Anyone who lives in the same part of the world as me will tell you that summer is over. And even if you don't, with the season officially changing to autumn recently, the time has come to admit the truth.

It was a fun ride though, wasn't it? The changing of the seasons truly helps to give a little perspective, showing that everything in this world is a process.

But before we get too deep into our autumnal selves, it's worth taking a moment to look back at what was by all measures a great summer in the world of music festivals.

So without further ado, here are 10 moments that helped make Summer 2018 one for the books.

Beychella

Kicking off mid-April every year, Coachella unofficially rings in the summer for the festival world. After making the Beyhive wait a year, Beyoncé delivered an instantly classic set that had a little bit of everything: huge guest appearances (including a Destiny's Child reunion), mesmerising stage production and even some sobering food for thought.





A meme incarnate

The EDM world is a funny one. Some make it to the main stage through their talent, others through their gimmicks. Whatever camp you want to put Salvatore Ganacci in is up to you. All I'll say is those kinds of moves don't come easy.





Old and new schools collide at Rolling Loud

One of the main talking points from J. Cole's new album KOD was the song "1985" which sees the Raleigh, North Carolina native try to impart some advice on the new mumble rap generation. Taking particular aim at Lil Pump, the track became a lightning rod for the ongoing battle between rap's old and new schools, so when both Cole and Pump were announced for Rolling Loud 2018, everyone wanted to see what would go down.

With chants of "F*ck Lil Pump" popping up every now and then, and with the young rapper himself watching from stage right, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally happened.





Drake saves the day at Wireless

In what was one of the world's worst kept secrets, DJ Khalid's headlining set at Wireless was replaced by a special appearance from the 6ix God himself. Probably actually more popular in London than in his hometown of Toronto, fans went nuts when Drizzy took the stage at the end of Giggs' set and immediately forgot all about how DJ Khalid just straight up decided not to make an appearance at a show that had been scheduled for months.





Avicii Tributes

It seems like every year now we're hit with at least a few tough losses of beloved musicians. Although never easy, the untimely passing of Tim Bergling aka Avicii rocked the music world. A foundational force in the rise of EDM, Avicii inspired an entire generation of electronic music artists who in return used their platform to show their gratitude to their fallen comrade.





A force reborn but for a moment

Like anything popular, opinions are divided on the music merits of EDM. However, even true snobs have to admit that Swedish House Mafia had some bangers. So when Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Steve Angello all took the stage together for the first time in five years in a surprise one-off set to close Ultra Music Festival's 20th anniversary edition this summer, you can rest assured there are a lot of people from a broad range of musical allegiances who wish they'd have been there.





Arctic Monkeys are back

It's funny how bands evolve. In their early days, Arctic Monkeys were the type of band to constantly release new music. But now well into their second decade of rock dominance, the band have slowed their pace considerably, releasing their first album in five years just before festival season really kicked into gear.

Though they certainly made the festival rounds this summer, their headlining set at TRNSMT was actually their only one in the UK. Arctic Monkeys shows are always great, but ones on their home turf are even better. If you want to see a crowd go nuts, check this out.





A statement is made

In the wake of Sweden's biggest music festival, Bråvalla Festival, being cancelled for its annual string of sexual assaults, a new festival was born out of frustration. Rallying around the need for safe spaces, the concept for a new festival where cis men are banned until all men learned how to behave became Statement Festival.

With much debate surrounding the project at every stage of its planning, the festival finally took place at the end of August and went off without a hitch.





Making nan proud

This one doesn't take a whole lot to understand why it's on the list. Old people are cute. Old people in places such at Tomorrowland are even cuter. Add in that this adorable old lady is actually singing along to her grandson aka Afrojack perform on electronic music's biggest stage and you have a truly memorable moment from summer 2018.

Family is important even if you're famous

Kind of similar to the last one (with admittedly less adorable old people), but at her Good Vibes set in Malaysia SZA brought her mom out on stage and got the entire crowd to sing happy birthday to her. It's kind of unfair how easy it is to win at your mom's birthday when you're famous.