Miley Cyrus's 7 most iconic stage performances

Miley Cyrus has made her own spot in music, most of all when she sings on stage. Since she became known in 2006, she's always been changing, her music style, look, and how she acts on stage. Her 2019 MTV VMAs show of Slide Away really showed how much she has grown as a singer. It proved that she is more than just the pop star from her early days.

With only a soft light on her and sadness in her voice, she made the show small to let the pain speak. But this was not just a one-time look at her soft side; it's something Miley Cyrus does on nearly every stage. Over time, she has moved among bright pop, tough rock, country tones, and deep ballads. She does each one so truly, it always seems right, never forced.

What makes her stand out is not only her singing skill, her range, rough voice, and deep feel are strong, but the bold spirit she gives to each show. She doesn't just sing; she gives a show to feel. Be it yelling out a raw Janis Joplin song, dancing with no shoes under wild lights, or just standing still, with quiet talking between the notes, Miley Cyrus takes over the stage with a sureness few can match.

Her shows are wild, full of feel, and often messy, but they grab your eye every time. Each act is a new page in her story of changing up her style. Fans keep coming because they know that when Miley Cyrus hits the stage, she does more than just sing; she changes into something new.

Miley Cyrus's live shows have changed as she has, becoming a place where she shows new parts of herself. At the start, her gigs had the fun and energy of a young pop star. But as time went by, they grew more full of heart, boldness, and power, showing how much she has changed as a person and an artist.

Miley Cyrus does more than just sing for fun; she changes minds. With her big voice, wild song picks, or bold looks, she leaves a mark. Her 2013 VMAs show may have shocked a lot, but it showed she's not scared to stand out and be true to herself.

Over the years, Miley Cyrus has moved from shock value to real depth, using her voice, feelings, and plain setups that talk louder than any flashy act. Whether she has a full band with her or stands alone under one light, her live shows now feel like true moments. These moments show her true feelings, her music, and where she stands in life at that point.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. The reader's discretion is advised!

Here are the top 7 best stage performances of Miley Cyrus

Over time, Miley Cyrus has given us many live shows to remember. Her strong voice, deep feelings, bold ideas, and full control of the stage stand out. From simple guitar sets to big, showy acts, her way on stage grows with every part of her work life.

Miley Cyrus's acts hit home because they seem true, like she's not just doing a song, but really feels each word with her fans. No matter if it’s a soft song or a wild tune, she gives it her all with a loud voice, real steps, and feels that stay in your mind. Here are seven times she showed off her skills, each one giving a look into who she is when she's up there!

1) Miley Cyrus at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards

At a point that felt deeply personal and open in her work life, Miley Cyrus stood on the MTV VMAs stage and performed Slide Away with a heavy heart. She had just put out this song after her long and tough split from Liam Hemsworth. Not like her normal lively acts or bold shows, this time, she stripped the performance down to its emotional core.

With low lights, one bright spot, and black-and-white film, the air was dark, almost like a movie. Miley Cyrus stood there, her voice full of the deep feelings of a fresh breakup that was still felt in her words as she sang. Her singing was real and a bit rough, making it more true than what you hear in made-up studio songs.

2019 MTV Video Music Awards - Roaming Show - Source: Getty

The song's words about moving on from a life that doesn't work anymore and knowing that some stuff just ends hit harder with Miley's strong look on stage. This was more than just a show on TV; it was a soft act of sharing sorrow in public, shown not with loud drama but with a quiet hold-back. By being open over a big show, Miley Cyrus showed us all that even in a world full of show and looks, true feelings can still shine through.

And sometimes, a soft-spoken sadness can ring out louder than any loud cry. It was a big moment not only in her own life, but in her growth as an artist, someone who can turn hurt into grace right there for us to see.

2) Miley Cyrus at her 2012 Backyard Sessions

Back in 2012, Miley Cyrus sang Dolly Parton's Jolene in a strong and full-of-feeling way as part of her Backyard Sessions, a set that mixed simple live shows with a real feel not often seen in big-name pop at that time. With a chill, outside setup and help from a live band, Cyrus took on her godmother's known country song with respect but also made it her own.

Her rough voice and deep style gave a new hint of need to the begging words, showing people that her heart still held country music. When she was working to drop her Disney Channel look, this show was a soft yet strong show of her real self as an artist. The Backyard Sessions came at the same time as she started her Happy Hippie Foundation, marking her move to realness in both her music and her life.

Songs like Jolene and Lilac Wine, which she took on too, turned into big change points, not just for the fans, but for Cyrus herself. They marked a move back to her roots and a brave new way to show herself in the music world. These shows did more than just show off her voice; they gave a peek at the mix of styles and the deep, open way her musical path would go in the future.

3) Miley Cyrus Performs at the Teen Choice Awards in 2009

Miley Cyrus's performance of Party in the USA at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards was more than just a tune; it was a huge event that showed a shift in her look. At only 16, she took to the stage with full charm and trust, belting out her fun song with the force only a fresh pop star could show.

