Is it just us, or does Summer in the City seem to go by faster every year?
For the ninth year in a row, the organisers managed to put together a gathering to remember. From the panels and musical performances to the many meetups and activities, this year’s Summer in the City was without a doubt the best one yet. In fact, we had such a great time that we thought we’d round up the event’s ten best moments to close out our official SitC coverage for the year.
Here they are, in all their glory: TenEighty’s top ten moments from Summer in the City 2017!
1. The Disability and Disfigurement Online panel
Photo by George Yonge
There were a variety of new panels this year at Summer in the City and one of our favourites from the new lineup would definitely have to be Disability and Disfigurement Online. Featuring Grace Mandeville, Nikki Lilly, Krystal-Bella Shaw, Jessica Hellgren-Fozard, and Vix Jensen, the panel discussed disability and visibility on YouTube, how the site is serving as a platform to empower and educate, and how best to deal with negative and intrusive comments.
It was definitely one of the more eye-opening panels, and we hope to see it make another appearance at SitC 2018.
2. Baking With Layton Live!
Photo by Anna Holling
It’s no secret that we here at TenEighty UK love Baking With Layton, so we obviously had to include the series’ live edition on our list! Featuring Daniel J. Layton baking brownies with Sammy Paul, Hazel Hayes, and Chloe Dungate, it was a live show experience to remember.
Whilst the brownies didn’t turn out as expected and the equipment malfunctions were plentiful, the show overall was filled with so many hilarious bants and good times that it was easily one of the best parts of SitC. Here’s hoping they bring it back next year!
3. Bertie and Gene winning Film of the Year
Photo by Anna Holling
One of the best and most heartwarming moments from the Summer in the City Awards 2017 was when Bertie Gilbert won Film of the Year for My Sister. A film about his sister Gene, it was definitely deserving of recognition and we’re so incredibly glad it won this award.
If you haven’t watched the film, we couldn’t recommend it more. It’ll leave you feeling all the feels.
4. Hazel Hayes announcing that she’s writing a book
Photo by George Yonge
During the Women Who Write panel, Hazel let slip that she’s currently writing a book! While very few details are currently available, we do know she’ll be taking the traditional route of submitting her book to agents and publishers unsolicited. Here’s hoping she lets slip what it’s about soon!
5. The Ethnicity Online panel
Photo by George Yonge
The Ethnicity Online panel was another must-watch from the weekend. Featuring Jana Damanhouri, Jemel Akeem, Eman Kellam, Nadir Nahdi, and Taha Khan, it featured a discussion about diversity and inclusivity on YouTube and the importance thereof. Everything said was enlightening and important, and we hope to see the points discussed put into practice on YouTube.
6. Emma Blackery winning Song of the Year
Photo by Anna Holling
Not only did Emma Blackery put on a killer headline performance at this year’s Summer in the City, she also won the award for Song of the Year! It was great to her hard work appreciated, and we’re so glad her determination is paying off.
Congrats, Emma! You truly deserved this award.
7. The #YouTubeHonestyHour panel
Photo by Anna Holling
From moments of shade to genuine discussion, this year’s #YouTubeHonestyHour panel was definitely one to remember. Featuring Thomas Ridgewell, Alex Wassabi, Gabbie Hanna, Aaron Burriss, Jamie Jo, Kyle Hatch, and Liam Dryden, it covered a variety of topics, from weird fan encounters (Jamie’s was so creepy!) to the current trend of diss channels.
Overall, it was quite an interesting and engaging discussion, and as always was one of our favourite panels from the weekend.
8. The TenEighty Yearbook 2017
We couldn’t let this list go by without a little self-promo. (We never said we were humble.)
Just like at Summer in the City 2016, we set up a little photoshoot area backstage and had lifestyle photographer Dave Bird take photos of all our faves, including Alex Bertie and Jake Edwards, Em Ford, Riyadh Khalaf, and many more! The full photoshoot can be found here, and it’s pretty heart-eye inducing, if you ask us.
9. Evan Edinger losing his Smash Bros. title
The only reason why we’re including this in our top moments is because of how unexpected it was! It’s widely known that Evan Edinger is the Super Smash Bros. king, but he lost the crown to Oli Parsons during SitC’s tournament. And while he was disappointed, he handled the loss gracefully and congratulated Oli on a well-deserved win.
We’re looking forward to next year’s rematch!
10. The Mental Health panel
Photo by Emma Pamplin
Closing out our list is the Mental Health panel. Featuring Calum McSwiggan, Thomas Ridgewell, Eman Kellam, Marie Jacquemin, and Teoh Lander-Boyce, it was an open discussion of the panellists’ own experiences with mental health problems. Each highlighted the coping mechanisms they’ve used, the advice they’d give to those going through the same things as them, and how to best open up to loved ones.
It was one of the more important discussions of the weekend, and we were glad to see how open and honest the panellists were.
Photos by George Yonge, Anna Holling, Dave Bird, and Emma Pamplin.
Another SitC has come and gone…
We had so much fun at this year’s gathering – so much so that we wish we could fast-forward the clocks to SitC 2018! What were some of your favourite moments? Be sure to send us a tweet to @TenEightyUK and let us know!
Want more Summer in the City 2017? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered:
- Sad Dads of Summer in the City 2017
- Meet-and-Greet Goals at Summer in the City 2017
- Our Favourite Slurps From Slurp Live With KickThePj at Summer in the City 2017
- Women on YouTube Panel at Summer in the City 2017
- Gender Identity Panel at Summer in the City 2017
Follow @TenEightyUK on Twitter or like TenEighty UK on Facebook.
