Here we are, with our very first Band Weblogs Stance Awards, 2009.

One thing often overlooked when it comes to Rock ‘N’ Roll and unforgettable live performances, are the many great stances that we’ve seen on stage over the years.

With the Band Weblogs Stance Awards, there is a certain criteria to fill when it comes to picking the best stances on stage – along with a unique formula that we’ve used to determine our Top 5.

Since funds are limited this year, unfortunately, we were unable to give the winner an actual, physical award, but what they can walk away with, is knowing how high in our estimation they are.

After lengthy discussion and consideration, and having to narrow down quite a few great Glastonbury stances to the Top 5, the decisions were made.

Counting down from 5:

5. Karen O – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
With her, shall we say, interesting fashion sense and loyal fans, Karen O never lets us down when it comes to stage stances.

Website: Yeah Yeah Yeahs

4. Alex James – Blur
During his Glastonbury set, bassist Alex James from Blur played a stand-out performance, but it was his stance that took it to another level. He spent a lot of time standing with both feet on the monitor, looking cool, while continuing to play hit after hit.

Website: Blur

3. Tom Jones
What can we say? He’s Tom frickin’ Jones. It was great seeing the legendary singer at Glastonbury. His voice is so good, it tends to overshadow his stage stances, but he’s able to pull both off with ease.

Website: Tom Jones

2. Gareth McGrillen – Pendulum
The second bass player in the Top 5, Gareth McGrillen from the Australian now British-based band Pendulum was a contender from the start. The band probably played one of the best shows at Glastonbury Festival this year, and it was Gareth’s stance that was a surefire stand-out – and it almost got him to #1.

Website: Pendulum

1. Bruce Springsteen
Talk about unforgettable live performances. Bruce Springsteen blew us away. The band was top notch, playing the classic Bruce Springsteen songs we all know and love, like “The River” and “Born To Run” and the couple of songs that I hadn’t heard before, like “Outlaw Pete”, by the end, I was singing along like I’d been listening to them for years. The band played a 2 hour and 40 minute set, breaking the Glastonbury curfew, which just goes to show the passion and dedication that Bruce has for his craft – and his fans. However, it was Bruce’s legendary stage stances, sometimes reminiscent of Joe Strummer, that got him to #1 on this list, and during the long set, we were entertained with countless amounts of them. 5 stars.

Website: Bruce Springsteen

Envy & Other Sins won T4’s mobileAct unsigned in the live final on 23 December, 2007. The Birmingham-based band beat Lily Allen’s favourites, Revenue, to walk away with a record deal from A&M Records, headed by mobileAct judge Simon Gavin.

Envy & Other Sins were announced winners at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith after an online public vote deemed them the best unsigned band in Britain. Alongside Simon Gavin, the judging panel comprised Radio 1’s Jo Whiley and Blur’s Alex James.

Following their triumph, Envy & Other Sins will introduce the world to their unique brand of ‘furniture rock’ via self-penned single, “Highness”, due for release on 11th February 2008. The single was recorded at Olympic Studios, where the band is currently working on their debut album, which will be released on 3rd March, 2008.

Jarvey Moss, Envy & Other Sins pianist, came up with this natty little soundbite: “This is the dawning of the age of furniture rock – we never expected our big break to be on a reality show; we’ve always been about making music and now we’ve got the chance to do it on a bigger stage.”

For more information and to listen to Envy & Other Sins’ music, go to:

Envy & Other Sins Official Website
Envy & Other Sins on Myspace

Sounds like a good day out to me. Hopefully they’ll be adding more dates soon!

By: Jenny May