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Ones To Watch in 2026
- BOOT
- Jan 3
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 9
2025 didn't just bring us some incredible albums and some defining releases from the biggest voices in the Indie world, it also uncovered a slew of exciting new voices who we believe are in for a huge 2026. From scrappy Indie Rock youngsters to bands who are on the crest of a wave ready to plunge into their debut albums, here's an unordered list of acts you need to watch out for this year.
Basht
This year we've seen a much deserved rise in appreciation for talent coming from Ireland, Basht are a perfect example. Since the release of their debut EP ‘Dirty White Lies’ the Irish Alt-Rockers have been crafting tracks that are laced with confident riffs and heated bridges. While touring with Wunderhorse and Swim School plus appearing at festivals like Truck Fest, they’ve showcased unrestrained, gritty guitar and intimate vocals.
Although their first EP would be difficult to follow, Basht outdo themselves on their second release ‘Bitter And Twisted’. Crowd pleaser ‘Vain’ feels like the cousin of Wunderhorse’s ‘Midas,’ powerful with raw drum hooks and icy vocals while ‘Sacred Heart’ exhibits a vulnerable side of the band where they reminisce where they came from.
Words by Izzy Hayden
Keo
Unless you've been living under a rock, you will have heard of Keo recently and for completely valid reasons. Their debut EP ‘Siren’ sees them master guitar heavy tracks that are a little bold, very loud and never too over-polished.
Even before they had any official releases the group had dedicated fans at gigs singing along, something which has continued with about 50% of their audience belting out the words to their unreleased songs on their recent tour. Keo not only have a talent for making breathtaking guitar riffs look effortless but have already created a community who will follow them to the end.
Words by Izzy Hayden
She’s In Parties
With tracks oozing ethereal rhythms and delicate vocals, London based quartet She’s In Parties are reviving Dream-Pop, especially on their latest EP ‘Are You Dreaming?’.
Cocktailing frontperson Katie Dillon's soul-stirring vocals and shoegazey guitar-hooks that are often charming yet sometimes spooky, the group have an alluring, unique nature. Although it’s easy to hear a fusion of inspiration from bands like Mazzy Star and Slowdive, She’s In Parties approach to music is much more fun and upbeat, a vibe which is bound to skyrocket them.
Words by Izzy Hayden
MLEKO
Self-dubbed ‘Neo-Confused-Folk-Rock’, MLEKO pose an exciting new sound born in Manchester’s underground and have gained attention fast with their visceral live shows that landed them a deal with tastemaker label Heist or Hit. The 7 member ensemble pride themselves in their chaotic blend of sounds, raw Post-Rock intensity and bursts of Jazz-leaning brass assembled in a perfectly structured mayhem.
MLEKO are distinctly creative, sitting somewhere between the sounds of Black Country, New Road and Squid, although with a uniquely honest sincerity. Their live shows have caused waves in all the right ways - loud, emotional, and unpredictable, a real treat for listeners. After a strong run of local gigs and a successful release of their debut single ‘Gub Rock’, MLEKO are set to carry momentum into the new year, they will be rocking 2026 without hesitation.
Words by Cormac O'Carroll
Radio Free Alice
Hailing from Melbourne, Radio Free Alice are a Post-punk five-piece whose raw and exciting guitar tones harken back to 80s bands like Joy Division, The Jam, and Talking Heads with a fresh charisma. Combining urgent drum beats, sharp saxophone, and emotionally charged, operatic vocals from frontman Noah Learmonth, Radio Free Alice are trailblazing the Australian music scene.
With a jagged, gritty sound, these boys have distinguished themselves internationally too, having opened for bands like The Killers, Royel Otis, and Inhaler. As they embark on their first UK/EU headline tour this November, Radio Free Alice are a magnetic band to keep an eye on.
Words by Mary Rossiter
Florence Road
Hailing from County Wicklow, Florence Road offer up fresh Garage Rock that is guaranteed to give you an earworm. Lead singer and guitarist Lily Aron has a distinct vocal sound, giving the band a grungy and raw edge.
All of their EPs have a solid sound, but the stand-out track has to be ‘Figure it Out’ which feels like a needle drop in a coming-of-age film. They have supported Wolf Alice on their recent EU tour (a match made in heaven) and will no doubt become a familiar name on the circuit.
