The Best & Worst Music Moments Of 2015
2015 had some pretty solid music moments. With stars like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and One Direction on top, there was never a dull moment. However, like with anything in the media, there were not-so-cool moments as well that caused some major backlash across the world. From some uncalled for comments about women and music to a boybander leaving his crew, sh!t happens. We’ve put together the best and worst music moments of 2015 in hopes of shining a light on the positive while calling out the not-so-nice with a pseudo-optimistic spin.
BEST
Dave Grohl and the Rock N’ Roll Throne
After falling off the stage at a Foo Fighters concert in Sweden this summer, frontman and rock n’ roll god, Dave Grohl, designed a rather majestic throne to continue touring with a broken foot. Video footage quickly surfaced of Grohl’s guitar solos while on the Rock N’ Roll Throne to massive critical acclaim. You gotta love this guy!
The Year of Halsey
2015 was Halsey’s breakout year, despite garnering a steady (and loyal) following with her 2014 debut EP, Room 93. The 21 year-old singer released her debut concept album, Badlands, this summer and fans went out in droves to support it, making it one of the most successful debuts of the year. In August 2016 – one year after Badlands’ release – Halsey will take the stage at a sold out stint at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City. Sharing her past experiences of love, sex, fame, lovers who love drugs and her bi-polar diagnoses, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen a Halsey lyric somewhere on social media. The girl has started a movement and we cannot wait to see where 2016 takes her!
Garbage Celebrates Their 20th Anniversary
Obviously I am biased since they are my favorite band, but I just had to add Garbage’s 20th anniversary to the list. This past fall, the band went out on a six-week tour in support of their 1995 self-titled debut album. 20 Years Queer saw the band play their entire debut including the album’s b-sides along with a surprise thrown in there for good measure. Putting on the best show they’ve ever curated, I walked out of The Space at Westbury this past October practically in tears – happy tears, for sure! When music can invoke something like that, you know it’s definitely worthwhile. We congratulate Garbage on their success and hope for many more!
Justin Bieber Sheds a Tear (or Two) at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards
When we got word that Justin Bieber was to perform at this year’s VMAs, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Once the singer took the stage to perform “What Do You Mean” from his new album, Purpose, tears started flowing from the 21 year-old singer, making the audience at the show and at home go, “Huh?” Rumors flew that the Biebs was crying over ex-girlfriend, Selena Gomez, (who the track is rumored to be about) but after an appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Justin set the record straight, stating that he was just overwhelmed by the positive feedback of the performance. He went on to say that the last time he appeared on an awards show (Fashion Rocks 2014) he was booed while performing. We’re glad the Biebs has turned over a new leaf and has found some hope and clarity for the future.
WORST
Jimmy Iovine Thinks Women Have a Difficult Time Finding Music
When Interscope Records and Beats By Dre co-founder, Jimmy Iovine, made an appearance on CBS This Morning to promote Apple’s new music streaming service, he may have said too much. A series of commercials featuring Mary J. Blige, Kerry Washington and Taraji P. Henson display Apple Music’s playlist curation as like having “a boyfriend that makes you a mixtape.” To “better explain” himself, Iovine stated that, “women find it very difficult at times to find music.” As if that weren’t enough, he went on to say, “I just thought of a problem: Girls are sitting around talking about boys. Or complaining about boys! They need music for that, right? It’s hard to find the right music. Not everyone knows a DJ.” While Iovine has since made a public apology for his poor choice of words, the damage is already done. The online backlash was fierce, coming from female music journalists and listeners around the world and rightfully so! Fortunately, women know a thing or two about discovering new music on their own without the help of a man and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to make him a curated playlist of bands he’s probably never even heard of.
Kanye For President?
Kanye West, though a very talented and innovative musician – we’ll give him that, seems to think he’s relevant 100% of the time. When the rapper decided to announce he’d be running for president in 2020 at the 2015 MTV VMAs, America was a bit confused…and horrified to say the least. Not sure what’s worse: Trump or West. Just…no. Was he serious? No clue but we really hope not.
Ariana Grande #DonutGate
When Ariana Grande was caught on camera licking a doughnut she didn’t buy (SHOCKING, huh?) while claiming she hated America, the media wasted no time calling her every name in the book while exploiting a rather ridiculous, sarcastic moment for the world to see. The singer later had to make a statement proclaiming her love for her country while apologizing to anyone she may have offended. I’m sure some eye-rolls were happening during that one. So a pop star licked a doughnut. How is this news? On the bright side, it only made us want to lick more doughnuts while pondering what TMZ would catch us doing that may warrant an apology. I hear Sprinkles’ cupcakes calling my name…
Jeremy Davis Leaves Paramore
Paramore have survived a decade’s worth of ups and downs, including the departure of brothers Josh and Zac Farro in 2010. Now, nearly 5 years later (and during the same week, no less) the band announced that bassist, Jeremy Davis, has left the band on good terms. This leaves founding member (and let’s be honest, warrior queen) Hayley Williams and guitarist Taylor York, making Paramore a duo now. The fact that this band has gone through hell and back while continuing to make music is something to take note of. We wish nothing but the best for Paramore and Jeremy Davis. This next chapter should be interesting.
What do you think were the best and worst music moments of 2015?
