The power of a live music experience is no longer confined to a room.  Snapchat / instragram stories, periscope, Facebook live, location concert filters – have transformed gigs to a collective experience. 

From the small bar venue sets, to the festivals, to Spotify’s Who We Be – to 1xtra Live – we have all this year experienced these live moments one way or another. 

Below are a personal top 5 that we believed defined and shaped the 2017 soundscape. 

Top 5 music moments of 2017

Wiley @ The Roundhouse 

Wiley returned to the stage in February at The Roundhouse. A notorious canceller – Wiley made a heartfelt apology for all the times he hadn’t made a show saying “he was going through life.” Bringing along Skepta and Stormzy to name a few – and performing tracks from the archives, he cemented his identity as a pioneer of Grime. This punctuated a big year for Wiley – who subsequently released “Eskiboy” and received his well deserved MBE. 

Stormzy @ Glastonbury 

If there was a gig to demonstrate the extent of #merky hysteria in 2017 – it was Stormzy at Glastonbury. A Corbyn-level crowd spanning generations, the performance was emotionally charged with both tears and moshpits. Stormzy delivered a powerful tribute to the victims of the Grenfell, demanding justice and answers. With a politically tumultuous year – music and gigs continue to be an important outlet – and Stormzy used his platform nobly. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_R_aufNZfY

Kano @ Glastonbury 

With the fallow year it doesn’t seem excessive to include two Glastonbury sets in this list. With his band – Kano owned (and closed) the Park stage on the Sunday. As the sun set, ‘T-shirt Weather in the Manor’ perfectly summarised the essence of not only his whole set but Glastonbury as a whole.

Giggs + Drake @ Reading 

Even hearing a radio transmission of this moment captures the pure excitement. With Lion King stampedes that followed the Drizzy announcement – Reading, a traditionally ‘rock’ festival had its identity changed forever. As a moment it told the world that  U.K urban music is an international force. 

JayKae @ Islington Academy 

In the midst of Christmas party season- The Birmingham rapper performed to crowded and hyped room (including The Streets Mike Skinner). Bringing on an array of talent including Mist, Wretch 32 and Stormzy – it was a showcase of 2017 urban talent and told us that its future is certainly not confined to London artists.