This guide lists every type of performance badge that you are likely to come across on the website, and what the peformance type badges mean. Repeated performances are indicated by repeat performance
When an artist couldn’t appear in the studio between 1976 to 1981, Legs & Co. would perform a dance routine to the artist’s track.
When an artist couldn’t appear in the studio between 1968 to 1976, Pan’s People would perform a dance routine to the artist’s track.
When an artist couldn’t appear in the studio during 1976, Ruby Flipper would perform a dance routine to the artist’s track.
When an artist couldn’t appear in the studio between 1964 to 1968, The Go-Jos would perform a dance routine to the artist’s track.
When an artist couldn’t appear in the studio between 1981 to 1983, Zoo would perform a dance routine to the artist’s track.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at T in the Park.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at the BBC Children In Need show. Typically these repeated performances were featured from 2007 onwards when the weekly TOTP editions stopped, but the Christmas specials continued.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed in the Radio 1 Live Lounge.
A live or mimed performance of an artist’s track performed during the TOTP roadshow. During this time TOTP was filmed at numerous music venue locations around the UK.
Sometimes artists couldn’t appear in the Top of the Pops studio and often would performance on location via Satellite for the programme. Performances were usually live, but sometimes they were mimed.
When an artist couldn't appear in the Top of the Pops studio they would often send in their music video to be played on the show.
An artist’s track would be played in the background, while a montage of stills or video clips played on screen. This typically happened in the mid-1990s during the end credits.
A short music video or live performance clip was shown. This was typically used during special edition of the show, or for an album or promotion video.
A short music video or live performance clip was shown. This was typically used during special edition of the show, or for an album or promotion video.
A short music video or live performance clip was shown. This was typically used during special edition of the show, or for an album or promotion video.
A short music video or live performance clip was shown. This was typically used during special edition of the show, or for an album or promotion video.
A short music video or live performance clip was shown. This was typically used during special edition of the show, whilst the presenter discussed the end of year charts and big music news of the year.
A live or mimed performance of an artist’s track performed during the TOTP episode filmed for BBC Music Live 2000.
A live or mimed performance of an artist’s track performed during the TOTP episode filmed for BBC Music Live 1999.
An artist would perform in the Top of the Pops studio live in front of an audience, but for the New Zealand local version of the show. This performance type only featured once during the show’s history.
An artist would appear in the Top of the Pops studio in America, perform their track, but they would mime to the track usually. Occasionally the performances would be live. A version of the show was broadcast in America in the late-1980s.
An artist’s track would be played in the background, while a montage of stills played out on screen.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at the BBC Electric Proms. Typically these repeated performances were featured from 2007 onwards when the weekly TOTP editions stopped, but the Christmas specials continued.
An artist would appear in the Top of the Pops studio, perform their track, but they would mime to the track. They would not pre-record live vocals or a new instrument arrangement. Even though artists would appear in the studio with instruments, they would pretend to play them "live".
An artist would perform live in front of an audience at the Top of the Pops studio. They would usually have a backing track or a supporting band, along with live vocals. Sometimes, the artist would pre-record their vocals and the musical backing track with the Top of the Pops Orchestra before filming (between 1971 and 1980). During filming, the live recording of the track would be played, and the artist would mime to it.
This performance was only shown on the late night edition of the original episode. Late night edition performances tended to be shown on the Saturday or Friday night repeat and it aired after 11pm.
An artist’s track would be played in the background, while the Top 40 or Top 30 chart rundown would be shown on screen. This happened fairly frequently from 1975 to 1981 at the start of the show.
An artist’s track would be played in the background, while a montage of TOTP stills or video clips would play out on screen. This typically happened during special episodes like the 900th and 1000th editions.
A short 30-second-ish clip of an artist’s music video was played during the Top 40 breakers segment of the show. This segment ran from 1985 to 1994 most weeks on the show.
When an artist couldn’t appear in the studio an uncredited dance troupe would perform a dance routine to the artist’s track.
An artist’s track is played and the audience dance along to it. Typically this occurred at the start of Top of the Pops in the early days up until the mid-1970s, or at the end of the show from the late-1970s to mid-1980s where the end credits would also be shown.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at a BBC Music event. Typically these repeated performances were featured from 2007 onwards when the weekly TOTP editions stopped, but the Christmas specials continued.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at a concert.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at a BBC Music event. e.g. Radio 1 live lounge. Typically these repeated performances were featured from 2007 onwards when the weekly TOTP editions stopped, but the Christmas specials continued.
An artist would perform in a different studio than the main Top of the Pops studio, typically this would be filmed without the TOTP audience.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at the Radio 1 Big Weekend.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at Reading Festival. Typically these repeated performances were featured from 2007 onwards when the weekly TOTP editions stopped, but the Christmas specials continued.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at the Top of the Pops Wembley weekend event.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at Glastonbury. Typically these repeated performances were featured from 2007 onwards when the weekly TOTP editions stopped, but the Christmas specials continued.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed at the Top of the Pops awards show.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed on the Graham Norton Show.
A repeated live performance of an artist’s track performed on the Later… With Jools Holland Show.