Every SNL Season 51 musical guest ranked by who stole the show

With season 51 of Saturday Night Live finished, it’s time to do what the internet loves: rank all the musical guests who performed.

I’m going into this knowing my own opinions will definitely play a role. Saturday Night Live features a lot of different musical guests, and everyone has their favorites. I’ll try my best to be objective and rank this year’s artists based on how well they met fans’ expectations, but I can’t promise I’ll completely separate my personal taste from the rankings. There will be some areas where my own preferences will inevitably influence my choices.

You of course are free to push back, or, better yet, publish your own rankings.

Saturday Night Live’s musical guests from worst to best in Season 51

Did I just say that SNL books a wide range of musical acts? See, that’s someplace you could immediately push back. They really did not do that in Season 51. They tended to play it very, very safe. About half of the 20 acts this season were either established pop stars, or young ascendant pop stars. The key word here is “pop.”

There wasn’t any actual country music, even though one performer tried to pass themselves off as a country artist. We’re calling it the ‘Morgan Wallen hangover’ – a reference to the trend of artists trying to capitalize on that sound.

True rap music was scarce. The hip-hop artists who performed were increasingly blending other genres into their sound, meaning they often felt like supporting acts rather than the main attraction.

The show featured the world’s biggest reggaeton artist this year, surprisingly not as the musical performer.

Although the performers are generally popular artists, the average age of this year’s guests was surprisingly 38.5 – similar to the ages of A$AP Rocky and Marcus Mumford. This average is skewed higher by two artists who first became famous in the 1960s. In fact, seven of this year’s performers were in their 20s, and another seven were in their 30s.

Not that any of that really matters.

For some time now, Saturday Night Live has been facing familiar challenges as it tries to reinvent itself. While the celebration of its 50th season created a buzz, it’s become clear the show needs new energy. Bowen Yang’s departure during the season highlighted this, and the writing staff seems to depend too much on veteran performers like Mikey Day and Kenan Thompson. Ashley Padilla might be losing popularity before she’s even had a chance to become a central part of the cast.

(Side Note: Make Ashley Padilla a core cast member.)

Even with Thompson hosting, the show lacked diversity this season. While the musical guests offered some variety, the music itself tended to be very similar.

This doesn’t mean the year was poor, though. In fact, it was quite solid overall – even the less impressive results offered something worthwhile. There were also some truly outstanding moments. Let’s take a look at how each performer did this season.

20. Dijon (Episode 7)

Here’s a slight reservation about the criticism Dijon has received: his show, with a skilled jazz band that included Bon Iver, might have been more impactful experienced live in person.

The performance felt flat on television and lacked excitement. Then, he made a major mistake for a Saturday Night Live appearance by reusing the same stage setup and visual style for a weaker follow-up song.

19. Role Model (E2)

Role Model was one of three young pop artists who performed as opening acts. You’ll have to wait to see the other two on this list. He used to make music that blended rap and soul, like his songs “Puerto Rican” and “Not a Fan.”

I always thought of him as kind of a dreamy, atmospheric artist, but when he was on SNL, it was like he’d completely switched gears to country! Seriously, the set looked like a barn, complete with hay bales everywhere. It was a total surprise!

The songs were pleasant and familiar, but what really made him come up from the basement was the unexpected appearance of Charli XCX as Sally on his first track. Her entrance instantly boosted the energy of the room.

18. Sombr (E5)

I have a feeling some readers might disagree with this, but I just don’t understand the appeal of Sombr. He’s undeniably cute and looked great in his red suit on “12 to 12.” However, his high-pitched voice and silly dancing aren’t for me. His first performance lacked energy, and while “Back to Friends” was a little better, the ladder climb at the end was just strange.

17. Paul McCartney (E20)

I’m really trying to be fair in my assessment, but it’s difficult. Based purely on singing, Paul McCartney, despite his prominent appearance on the finale, was actually the weakest vocalist of the season – and by a significant amount. His performance on his new song, “Days We Left Behind,” was noticeably rough, and even his rendition of the classic “Band on the Run” wasn’t much better.

It seems Paul McCartney didn’t rely on vocal effects, which I really appreciate. He had excellent musicians backing him, as you’d expect. The video projections at the beginning of the show were stunning. He also appeared in a few comedy sketches and ended the show with another one, which adds to the overall experience.

16. Anitta (E17)

Anitta kicked off her new song, “Choka Choka,” with an energetic performance featuring impressive dancers. The song started strong, though it became a little repetitive after a while. She then completely switched gears, delivering a gentle and mellow ballad.

15. A$AP Rocky (E10)

Rocky’s “Punk Rocky” performance was definitely the most unusual of the season, and he deserves credit for being so different. While the song itself wasn’t a standout, the energetic, chaotic performance – with its street jam vibe and megaphone – was entertaining. The cartoonish fight at the end, and Rocky’s funny escape, made the whole thing memorably strange and fun.

Honestly, I would have loved it if he’d just done “Helicopter” as his second song. It would have been a cool way to acknowledge how little rapping there was in season 51. Starting with “Don’t Be Dumb” just didn’t really work for me, to be honest.

14. Cher (E9)

Similar to how we approach Paul McCartney, simply being a music icon won’t earn extra points here. However, we appreciated the fun send-off she shared with host Ariana Grande at the show’s end. While her vocals on “DJ Play a Christmas Song” sounded somewhat artificial, she really shone on the more energetic performance of “Run Rudolph Run.”

