If a picture is worth a thousand words… then this article is well over my word count. As the new year kicks off, we look back at some of the best images from music in 2015. Marking some of the most memorable events from last twelve months; breakthroughs, comebacks and icons, in live and recorded music. Scroll down to see 2015 told through a selection of the most amazing and beautiful images from the year.
As we look back on the year that was 2015, it was one full of triumph and tragedies. These are the 17 best photographs of music moments from around the world.
Adele (credit Shayne Laverdière)
Shot behind the scenes during the making of her video for Hello, her first single for four years and the release that marked her record-breaking comeback last year.
Justin Bieber (credit Dean Chalkley)
Not only did pop brat Justin Bieber shake off the seriously bad PR that dogged his last few years, but 2015 saw a number of critics eat their words after he put out the impressive Deluxe.*
Kevin Parker / Tame Impala (credit Matt Sav)
Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker looks less than impressed at the acclaim and awards which greeted the band’s much anticipated 2015 album Currents.
Kanye West (credit Oli Scarff / Getty)
Headlining the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival last year (despite petitions against his booking and a stage invasion), Kanye West told the audience that he is “the greatest living rock star on the planet”.
Pete Doherty (credit Dylan Martinez)
Taking another shot at a reunion, and another album, Pete Doherty downs a beer during a live show.
Blur (credit Alex Elms)
See what they did there? Damon Albarn hands out ice cream to fans at shows whilst on tour for Blur’s 2015 album The Magic Whip.
FKA Twigs (credit Max Herman)
FKA Twigs puts on a breathtaking show, live on stage at 2015’s Lollapalooza.
Courtney Barnett (credit Erika Rich)
2015 was the year of Our Barnie, another Australian artist breaking music, not just at home, but on a global scale.
Snoop Dogg (credit Max Herman)
Back to doggy style, Snoop takes a puff live on stage as he launched a new album last year, and his own range of cannabis products; Leafs by Snoop.
Dev Hynes / Blood Orange (credit Stacey Mark)
Challenging interview censorship, racism and prejudice, Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes turned his voice to more than just music in 2015. Resuscitating the forgotten “protest song” with his track Sandra’s Smile.
Foo Fighters (credit Chris Sullivan)
Just one of many: another photo of Dave Grohl’s head banging. But this time with a broken leg and playing live from a guitar festooned throne, designed by Grohl himself during a painkiller high.
Lemmy Kilmister / Motörhead (credit Jim Ross)
The seemingly indestructible legend Lemmy, on stage with Motörhead at Glastonbury 2015, just months before his sad death last year.
Florence + The Machine (credit Marcus Yam)
Another comeback from 2015, Florence Welch returned with her third album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful.
D’Angelo (credit Greg Harris)
After one of the most strung out (pun intended) revivals, D’Angelo finally returned, with 2015 as the year that saw the full realisation of his comeback following the release of Black Messiah.
Eagles Of Death Metal (credit Manu Wino)
A familiar shot of a concert audience, though no one knew what was about to happen next. This photo captures the Eagles Of Death Metal’s show at Bataclan, Paris, just minutes before terrorists opened fire in the venue in one of the most shocking attacks in recent history.
David Bowie (credit Press)
The face that inspired a thousand musicians. In 2015 the legendary David Bowie announced his 26th, and, as it turned out, his final album ★ (Blackstar).
Mac DeMarco (credit Belinda Diplao)
Finishing off the year, Mac DeMarco crowd surfs at Falls Festival as 2015 came to a close.
