Summer is almost over – before it even began – and the wellies are being wiped down for the final time, as festival season draws to a close.
So let’s take a moment to remember some of the music released in 2017 that has been showcased across the al-fresco stages in the British rain and shine this summer.
You Me At Six guitarist, Max Helyer, pulled together his top picks from the past eight months.
The Killers – The Man
Max said:
As a band we are big fans of The Killers and this is exactly what you call a massive come back single.
It has all the groovy moments you want to dance to and the catchy vocals you want to sing along to.
Calvin Harris – Feels
Max said:
As far as a pop song goes in 2017, this is going to be one of the stand out tracks.
A feel good summer tune that will get everyone dancing in a bar or a club; definitely a song I think anyone could listen to.
Harry Styles – Carolina
Max said:
Love him or hate him, Harry Styles has come out with a record that would catch people off guard.
Not what people thought he was going to come out with but what he’s done is given some hope for guitar bands at a time when most music is dominated by electronic music.
Queens Of The Stone Age – The Evil Has Landed
Max said:
What more could you want from a band that’s been doing great records for a long time?
Just get Mark Ronson to produce your next record – it has the right amount of rock’n’roll that smashes you in the face but then the groove kicks in and you wanna shake your hips.
Loyle Carner – Ain’t Nothing Changed
Max said:
It’s very rare to come by any English hip hop artist who does it well. Loyle Carner’s record Yesterday’s Gone had me buzzing off the first listen.
I chose this song because of the saxophone – not the usual choice of instrument, but it’s so catchy you’ll be doing impressions of it down the street.
Portugal The Man – Feel It Still
Max said:
I came across Portugal The Man on Apple Music and decided to give it a go. This song is the standout track on the album Woodstock.
It feels like it could be used for sync. A very simple song but executed well – it will have you singing for days.
Sampha – Blood On Me
Max said:
Sampha has been an artist I’ve had my eye on for a while now, since his collaboration with Drake on the song Too Much back in 2013.
You knew the minute you heard his voice he was going to be an exciting artist. His record Process came out this year and it’s a great debut from him.
Stormzy – Big For Your Boots
Max said:
UK music this year has been massive all across the world and this guy has been leading the race.
Big For Your Boots really set it off and still has everyone dancing and singing along right now. Everyone knows this song, and that for an artist, is the key to being successful and being known.
The xx – On Hold
Max said:
Who doesn’t love a bit of The xx? Perfect for an evening relaxing and chilling out with mates.
This song was the first song you heard from their new record and still a track I go back to regularly when I’m on plane journeys.
The dynamics in this band are exciting and the use of electronics throughout the track make it.
Khalid – Location
Max said:
A new artist from America this year who’s been growing his reputation in the USA, someone that isn’t that well known here in the UK yet but I feel like will catch on soon.
If you are fans of R’n’B music then this is the guy for you.
The War On Drugs – Thinking of a Place
Max said:
If you like long dreamy songs, this is one for you. This is an artist that I’ve been into for a while and have been very excited for his return.
This track really took me away to a different place; I remember being round my friends house in LA and he played it to me, we didn’t say a word for the whole song which is 12 minutes long – I think that’s a a sign of how much I enjoyed it.
If that’s not enough to get your musical taste buds tingling, You Me At Six will be playing Sundown Festival at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich, on September 1-3.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.