Top 10 Amazing Demi Lovato Live Performances
#10: “The Star-Spangled Banner” “Super Bowl LIV” (2020)
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Listen – performing the National Anthem ain’t no joke. It’s pretty easy to mess up, and plenty of people have messed it up before. But not Demi Lovato – this isn’t her first rodeo. Demi sang the anthem at the Super Bowl in 2020, ahead of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Some people tend to go a little overboard when they sing the anthem – throwing runs and extra notes all over the place – but Demi strikes a nice balance between honoring the original tune and putting her own spin on things. By the time she gets to that last high note, the crowd is on her side and she absolutely nails it.
#9: “Sorry Not Sorry” “34th MTV Video Music Awards” (2017)
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We all know “Sorry Not Sorry” is a bop, and one of many songs where Demi blows off her haters. She sounds amazing every time she sings it live, but it’s really hard to top the vibe of this performance. Performed outside in at the Palms Casino in Vegas, this Video Music Awards performance is a full-blown party. The stage is surrounded by a pool and the whole audience is splashing and singing in the water. The atmosphere is great, and Demi looks and sounds even better – by the time she makes it to adlibs and riffs at the end, her voice sounds stronger than ever.
#8: “Stayin’ Alive” “59th Annual Grammy Awards” (2017)
The Bee Gees are iconic, and it takes a budding icon to do them justice. Joined by the likes of Tori Kelly, Andra Day and Little Big Town, Demi paid tribute to the disco legends at the 2017 Grammys, not once, but twice. Her rendition of “If I Can’t Have You” is gorgeous, but we’ve got to give the award to her hip-shaking cover of “Stayin’ Alive.” Barry Gibb’s falsetto is comparable to none, but Demi’s belt proves strong in the short time she gets to rock it. And if Barry Gibb’s face when the camera pans towards him is any indication, he enjoyed this just as much as we did.
#7: “Take Me To Church” “Live Lounge” (2000-)
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So we know Demi can take on older disco covers, but what about newer ones? No surprise here, but she’s an expert at those too. Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” quickly became a rock hit, and everyone fell in love with his folksy vocals. You might not think the song would work with a more pop, diva-oriented singer like Demi, but it does. She uses dynamics to her advantage here, pulling back on some of the earlier higher notes for emotional effect instead of letting loose – so by the time she gets to the last chorus, her riffs, and that last line in particular, feel earned.
#6: “Confident” “43rd Annual American Music Awards” (2015)
What’s wrong with being confident, you ask? Nothing. In fact, it’s pretty great. Especially if you’re Demi Lovato giving this absolutely electrifying performance at the 2015 American Music Awards. “Confident” is a song that will always get people on their feet and singing along, but the way Demi comes out balls to the wall for this performance and NEVER lets up makes this one unforgettable. She is feeling herself, and the crowd it too – peep ex-boyfriend and “Camp Rock” love interest Joe Jonas singing along. You love to see it!
#5: “Tiny Desk (Home) Concert” (2021)
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NPR Music Demi is a pop star – a wonderful pop star, who has many awesome pop anthems meant to fill stadiums. But, sometimes it’s nice to hear her wonderful vocals stripped down. We got that chance in 2021 when she did one of NPR Tiny Desks (Home) Concerts. She performed “Tell Me You Love Me,” “The Art of Starting Over” and “Dancing with the Devil” from her backyard in Los Angeles. Seeing Demi in her element and at her own home brings a real intimacy to the experience. While we wish she could have been in the NPR offices, it was very special to see her so relaxed.
#4: “Sorry Not Sorry” “45th Annual American Music Awards” (2017)
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We know, we know – we said it would be hard to top the “Sorry Not Sorry” performance at the VMAs earlier in this list – HARD, but not impossible. The top “Sorry Not Sorry” performance without a doubt belongs to this killer showing at the American Music Awards. Demi has never been afraid to face hate head on, but here she took it to another level. Before she starts singing, hateful messages she’s received pop on the screen. While that hate may have hurt her in the moment, you can tell from how dynamic this performance is that she’s trying to take her own message to heart. We hope you never apologize for who you are, Demi!
#3: “Skyscraper” “12th ALMA Awards” (2011)
Before “Skyscraper” debuted in 2011, Demi was another Disney kid with a dream. This is the song that showed the world she wasn’t just another Disney kid, but a truly talented vocalist to be reckoned with, and one with a story to tell. This performance is stunning for numerous reasons – after her little sister introduces her, Demi begins the song, which notably features lyrics about her personal struggles. She even sings a verse and a chorus in Spanish as a nod to her roots. This performance is a gorgeous one, and Demi’s ability to sound both strong and fragile at the same time is unmatched.
#2: “Stone Cold” “Billboard Women in Music 2015” (2015)
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Demi absolutely slays on pop anthems like “Sorry Not Sorry,” but we would be remiss not to mention how she kills heartfelt ballads too. “Stone Cold” came out in 2015, and quickly became a signature song for Demi. At the 2015 Billboard Women in Music event, she performed the ballad live and poured her soul into it. The song starts off quiet, and Demi lets it build organically until you’re belting it right along with her. Her expressions are amazing in this performance – you can tell she’s living in the moment and letting the emotion pour through her. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Father” Live on YouTube Originals “Sober” at the “Rock in Rio Lisboa VIII” (2018) “Cool For the Summer” (with Iggy Azalea) at the “32nd MTV Video Music Awards” (2015) “Heart Attack” on “Britain’s Got Talent” (2007-) “Hello” at the “58th Annual Grammy Awards” (2016)
#1: “Anyone” “62nd Annual Grammy Awards” (2020)
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Grab your tissues, folks. This one is a tear jerker. Demi has always been open about her personal struggles. In 2018, after six years of sobriety, she relapsed. In the years since the relapse, she’s garnered a lot of support and continued to be open with her fans. In 2020, she performed her new song “Anyone” at the Grammys – her first performance since her near-fatal relapse. Overcome by emotion, she begins crying pretty as much as soon as the first chord hits – but she powers through. It’s an extremely gutting performance. She sounds amazing, but we hope more than anything, she knows how much she means to so many people.
