This Year, Artists Used the Stage as Their Runway

When COVID first hit in 2020, the idea of a big, splashy concert ever happening again seemed almost impossible. But this year, with mask mandates and vaccinations in place, artists returned to the stage and reunited with their audiences again. Viva live music! To make up for lost time, it’s been a year of epic performance style. 

Theatricality was top of mind for many of music’s biggest stars this year. The fashion they wore on stage had an impact even on those sitting in the nosebleeds. Metallics, sequins, and bold colors were a definitive trend throughout artists of all genres. Take Lil Nas X, who recently performed at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball wearing a shiny pink puffer coat, pleated skirt, and cropped turtleneck. He looked like a high-fashion cheerleader, and redefined rapper style in a way that only he can. Equally as strong were all of the Gucci looks that Harry Styles wore on his Love On Tour. That red fringed, sequin vest and matching trousers are still living in our heads rent free. 

Olivia Rodrigo has had a breakout year, and she’s brought along a fresh fashion eye to her various performances. One of our favorites was when she sang “Good 4 U” at the MTV VMAs, dressed in a custom look by Heaven by Marc Jacobs that included a printed, tiered, ruffed dress with matching opera gloves. Youthful and fun. In a more elegant move, Adele performed her CBS special, One Night Only, wearing a custom, Old Hollywood-style gown by Schiaparelli. The real standout, though, were her dramatic Saturn earrings. Fitting for her to wear a big planet on her ears, given she’s a huge star!

Below, more of the year’s best performance style moments.