Count Five: Juliette Lewis' Top Live Acts

Posted on Sep 19th 2007 5:00PM by Steve Baltin
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Making the festival rounds, Juliette Lewis -- the lead singer of Juliette and the Licks, that is, as opposed to Juliette Lewis the Oscar-nominated actress -- has had the chance to watch some amazing performances up close and personal. For example, she was able to witness the Who from a vantage point on the side of the stage. Known for her own energetic live performances, which have garnered admirers from Dave Grohl and Chris Cornell to Muse, whom she will be opening up for on their current tour, Lewis used her viewing and performing experience to compile her top live performers list for Spinner.

1. The White Stripes: Jack White and Meg without question -- I was calling him this generation's Elvis, except probably a little bit more dangerous. His charisma and his guitar playing, then the dynamic between those two is just electric and it jumps off the stage. That is so fun to watch.

2. Queens of the Stone Age: We just got to watch them recently. Their new record, I was shocked. We all know they're good, inventive, amazing, but this new record to me was like on the level of [David] Bowie 's 'Low.' There's such a tension, it punctures the epidermis, the top layer, then it goes deeper, it starts to get into your blood, and you're buzzing. It's meditative, but really intense. And there's a song, 'Turning on the Screw,' that was really amazing to watch live.3. Iggy Pop: One of the things I love about him and that I relate to is that his physical self is equal to his lyricism, his musicianship, his vocals. Nobody these days really uses their physicality as a main part of their art and their performance. And I just think it's really exciting to see, whether it's 1975 or 2007. It's timeless; that essence of what he's about, that strength and defiance is a timeless force.

4. Joan as Police Woman: That's the name of her thing. She's out of New York , piano and vocals. She reminds me of a cross between Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones. She's singer/songwriter, but there's such a depth and sophistication. She worked with Antony and the Johnsons and her live takes you into another atmosphere that I really loved.

5. The Rolling Stones: It may be trite to say, but I don't care. I saw the Stones in '97 or '98 at Dodger Stadium and this was like a religious experience for me. As a live show I'd never seen so much energy. That guy, Mr. Jagger, doesn't stop moving for two hours and it's a very big stage. It's something we can all take a cue from. And to hear 'Brown Sugar,' 'Gimme' Shelter,' that's just not going to get old.