Enjoying a Billie Eilish song [1] is an experience that lies between hearing a raw Amy Winehouse [2] ballad and watching demons getting exorcised in real-time. Eilish doesn't quite belong to alternative or electro-pop music — she's just doing her own thing, and it's exciting to see her rise to greatness. But even greater than her songs are Eilish's performances, which showcase creepy props [3], flashing lights, and truly amazing outfits [4]. Working with music that lends itself to theatrics, she's known for playing around with her set design, whether she's doing a soothing version of "I Love You [5]" in the air or nightmarishly whisper-singing "Bad Guy [6]" while climbing the ceiling. Her best performances will surely get you deep in your feelings, whether they're of melancholy or abject terror. Scroll ahead to see our favourite ones!
Billie Eilish Performs "Copycat" at the Mahogany Session in 2017
Sometimes all Billie Eilish [7] needs is her brother Finneas O'Connell on the guitar and backup vocals for a compelling performance. That's what's happening here in this stripped-down rendition of "Copycat," a song that showcases the gorgeous range of her voice. That said, her hoop earrings and black-spiked choker look fantastic.
Billie Eilish Performs "Ocean Eyes" at The Late Late Show in 2017
In one of her earliest late-night performances, Billie Eilish [8] conquers the stage with this emotional rendition of her breakout song. This focussed performance of "Ocean Eyes [9]" doesn't have all of the cool gimmicks of her sets for her debut album, but it has that signature quiet intensity that Eilish brings to each song.
Billie Eilish Performs "You Should See Me in a Crown" on Ellen in 2018
So, there's a LOT going on here, but everything comes together as an epic whole. Billie Eilish [10] is in her signature onesie look [11] while sitting on a throne in a box with a flashing spider behind her. And her creepy vocals totally match with the aesthetics of the set for a scary AF experience.
Billie Eilish Performs "Bellyache" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2018
"Bellyache" has a super catchy beat, so I'm not surprised that Billie Eilish [12] is having the time of her life dancing on the Tonight Show stage. The set is aglow with neon yellow lighting and accompanied with flashing white lights that make the performance extra energetic.
Billie Eilish Performs "my boy" at dscvr ARTISTS TO WATCH in 2018
You wouldn't guess this performance was live just because of how polished it looks and sounds. The moody grey backdrop, Billie Eilish [13] serving serious looks, and beautiful vocals blend together for this fantastic rendition of "my boy."
Billie Eilish Performs "Bury a Friend" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2019
A Billie Eilish [14] set is all about the vibe, and "Bury a Friend," written from the perspective of a monster [15], is creepy! Like American Horror Story [16] levels of freaky with jump scare sounds embedded in the actual song. In the middle of this particular performance, a sheet descends in front of the band and makes them look like shadowy figures.
Billie Eilish Performs "Idontwannabeyouanymore" at Radio 1 in 2019
Billie Eilish [17] has an angelic voice that is just a gosh darn vessel of emotion. There's no gimmicks or dancing around here (not that we don't love those things about her other performances) — just Eilish deep in her feelings singing about what it's like to be a young woman in the entertainment industry.
Billie Eilish Performs "You Don't Get Me High Anymore" at Radio 1 in 2019
OK, so Phantogram's "You Don't Get Me High Anymore" is an instant classic. And its intense sound and fun lyrics sound like they were custom-made for Billie Eilish [18], who brings a softened edginess in her acoustic cover. We have no choice but to stan.
Billie Eilish Performs "I Love You" at The Greek Theatre in 2019
Again, Billie Eilish [19] does a stripped-down acoustic performance here, and it's absolutely stunning. She and her brother sit on a bed that's held in the air by chains, appearing as though they're floating in the air. It's such a poignant performance that you can even see people bawling in the crowd. Her SNL performance of this song is pretty great as well, so you don't want to skip it either [20].
Khalid and Billie Eilish Perform "Lovely" at Coachella in 2019
Billie Eilish [21]'s pretty tone paired with Khalid's rich voice? Yes, please. The two definitely made a crowd-pleaser with this aurally "lovely [22]" performance at Coachella.
Billie Eilish Performs “All the Good Girls Go to Hell” on The Howard Stern Show in 2019
Billie Eilish [23] and her brother sound amazing in this stripped-down version of "All the Good Girls Go to Hell" on The Howard Stern Show. It's pure storytelling, and honestly, who does sing-songy character voices better than Eilish?
Billie Eilish Performs "Bad Guy" on SNL in 2019
If you Googled how Billie Eilish [24] climbed the ceiling in this performance [25], just know that you are not alone. (You can learn how here [26].) It's amazing how much she's bouncing around with a sprained ankle and bringing all of her energy to the set. "Bad Guy" is the pretty much the perfect song to kick off the season premiere of Saturday Night Live [27] and definitely ushers us into all the creepy-crawly vibes of Halloween [28].