20 artists we’d love to see live in Bangkok when the pandemic’s gone

Now that the British vocal powerhouse made a grandiose return with her highly-anticipated fourth record, 30, it would be something to look forward to if she actually went on tour to further promote the album. Adele has also gone through a physical makeover, introducing a “healthier, happier” look that, for a brief moment, overshadowed her musical progression. Regardless, we’re sure that anything she produces will be phenomenal, and we hope to experience it live. 

For now, watch this spine-chilling live version of her hit tune “Set Fire to the Rain”.

Long overdue: this Sheffield band rocking out live on stage before our own eyes. Alex Turner and co are reportedly recording a new album in Suffolk, and they’re known as tour artists, so there might be a chance we’ll finally see them perform in the flesh.

For now, watch this cool cut of “Arabella” from one of their live performances.

There’s no star shining brighter than “Miss Eyelash” at the moment. The 19-year-old just dropped her sophomore album Happier Than Ever, and has already sold out over 50 shows next year in North America and Europe. We’re pretty sure an Asia leg will come afterwards, so let’s keep our fingers crossed that Billie will add Bangkok to her line-up.

For now, watch this angst-driven performance of the title track of Billie’s new LP.

Even though Jack Antonoff's solo project Bleachers may not kill it on the commercial front like his productions for A-listed acts (ie, Taylor Swift or Lorde), the performer/producer is still a must-see if you’re a fan of music influenced by the ’80s, like his recent release Take the Saturday Out of Saturday Night, in which legendary musician Bruce Springsteen is featured. We’re hoping he’ll be nice enough to come to Bangkok once the international borders reopen.

For now, watch this quirky and moving clip of his single “How Dare You Want More”.

Talking about The Boss, we were surprised to discover that this Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has never set foot in Bangkok for a show. Well, Springsteen promised to return to the road in 2022 when the pandemic calms down. Let’s hope he won’t overlook our city this time around.

For now, indulge in a bit of nostalgia and watch him perform his masterpiece “Dancing in the Dark” in 2013.

The queen of Motown has never been here for a headline show! But die-hard fans may just have their dreams realized—she’s planning to drop her 25th studio album Thank You (her first since 2006) in November, and a UK tour is already in the works. Next stop, Bangkok?

For now, watch this fun-filled medley of her hits at the American Music Awards in 2017.

2020 was another good year for the Haim sisters, who released Women in Music Pt. III, a critics-hailed album that defies and redefines the definition of being women in rock music. The trio has yet to break into the mainstream in Thailand, but a lot of indie fans here would probably be over the moon to see them blast out their tunes onstage.

For now, watch this virtual concert to see how brilliant they are in live performances.

If Bangkok wants to up the concert game in Southeast Asia, then organizers must do anything they can to bring in the wizard of music, aka James Blake. Regarded for his captivating electronica music, we think that everyone (ie, us) should experience going into a trance-like state to his live music at least once. His new album Friends That Break Your Heart is set to be launched soon. 

For now, watch this haunting old—but gold—live session for NPR Music.

Early last year, the Internet went into a frenzy when it was announced that the Japanese singer would appear at VERY Festival: Spring-Break in March 2020 alongside his 88rising co-artist NIKI. But you know what happened: the C word! The performance was canceled but he did compensate later on in October by staging an online concert called The Extravaganza. When he does go back to doing live performances, we hope he considers a stop in Bangkok.

For now, enjoy Extravaganza online.

Just as heart-wrenching as her massive catalog of melodramatic bangers is the fact that this enigmatic alt-pop artist has never graced her fans in the kingdom with her onstage presence. It’s unknown whether Lana would go on tour in the near future after releasing Chemtrails Over the Country Club and Blue Banisters, but let’s pray the queen hears our prayers when she decides to.

For now, watch this not-so-sad rare TV appearance of her singing “Let Me Love You Like a Woman”.

The New Zealand star has bounced back after a four-year hiatus with her self-aware, socially-conscious folksy record Solar Power, and she will continue to please her fans with a world tour that’s scheduled for next year. Well if she wants a spot to worship the sun and its immense powers, there’s no better place like hot and humid Bangkok! 

For now, watch this cute AF live performance of the album’s title track on a windy rooftop with Jack Antonoff.

Before 2020, the name Miley Cyrus would probably raise your eyebrows and make you think of a kooky, if confused, personality that produced okay, sometimes catchy, pop tunes. But have you seen her recent transformation? The star has recently embarked on a pseudo-rocker path, starting with the release of a new album called Plastic Hearts, a very different-sounding collection that includes raspy ballads and covers of classic rock hits. The new Miley seems to be more respected now as a performer and, likely, a worthier act to see in a live concert.

For now, watch her slay “Heart of Glass” by legendary rock band Blondie.

Nicki is the “one that got away”. The rapper was slated to visit Bangkok in April 2019 to promote her Queen album but, for unknown reasons, the gig was axed. Let’s all hope that our friendly city will find its way to her list when Nicki decides to go on the road again.

For now, watch this over-the-top medley performance by the superstar at the 2018 VMAs.

This breakout Gen Z star rocked the music industry with SOUR, a debut album that reintroduced highschool punk rock back to the mainstream. The 18-year-old is set to travel the world in 2022 for her first big concert tour. It’d be awesome if she swings by Bangkok.

For now, watch her performance of chart-topping “drivers license” in her concert film Sour Prom.

It would be epic if this iconic musician came to Bangkok to perform both his solo hits and Beatles classics. The prolific octogenarian just released a new album last year, and hopefully this achievement inspires a world tour, with a stop in Bangkok.

For now, watch Sir Paul prove that he’s still got it at this live set in New York.

Years ago, no one would expect to see international hip-hop artists performing in Bangkok. But the local following for this musical genre has gotten bigger, and Posty is helping fuel the charge. By the time the pandemic makes its exit, he probably would have released his follow-up to 2019’s genre-bending Hollywood's Bleeding and will be all set to go on tour. Keeping our fingers crossed.

For now, watch him escape the virus and perform in a remote location for New Year’s Eve 2021.

Hoping that this performer-slash-beauty entrepreneur-slash-billionaire will soon produce new music is probably wishful thinking. But it’s all fun and games for us, her thirsty fans, to keep flooding the comments section on her IG with phrases like “WHERE’S THE ALBUM?” And when Rihanna decides to put her cosmetics biz aside and release music again, let’s flood her account with comments like “COME TO THAILAND. PLEASE!”

For now, watch the last time she remembered she was a singer and graced the stage for the 2016 VMAs.

Though he may not be considered mainstream, Tame Impala (aka Kevin Parker), is still big enough among indie heads in Thailand to fill up a venue. His recent work The Slow Rush was released during the pandemic, and we’re hoping that he’ll start making plans for a concert tour soon.

For now, watch this live at-home rendition of his hits for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts.

We don’t like to point fingers, but the military coup back in 2014 was possibly the reason why Tay Tay had to call off her show in Bangkok, marking the sole cancellation in her flawless streak of no-cancelled shows. Almost a decade—and five albums—later, there’s still no sign that the pop giant is reconsidering doing a show in the country. But Thai Swifities remain hopeful and wait patiently for that glorious day.

For now, watch an emotion-driven duet of “exile” with Bon Iver for Disney+’s documentary on her career-defining folklore album.

Thai rap fans would lose their mind if a top-notch act like Tyler, the Creator came to Bangkok for a show. And with Call Me If You Get Lost dropped back in June, we’re pretty sure he has enough material to blast out onstage for his fans.

For now, watch the rapper perform his new songs at Lollapalooza.