Submitted by jeffsang t3_zsocqv in Music

There are obviously tons of "solo" artists that play large venues, but most of them have backing bands or other supporting musicians. Often a whole lot of supporting musicians. Who are some artists that consistently perform shows in sizable venues completely alone with just sound they're creating for the audience (i.e. so excluding DJs that are mixing pre-recorded sounds)?

Artists I can think of include:

The Tallest Man on Earth - I've seen him several times and it's always just him on stage with his guitar. I've seen him play venues with capacity around 1,000 to 1,500 people.

Ben Folds - I think he's done several tours with just him on the piano, though he often tours with backing musicians as well. I've seen at venues around 2-4,000 capacity.

Neil Young - Another one that usually plays with a backing band, though I did see him do a purely solo performance once at a ~3,600 seat venue.

Who am I missing? Maybe some contemporary pianists like Keith Jarret or George Winston? Are there any artists who have played arena shows all by themselves?

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attorneyatslaw t1_j1986yd wrote

Bruce Springsteen did a few hundred one man shows on broadway a couple years ago with just a piano and a guitar.

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jeffsang OP t1_j19dqyp wrote

Good example. Like Neil Young, not his typical show but those solo Broadway shows were crazy popular and incredible (at least based on what I saw from the Netflix recording).

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emalvick t1_j19b0oe wrote

Andrew Bird often just backs himself by looping multiple instruments together. I've seen him at venues for 1,000+

Fiona Apple.... usually just her and a piano (and a guitar when I saw her)

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jeffsang OP t1_j19dcmx wrote

I forgot about Andrew Bird. I've seen him live but forgot all that looping was created live and rather than pre-recorded.

Didn't know about Fiona Apple. Would love to see that show.

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emalvick t1_j19eg4q wrote

Yes... I have seen him with a drummer once, but many other times solo.

Fiona seems to prefer things on her own as even her albums have little accompaniment. I've only seen her once. Not sure she even toured on this last album.

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