13 musical moments to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

November 24, 2017

[Pictured, L-R: Mike Shinoda, Twenty One Pilots, Brendon Urie; Photos by: YouTube/Recording Academy/GRAMMYs, Linkin Park/Y ouTube]

From numerous natural disasters and shootings, to the loss of so many great musicians and the end of Warped Tour, it's safe to say 2017 wasn't an easy year. However, there's still plenty to be thankful for. In the past few months, we watched our scene come together to help each other and do some pretty cool stuff—Broadway and the Grammys, anyone?

So, here are some of the best moments of 2017 to think about this Thanksgiving.

1. Sonny Moore reuniting with From First to Last

Ten years after leaving the band to pursue a solo career as Skrillex, Sonny Moore not only went back into the studio with his old band mates to record “Make War” (and maybe more songs? We're still waiting!), but also did a surprise performance with them at Emo Nite LA, which included an acoustic rendition of “Emily.”

2. Linkin Park's tribute concert in honor of Chester Bennington

The death of Chester Bennington was a heavy one for the scene. It led to many beautiful tributes and important conversations about mental health, but the most incredible part was watching so many musicians come together to celebrate Bennington's life in concert.

3. Brendon Urie starring in Kinky Boots

Panic! At the Disco's frontman didn't just rock as Charlie Price, his Broadway debut also increased both the musical's capacity and gross potential. Also, Brendon Urie in heels: Who isn't thankful for that?

[Photo by: Tumblr]

4. Asking Alexandria releasing their first songs after reuniting with Danny Worsnop

The band also announced an album and a co-headlining tour with Black Veil Brides. This is almost too good to be true.

5. Sam Carter of Architects calling out gropers at concerts

Amidst so many abuse allegations, it's great to see people who work towards making shows safer for everybody.

6. The super emo NASA eclipse playlist

Twenty One Pilots, All Time Low and two songs by Panic! At The Disco: Is there someone walking around NASA with eyeliner and a My Chemical Romance shirt on?

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7. Twenty One Pilots winning a Grammy… and accepting it in their underwear

Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun were nominated for five Grammys and won the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. They then took their pants off before accepting the award. According to the singer, the idea came up during the early years of the band, when they were watching the ceremony at home with some friends—all in their underwear—and Dun turned to Joseph and said: “You know, if we ever go to the Grammys—if we ever win a Grammy—we should receive it just like this.”

8. The Dangerous Summer reuniting

Almost four years after their breaukup and some time to focus on other projects, the band decided to get back together. “Once we started talking about the ideas, we realized that we really wanted to write a new record above anything else. We wanted to push the art forward, because we always believe in the music, above everything else,” they wrote in a statement. Obviously, we're hooked on their single “Fire” and ready for their 2018 tour.

9. Andy Biersack and Ben Bruce acting

Mixed reviews aside, seeing Andy Biersack and Ben Brunce in theaters is definitely something to be thankful for.

10. So many good songs, music videos and tours

Choosing our picks for best tours, music videos and songs of the year was so hard.

11. Bands doing really cool stuff for charity

Inspired by the travel ban, All Time Low released a special shirt to benefit the ACLU.

Taking Back Sunday, Frank Iero, Sleep On It and many more contributed to a compilation in benefit of the union.

Many musicians also came together to help Hurricane Harvey victims, including Fall Out Boy, Sleeping With Sirens and Blink-182—Mark Hoppus even wrote a song about dogs to help pets affected by the hurricane.

Green Day and the Wonder Years streamed special performances to raise money for victims in Houston and Puerto Rico.

12. Gerard talking about the possibility of a My Chemical Romance reunion

When all four members of MCR were spotted together in the U.K., reunion rumors started circulating… again. Gerard Way is known for dodging questions about the subject, but he said twice in 2017 it could happen. Altough we're not getting our hopes up because everyone seems to be really happy in their soo projects, it's great to know that, in Way's words, “My Chem will always be there for us if we want it.”

13. All of these albums released in 2017