The ultimate Christmas playlist for children
The French robot duo Daft Punk have been extremely successful at hiding their faces from the public view since the early 1990s. The French house pioneers, even after their official split in 2021, have fully dedicated themselves to their robot personas, even attending awards shows in full metallic garb.
Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, monster-metal band GWAR were trailblazers when it came to commitment to an on-stage persona. Not only did the entire band wear full prosthetics and costumes, they had a detailed backstory, claiming they were ancient aliens who were frozen in Antarctica and only recently rereleased out into the world.
A virtuosic guitarist whose skills at times are overshadowed by his persona, Buckethead's name is fairly self explanatory. The guitar legend is never seen without his trademark KFC chicken bucket and his blank, white mask.
One of the most iconic DJs and producers in the world of electronic music, Joel Zimmerman, aka Deadmau5, is famous for his electrifying house music shows, which he always performs while wearing one his many iconic mouse heads.
Producer SBTRKT, known for his frequent collaborations with singer Sampha, has explained that his masks are essential for separating himself from his music. He has expressed that he is a shy person, and he doesn't want his personality to have an effect on people's perception of his music.
Marshmello, possibly the most famous and successful EDM producer in recent history, is instantly recognizable by the tall, marshmallow-shaped helmet adorned with crossed-out eyes and a big, black smile.
Swedish avant-garde pop duo The Knife, made up of brother and sister Olof and Karin Dreijer, made almost zero public appearances, including concerts, for the first few years of their career. Once they did begin to play shows, they did so shadowed by hooded cloaks and masking themselves in makeup.
While Rage Against the Machine never made a habit out of masking themselves, they did make a very powerful statement at a reunion show at the Reading Festival in 2008, when the group came out in orange jumpsuits and black sacks over their heads, protesting the operation of the United States' offshore prison complex, Guantanamo Bay.
One of the biggest nu-metal bands of the 2000s and 2010s, the nine-member group Slipknot is known by die-hard fans and critical parents alike for their trademark masks and jumpsuits.
Enigmatic South African-Canadian country star Orville Peck burst on the scene in 2019 with his debut record 'Pony,' and has been very private about his true identity.
One of the most legendary and prolific members of the underground hip-hop scene, MF DOOM is considered by many to be one of the greatest lyricists of all time. Ever since his emergence as MF DOOM up until his tragic death in 2020, DOOM was rarely seen without his platinum mask, styled after the comic book supervillain Dr. Doom.
Swedish metal band Ghost have gained a huge international following in recent years, due in no small part to their intriguing stage presence and character mythos. Most notable is the front man, known as Papa Emeritus.
Controversial and polarizing, rap duo Insane Clown Posse are known for more than just their shocking lyrics and die-hard fan base. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope are also famous for rarely being seen without their trademark clown makeup.
One of pop music's most beloved and elusive stars, Australian-born singer Sia has always expressed her desire for anonymity so that she may live life as a normal person. As a result, she has employed her now-iconic wigs that cover her face in nearly every press appearance, concert, and interview since the early 2000s.
Each unique makeup design reflects the alter-egos of each member of the legendary American glam rock band Kiss, including Catman, Starchild, Space Ace, and the Demon.
The crime-fighting ska band known as the Aquabats are probably better known for their superhero personas and onstage theatrics than they are for their music. And, like any great crime-fighting crew, they make sure their true identities are never revealed.
Comedic hip-hop duo the Rubberbandits, hailing from Limerick, Ireland, hide their identities on stage using masks made of repurposed plastic shopping bags.
Frank Sidebottom was an English pop sensation who blurred the lines between fact and fiction. The creation of English comedian and musician Chris Sievey, Frank was known for his papier-mâché head that never seemed to bother him.
Italian electro artist Bob Rifo, who goes by the name The Bloody Beetroots, is known for his hectic, noisy live performances and the ever-present Spiderman-inspired masks that he and his onstage collaborators wear.
While the legendary, genre-bending band Gorillaz aren't exactly masked, they do alter their identity in a pretty inventive way. Each member of the band is represented, both on stage and in music videos, as cartoon characters with their own looks and personalities.
While it's true that Kanye West has become one of the most recognizable faces in the world, he's no stranger to wearing masks on stage and the statements that can be made by doing so.
The enigmatic and exciting electro-rock band Magic Sword consists of three members, known only as the Keeper, the Seer, and the Weaver. In order to keep alive a sense of mystery and anonymity, the trio wear full-face masks with a strip of light cutting through the middle.
Carlo Waibel, better known by his stage name Cro, is a German artist who mixes influences from hip hop and pop to craft his own unique sound. During performances, he's never seen without his trademark panda mask.
Monster rock band Lordi won the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in the name of Finland, and have been a national treasure ever since. The band's lead singer, Mr. Lordi, is responsible for the painstakingly crafted masks and prosthetics that the band wears on stage.
Dream-rock pioneers Animal Collective have, in recent years, set their masks aside, but when they first began playing shows they frequently wore animal masks on stage.
Sources: (Highsnobiety) (Paste Magazine) (FamousFix)
Avant-garde hard rock duo Lightning Bolt is led by drummer and vocalist Brian Chippendale. In order to make his two extremely strenuous jobs easier, Chippendale wears a special mask, seemingly made from rags and old t-shirts, that holds his microphone to his face so that his hands are kept free for drumming.
Karin Dreijer, one half of the Swedish electronic duo The Knife, has also made a name for herself under the solo moniker of Fever Ray. Dreijer has made extensive use of masks, some beautiful and some horrifying, throughout her career.
One of the most dynamic, groundbreaking, and enigmatic artists of the past decades, Björk spent the first half of her career as a pop sensation who couldn't get out of the spotlight, no matter how hard she tried. Now that she has all but retired from pop music and explores the more experimental sides of her persona, she is often seen with her face covered by any number of strange, organic-yet-alien looking masks and covers.
Music artists throughout history have employed various methods to push public intrigue and capture the attention of the masses. From bombastic live performances to outrageous publicity stunts, fans will eat up just about anything that helps them feel more familiar with their favorite performers' personalities. One strategy, however, does the opposite, but intrigues nonetheless: the use of masks.
Numerous artists around the world have worn masks, either as a rule that spans an entire career or to mark the beginning of an era. When an artist dons a mask, they hide their identity from their fans, and separate their personality from their music.
Intrigued? Read on to learn about the greatest masked musicians of all time.
The greatest masked musicians of all time
Artists who found fame behind the mask
MUSIC Music artists
Music artists throughout history have employed various methods to push public intrigue and capture the attention of the masses. From bombastic live performances to outrageous publicity stunts, fans will eat up just about anything that helps them feel more familiar with their favorite performers' personalities. One strategy, however, does the opposite, but intrigues nonetheless: the use of masks.
Numerous artists around the world have worn masks, either as a rule that spans an entire career or to mark the beginning of an era. When an artist dons a mask, they hide their identity from their fans, and separate their personality from their music.
Intrigued? Read on to learn about the greatest masked musicians of all time.