The One Man Music Show

The 1980s were rocked by artists from former bands exploding into the solo music scene (think Phil Collins, Stevie Nicks and Lionel Richie). Was it the materialism and economic boom of the era that prompted the isolation? Or merely a perfectionist and obsessive compulsive urge to control all facets of the music-making process?

We’ve witnessed a whole new type of musical OCD thanks to the electronic genres largely consuming the indie and lamestream industry of the 00s. Yet, while all is well in the home and recording setting, the bedroom musicians often find themselves in hot water, cum live performance (unless they can play drums, percussion, bass and sing simultaneously).

We’ve pulled a few of the many talented solo perfectionists of the modern era that embody the one-man-bands forced to branch out as full-fledged bands when the pressure of live performances and world tours got the better of them. Read on for our favorite one man shows.

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• Art by

  Atlas Sound, Bon Iver, M83, Miami Horror, Twin Shadow