But what really shook the crowd, and soon the web, was her dance act with a big ice cream cart that had a dance pole. This sight drew quick media looks, with many asking if it was okay for a teen star, while some said it was just a young artist breaking limits and taking over her stage.

Teen Choice Awards 2009 - Roaming Show - Source: Getty

Even with all the talk, that show let us see a fresh side of Miley Cyrus. She started to take charge of her work and step far from her Disney days. The show was both a fun bash and a grand pop event, and it stayed with folks not just cause it made waves, but cause it showed Miley's talent in being both a star and a shaker.

While some folks made a fuss over the prop, her fans saw a brave soul who dared to be bold and bring her own spark to each bit, even in the big glow of big-time award shows.

4) Miley Cyrus Performs at the Glastonbury Festival 2019

When Miley Cyrus hit the Glastonbury stage in 2019, it was not just another show. It was a big moment that changed how people saw her music. For many stars, Glastonbury is a key step, a test of their skill in front of a big and sharp crowd. But Miley Cyrus was not there to just show off; she was there to change. With a bold, leather look and a tough style, she took on a raw, rock-like sound that made even her old fans look twice.

She wasn't the polished pop star of old radio songs, nor the bold artist from her "Bangerz" days. This time, she came out strong, with a guitar in hand, set to take on the rock world. As she sang her big hits like Wrecking Ball, she really shone when she covered rock songs.

The 2019 Glastonbury Festival - Source: Getty

She did Metallica's Nothing Else Matters and Led Zeppelin's Black Dog. These covers were more than nods to the past; they showed her wide skill and deep love for rock. NME called the show a new start, but in a lot of ways, it was like a return home for Miley Cyrus. She had shown bits of this style, even back when she was Hannah Montana. Yet, no one was ready for how real and strong she was on that stage.

The people there loved it a lot, cheering loudly for this new, bold Miley Cyrus. It wasn't just a show; it was a sign that Miley Cyrus was in a new part of her life, not just going with what others did, but making her own way.

5) Miley Cyrus Performs with Elton John at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018

At the 2018 Grammy Awards, Miley Cyrus teamed up with Elton John to sing his old hit Tiny Dancer. Many thought it was one of the top parts of the night. It was not just great because a rock star and a pop singer were together on stage; it was big because Miley Cyrus linked so well with the deep feelings of the song, showing how much soul she puts into her shows.

60th Annual GRAMMY Awards - Roaming Show - Source: Getty

She did not try to force the moment or copy the first; she sang with a calm, grown up feel and great care, letting the words live and Elton's piano set the mood. In a long red dress, Miley showed a new type of grace, far from her past wild shows, showing a polished skill that had been growing for a while.

It was a wake-up call to doubters that behind her pop look is a truly wide-range singer, one who can respect an old song while adding her true self to it. In that short time, as she sang with one of music's top stars, Miley Cyrus did more than show her voice's reach. She told the industry and people all over that her skill goes past trends, and that her craft keeps growing in new and touching ways.

6) Miley Cyrus performs at the 2010 American Music Awards

At the 2010 American Music Awards, Miley Cyrus left her high-energy self to show a more open, deep side of her art. She chose to sing one of the soft, not-so-well-known songs from her list of songs. She let people see that under all the big news and change of looks, there has always been a true love for music in her.

2010 American Music Awards - Inside - Source: Getty

With a simple stage and few things to draw the eye, all eyes were on her voice, a deep, warm tool that brought each word to life in a rich way. There was no call for showy acts or too much going on; Miley just let the true feel of the song shine, making it the main thing to notice.

Her song sounded close and real, like a secret told with music, and it hit hard with folks who might not have noticed this song before. Her act made people see her again as a great singer and one who tells tales, able to give not just a show, but also her heart.

7) Miley Cyrus performs at the 2020 iHeartRadio Music Festival

In a year full of doubt, Miley Cyrus gave a show that stood out, her wild go at Blondie's Heart of Glass at the 2020 iHeartRadio Music Fest. Even with no live crowd and the limits of an online stage, Miley Cyrus led with a rough, rock style that made the old song feel new and hard.

The show blew up online, getting the love from both long-time fans and new ones needing some joy in a hard year. Even Blondie's own Debbie Harry liked it, backing Miley Cyrus for adding her touch and new spark to the song.

In a year when most stuff seemed stopped or quieted down, this event made folks recall that music could still be lively, bold, and freeing. Miley did not just sing a song; she put such a vibe into it that it felt like it was hers. For a lot of us, it was a needed boost of zip in a dim time.

Miley Cyrus shows us time and time she does best on stage. When she sings with deep rock vibes, makes her old songs new with pure feeling, or puts on a show with grand looks, her acts are more than just songs; they show us who she is right then.

She carries a bold vibe, raw feel, and a true link with her fans that makes each show feel like it's just for you, but always full of surprises. No matter the type or time, Miley turns the stage into her art spot, making it a place where wild meets soft. It’s this strong blend of mess and skill that keeps her as one of the most lively stage stars of her time.