M.I.A.

Maya Arulpragasam may have had a cool DJ/boyfriend, advert-attractive singles, and the best backstory in '05, but without her euphoria-inducing early live performances, her star might not still be rising. Unpolished routines, spotty sound, unpretentious charisma, and boundless enthusiasm added up to an undeniably exciting and new brand of DIY dance-pop. -Jake Lancaster

Sufjan Stevens

When Sufjan Stevens and his Illinoisemakers duplicate Illinois' meticulous arrangements onstage, over-the-top spectacle meets disarming sincerity to breathtaking effect. Picture this: clad in matching cheerleader outfits, the nine-piece band bangs out joyous orchestral pop, only to stop suddenly, casting the spotlight on their soft-spoken leader who's earnestly picking and singing about his favorite Midwestern towns. -Todd Goldstein

Andrew Bird

Onstage, Andrew Bird plucks and bows his violin, sampling as he goes along, to single-handedly construct his songs' complex string arrangements. When all is ready, he taps out the recognizable guitar hooks, and heightens the spell of his beauteous pop melodies with stunning vocal divergences and virtuosic whistling. -Andrew Phillips

Super Furry Animals

Whether they're bringing out monster-suited pals, donning space helmets, or decking themselves out in glow-in-the-dark gear, Welsh wonders Super Furry Animals always go above and beyond for their adoring fans. Custom video displays, inspired aural effects, and genuine onstage enthusiasm all serve to further emphasize, rather than distract from, just how much fun their wide-ranging, genre-mashing music can be. -Doug Levy

Art Brut

No yetis. No cheerleaders. None needed. Eddie Argos and his snarl alone earn Art Brut a spot on this list. Our favorite swaggering rock satirists bang bang their rock 'n roll just the way we like it: fast, sweaty, and ironic. -Leah Taylor