13. Harry Styles (E15)

Everything I said about Sombr also holds true here, but Styles is a much more refined performer. While I don’t think “Dance No More” is particularly remarkable, the crowd went crazy for even the simplest moves. “Coming Up Roses” was a lovely, romantic song, featuring delicate guitar picking and an intro reminiscent of Paul Simon.

12. Cardi B (E12)

“Bodega Baddie” was enjoyable but lacked depth. I found “Errtime” much more impactful – it was a powerful track with a striking black-and-white aesthetic and a high-energy techno vibe.

11. Geese (E11)

I’ve said this before with a few other bands, but I don’t really get the hype around Geese. I figure it’s just a me problem – everyone else I know who’s ‘in the know’ seems to love them and thinks they’re fantastic.

I was really excited to see them on the show – they were the only performers this season who truly pushed boundaries and weren’t afraid to be controversial. I just think the song order could have been better. “Au Pays du Cocaine” didn’t really stand out, but “Trinidad” gave a good sense of why people are talking about them.

10. Brandi Carlile (E4)

Carlile took the stage after three pop performers, delivering politically-driven rock music. While “Church and State” is a solid song, it didn’t quite stand out as exceptional. “Human,” however, is a powerfully moving ballad, showcasing Carlile’s skill and experience.

8/9. Olivia Dean/Lily Allen (E6/8)

I might upset some fans, but I honestly find it hard to tell these two performers apart. They both put on solid shows, but neither was truly unforgettable. Lily Allen’s performance of “Madeline,” featuring Dakota Johnson, felt more like an artistic statement. Meanwhile, Doja Cat’s “Man I Need” is a really strong blend of neo-soul and pop.

7. Gorillaz (E14)

Gorillaz really impressed me. At 58, Damon Albarn was one of the older performers this year – only McCartney and Cher were older – and he seemed a little tired during “Clint Eastwood.” But it didn’t really detract from the performance. Having Del the Funky Homosapien rap his part was a key element, and similarly, Black Thought significantly improved “The Moon Cave.”

6. Olivia Rodrigo (E18)

I’m really impressed with Rodrigo this season – she’s been my favorite performer. It’s unfortunate that the show she hosted and performed on wasn’t the strongest of the year, but that wasn’t her fault; the sketches just didn’t quite land. She deserves a lot of credit for her hilarious take on “Driver’s License” during her opening monologue, the energetic “My Room” performance, and her work in the “Busted” sketch.

She does a lot of vocal accompaniment beyond her two featured songs. “Drop Dead” is a perfect example of energetic power pop, while “Begged” feels a little underdeveloped and could benefit from more complexity. Also, Debbie Harry actually introduced her first song, though the crowd didn’t seem to recognize her.

5. Mumford & Sons (E13)

Marcus Mumford delivers two polished and well-crafted songs, showcasing strong performances. The tracks are enhanced by memorable appearances from Hozier on “Rubber Band Man” and Sierra Ferrell on “Here,” with both artists getting full verses to shine.

4. Jack White (E16)

While the collaboration between Jack Black and Jack White wasn’t quite the explosive event some expected, it was still enjoyable. White played a version of “Seven Nation Army” during the opening monologue, with Jack Black singing humorous new lyrics, and then debuted a couple of original rock songs during his musical performance.

3. Noah Kahan (E19)

Like a lot of people, I listened to “Stick Season” quite a bit in 2022. But honestly, I wouldn’t call myself a huge Noah Kahan fan.

It’s hard to argue that he consistently gives his fans exactly what they’re hoping for. His new album features songs like “Great Divide” and “Doors,” which are powerful, folk-rock anthems similar in style to his hit “Stick Season.” These songs start with softer, acoustic sections that gradually build into huge, memorable choruses, and he backs them up with strong guitar work.

2. Doja Cat (E1)

Doja Cat kicked off the season performing on Bad Bunny’s show, which must have been incredibly nerve-wracking. Luckily, she delivered a fantastic performance! “Aaahh Men” was a powerful start, and “Gorgeous” was a beautiful follow-up. My only wish was that she’d moved around a bit more – she spent the whole time sitting on that elaborate rose throne, and a little more energy would have been great.

1. Sabrina Carpenter (E3)

Sometimes, a perfect match just happens. Whether you like her or not, it’s clear Sabrina Carpenter and the current version of Saturday Night Live are a great fit together.

She’s the complete modern pop star: her songs are incredibly catchy, and she has just the right amount of rebellious flair to stay relevant and interesting. Her new song, “Manchild,” is great on its own, but it really took off when she paired a t-shirt with underwear that said “It’s Saturday Night!” – it instantly became a conversation starter and a pop culture moment.

Even though her use of strong language on “Nobody’s Son” seemed deliberate – she’d avoided it on “Manchild” – it still created a lot of excitement. Plus, she both performed and hosted the show, a feat only three artists achieved that season (along with Styles and Rodrigo).

Once, Paul Westerberg and his band, the Replacements, were banned for life after swearing onstage – and they were famously intoxicated and caused a mess in their dressing room. It really shows how much things have changed. Nowadays, I think someone like Lorne Michaels, or whoever is in charge, would happily have Janelle Monáe on the show every week if she wanted to be a regular.

We’re hoping the next season brings in some fresh faces, features fewer celebrities, and gives Ashley Padilla a full-time role.

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2026-05-19 15:05