Further to SCROTUMs comment in the Quietus thread about 2012 being more fragmented and subtle, it got me thinking.

I feel a bit like in the past 3 or so years, I've seen dozens of great live shows but few totally amazing ones. I've been awed by technology and lighting shows, but not necessarily the performances. I think personally a part of this is down to a lot of recent records being more insular and having less enigmatic performers, as the best shows have generally had a strong performance at the heart.

Most of my favourite acts have had a figure head you are drawn towards when I think about it; FOTL, Shellac, Pissed Jeans, LCD Soundsystem, Arab Strap, Sleater-Kinney, Underworld...

I can think of a few exceptions obviously and sometimes the music speaks for itself, but do you think modern bands have lost the ability to communicate with the crowd a bit and is having a central focus a good thing?

Also, who have been the best figureheads for bands you've seen over the years?