Wall of Sound presents: “2017 YEAR IN REVIEW” – by Wall of Sound Photographer Renae Egan

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Paul 'Browny' Brown

As you can probably tell, I’m more of a pop punk fan than metal, but nonetheless 2017 has been a huge year in music. From Neck Deep, to Twenty One Pilots, to In Hearts Wake, I was lucky enough to do one of my favourite things in the world, many, many times this year for Wall of Sound, photograph some of these bands mentioned (thanks Browny, ya legend!). From almost getting knocked over in the photo pit by crowd surfers at In Hearts Wake, to being surrounded by squealing girls whilst photographing All Time Low, to just watching my favourites in Tonight Alive finally tour at home again (which I wrote some words about here), 2017 was one of my favourite years gig wise. 2018 is shaping up to be one hell of a year in music and I can’t bloody wait for what’s to come. Here’s my Wall of Sound 2017 Year in Review…

Top 5 Albums of 2017

1. Neck Deep – The Peace and The Panic
I was never a huge Neck Deep fan before this album. I had listened to them, seen them and even photographed them but I wasn’t crash hot on them. But now I listen to this album every single day. Usually multiple times. Must Listen: ‘In Bloom’

2. Paramore – After Laughter
I wrote a review on this earlier in the year when it came out. I was a bit unsure of it but like the Neck Deep album, I also listen to this album every day at work. I’m all about those 80s pop vibes now and I can’t bloody wait for this tour next year. Must Listen: ‘Rose-Coloured Boy’

3. In Hearts Wake – Ark
I’ve really gotten into this band this year, especially after photographing them on their Ark album tour. After seeing how good it was live, I went home and bought it off iTunes and now we’re here with it in my top 5 albums of the year. Must Listen: ‘Warcry’

4. As It Is – okay.
This album has so many bangers, the 50s aesthetic mashed in with the deep, heartfelt lyrics and Patty’s voice make this album a killer. Must Listen: ‘Austen’

5. You Me At Six – Night People
Anyone who knows me know how much I love You Me At Six. I mean, this album is no Sinners Never Sleep but it’s still so damn good and it was incredible live. Must Listen: ‘Plus One’ and ‘Swear’ (I can’t choose!)

Top 5 Songs of 2017

1. Neck Deep – ‘In Bloom’
2. Tonight Alive – ‘Temple’
3. State Champs – ‘Slow Burn’
4. Neck Deep – ‘Parachute’
5. Paramore – ‘Rose-Coloured Boy’

BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2017?

Neck Deep – ‘Happy Judgement Day’
This video is so sick, as is the song. I really like how they’ve used both animation and I guess you could call it live action? They’ve gone old school with the faded colours, those hideous school uniforms and that bloody TV on wheels but I’m completely backing it. Also loving how they’ve tied in the actual background of the song with the video, not just filmed something completely irrelevant or just done a tour video because this song is bloody powerful.

Top 5 Gigs of 2017

1. All Time Low – May 14th @ Festival Hall, Melbourne
I went to both the Sydney and Melbourne shows on the All Time Low tour and as much as I hate to say it, the Melbourne show was 10 times better than the Sydney show. The crowd was better, the setlist was better (because they played two of my favourite songs that they didn’t play in Sydney), and their performance was just better. And they didn’t play that atrocious Lorde cover in Melbourne. (Sydney Review & Gallery Here)

2. Twenty One Pilots – April 1st @ Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
This show was insane. Their performance was incredible but their production was next level! It was also my first time seeing a full twenty one pilots show and as you can imagine they sure as hell didn’t disappoint. Between the Elvis cover, the My Chemical Romance cover and Josh Dun shirtless almost the whole time, that gig was a solid 11/10. (Review & Gallery Here)

3. Green Day – May 10th @ Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
As if I’d write this list and not have Green Day on it. They’re never not good. They’re always my favourite live band. I guess that’s what happens when you’ve been a band for over 30 years, you kinda get really freakin good at touring.

4. Tonight Alive – November 2nd @ Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
There’s nothing quite like a Tonight Alive Sydney show. It’s home for them, it’s home for me, it’s home for so many. Despite it being the first home show with Whak, they were still absolutely incredible and I’ve never seen a Sydney Tonight Alive crowd lose their shit like they did for ‘Temple’. Again, as if I’d write this list and not have Tonight Alive on it. My absolute favourites. (Review & Gallery Here) 📷: Georgia Moloney.

5. Panic! At The Disco – January 27th @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Brendon Urie is probably the most musically talented man in the world and I was freakin blessed to be able to photograph one of my favourite bands growing up and still to this day. ‘Time to Dance’ will always make me lose it and that ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ cover is absolutely incredible. (Review & Gallery Here)

NEXT BIG BAND TO WATCH IN 2018?

Stand Atlantic. These guys are going to do big and badass things. Bon’s voice and the music is just that friggin good how can the world not pay attention to them! Special mention also goes to Melbourne lads Between You & Me AKA Australia’s answer to Neck Deep. Those guys are also going to be huge!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2018?

Unify! Fall Out Boy! Paramore! I can’t bloody choose but Unify (I’m hoping) is going to be the best time ever! I’m also probably too excited for the new Tonight Alive and Fall Out Boy albums. I’m also really hoping Neck Deep do a headline tour later in the year because that new album is far too good to not tour properly here.