Photo: WENN.com/Press
Now that we're past the halfway mark of the year, it seems astounding that the world of music has seen so much history made in the first six months of 2013.
From Bowie's comeback to Beyonce at the Superbowl, from the Stones returning to Slipknot at Download and from Glastonbury to 'Get Lucky', it's certainly been one hell of a year so far.
Before we start to look ahead at what the rest of the year has in store, let's take a look back at those iconic faces that have helped to shape 2013 so far.
Pharrell
Appearing in just about every awesome and mass-selling song of the year, Pharrell William's magic touch has seen him dominate the charts in 2013
Dev Hynes
Formerly Lightspeed Champion turned Blood Orange man and hit-maker extraordinaire Dev Hynes has spent his year making pure audio gold with Mutya Keisha Siobahn, Solange, Kylie Minogue and apparently Britney Spears too. What a guy.
David Bowie
The modern world hasn't seen a comeback quite like that of David Bowie when he shocked the world with the announcement of his comeback album, The Next Day. Most surprisingly of all, it was really bloody good. Not only is he ageing like a golden god, but with his awesome music videos, V&A exhibition and general enigmatic existance, he's proven himself capable of saturating every corner of the media's attention after over 40 years in the business.
Josh Homme
Whoever said that 'rock is dead' was left quivvering and afraid somewhere in a distant cave after Queens of the Stone blew the competition out of the water with the best rock record of the year, Like Clockwork. Check out exactly what Josh Homme is made of when the band deservedly up their game to headline an arena tour this winter. Or if you can't wait that long.
Kanye West
Love him or loathe him, you can't deny that Weezy stood has stood his ground in 2013. Whether he's a God as he claims or not, you've got love Kanye for fiercely standing tall as THE icon of modern hip-hop.
The Rolling Stones
A string of legendary gigs and the defining moment of Glastonbury 2013. This is what true icons look like.
Daft Punk
They were already iconic - let alone the most talked about, mass-selling and hyped band of 2013. Good on them. Keep the world dancing.
Alex Turner
Sheffield's coolest son (excluding Jarvis Cocker) proved that all he had to do to excite the planet was flick his quiff, furl his lip and rock the hell out. The year may well belong to Arctic Monkeys.
Biffy Clyro
Another rock band that upped their game in 2013, the shirtless Scots stormed back with a blinding double album that saw over a decade of hard work pay off to land them a sold-out arena tour and a headline slot at Reading and Leeds festival. Muse had better keep their eye on the throne. Mon The Biff.
Beyonce
Chime For Change, a stunning world tour and a historic Superbowl performance (where she shot her Destiny's Child bandmates out of the floor!) Has there been a more prominent female presence in music in 2013? If only she'd finish her bloody album...
Mumford & Sons
Overcoming the adversity of having a bassist with a blood clot on his brain to smash Glastonbury out of the water with a truly triumphant set, Mumford & Sons have had nothing less than an utterly glorious 2013 - their greatest victory of all perhaps being converting masses of haters.