Words by Tabitha Rowland
Big Sleep
It’s time to wake up to Big Sleep, Dublin’s latest indie-rock four-piece sitting on the brink of a breakthrough. With their debut album ‘Holy Show’ due out on 30 January and fresh off their biggest tour yet, the band’s trajectory is clear, and latest single 'Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo' showcases their increasingly convincing vision. 'Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo' is a classic breakup song, balancing emotional weight with an irresistible charm. It opens with a swaggering, jangly guitar riff soon joined by an atmospheric, wailing solo, which propels the track forward throughout.
As with pre-album releases 'Crude' and 'Ruminate' - and akin to fellow up-and-comers NewDad and Junodream - the chorus leans into Big Sleep’s evocative, dream-pop instincts. Lines like “Who am I living for, those eyeballs at the door” float above the arrangement, capturing the anxious longing at the song’s heart, while the occasional “doo doo doo doo doo” mirrors the distracted, daydreaming state that follows a breakup. Emerging from Dublin’s thriving scene that has recently produced Fontaines D.C. and The Murder Capital, Big Sleep channel influences from Pixies and Joy Division, while aligning with the contemporary introspective indie of MJ Lenderman. By blending emotional depth with catchy guitar hooks and earworm melodies, 'Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo' confirms Big Sleep as a band fully in command of their sound and poised to make a mark on the indie landscape in 2026.
Words by Ben Cole
Pyncher
Manchester quartet Pyncher have gained a dedicated following in their city and their 2025 EP, ‘Every Town Needs a Stranger' proves why, bottling the chaos and charm of their live shows into something cinematic and strangely comforting. The lyrics are surreal and vivid, which feels both tongue-in-cheek and sincere.
Yet, what really sets the EP apart is it manages to balance their raw energy with something more harmonious and reflective. Beneath the danceable guitar riffs, there’s real angst, longing, and a gloomy melancholy that lingers. It almost sounds like the soundtrack to a Tim Burton film, in the best way possible, or what it might sound like if the Addams Family took LSD and started a band. We can’t wait to see what they cook up in 2026.
Words by Thomas McEvoy
Man/Woman/Chainsaw
Man/Woman/Chainsaw are a staple in London’s post-punk scene. It is hard to imagine a gritty venue floor in Brixton or sticky pub garden in Hackney without the addition of their jagged guitar and crackling vocals, arching strings and piercing drums.
With the release of their latest single ‘Only Girl’ they are settling quite beautifully between Black Country New Road and Mary In The Junkyard in the world of Art-Punk, and there is no where they better belong. Except, perhaps, on your one-to-watch list.
Words by Esme Morgan-Jones
Cliffords
Cork outfit Cliffords soundtracked our 2025 with a string of immensely absorbing and anthemic singles that dig a knife into your heart with the gothic poignancy. The vocals have a rounded rasp to them that elevates every line with a fiery power and emotion. 'Bittersweet' stands out as an infectious singalong anthem that carries just as much weight when sung in front of your bedroom mirror as it does being sung by sold out crowds at Clifford's incredible live shows.
Their latest release 'Marsh' dives into a more alternative sound, plucking on the heartstrings of 00s Emo fans while still delivering a sharp, modern sound comparable to Liverpool's Crawlers. Their 2025 acoustic renditions also showcased the beauty of their songwriting when stripped to its bare bones, highlighting that their anthemic noise is only there to amplify the haunting melodies and poetic lyricism that lies beneath.
Words by James Booton
PALES
PALES blew us away with their 2025 EP ‘Crush’ which seamlessly combines the grittiness of Post-Punk, the chaos of Noise Rock, all with a Pop element that maintains that the songs sound good. Our favourite track on the EP was the opener, and second single released in 2024, ‘Piece of Meat’. The track oscillates between quieter verses, in which Blake’s poetic spoken lyrics are given space to breathe, and louder choruses, with heavier guitars and shouted lyrics delivered with a true Punk energy.
‘Crush’ is PALES’ first multitrack project since their 2022 ‘In Our Hands?’, and the artistic progression is noticeable. They remain raw and unpredictable, but approach this with a more professional sounding project. Having created a project of such quality now, as they grow and develop, we have no doubt that this quality will only flourish further.
Words by Sam Horsfield
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