show has a more legendary history with musical guests. Since the 1970s, nearly every big name in music has performed there, from Bowie to Beyoncé, Nirvana to BTS. The cool and slightly terrifying thing about SNL is that it’s all live, no do-overs. That pressure has led to some unforgettable performances, both good and bad. Some artists totally own it, like when Prince shredded "Let’s Go Crazy" in 2014 or Lady Gaga’s over-the-top theatrics. Others, well, let’s just say not everyone survives SNL. There’s a reason Ashlee Simpson’s infamous lip sync fail is still talked about years later. But hey, that’s showbiz.
Award shows love a good musical guest moment, especially when it’s a surprise. Remember when Kendrick Lamar brought the house down at the Grammys with his politically charged performance? Or when Dolly Parton showed up at the ACM Awards and had everyone singing along? These moments turn into instant memes, GIFs, and watercooler talk. Then there are the unexpected collabs, like when Paul McCartney and Rihanna performed together at the Grammys, or that time Eminem brought out Elton John. Award shows know people mostly tune in for the performances, not the actual awards, so they go all out.
Musical guests aren’t just for TV anymore. Now podcasts and radio shows get in on the action too. Shows like Tiny Desk Concerts by NPR have become a huge deal. Artists perform intimate, often acoustic sets in a cozy office setting. It’s a different vibe from a big stage, and fans eat it up. Even non-music podcasts love having musicians on. Joe Rogan’s had everyone from Post Malone to Dave Grohl just shooting the breeze. It’s a cool way to hear artists talk like normal people instead of just performing.
At the end of the day, musical guests keep things fresh. They give artists a chance to reach new fans, try out new material, or just have fun in a different setting. For viewers, it’s a way to see your favorite acts without buying concert tickets, though let’s be real, live shows are still the best. And let’s not forget the weird, wild moments that only happen with live performances: the outfit malfunctions, the unexpected covers, the sheer chaos of a last-minute guest appearance. That’s the magic of it. So next time you see "special musical guest" in the credits, stick around. You might just witness something unforgettable.