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. Florence Road Wicklow four-piece Florence Road have made waves on the Indie Pop scene w

Our Hull-hailing Alternative favourite LIFE is back with a fresh experimental palette! Their highly anticipated June release of ‘ABSTRACT/NATURAL’ kicks off our summer with a banging start, incorporating their trademark Post-Punk boldness with an expansive taste of Folk influence - all eloquently expressed through frontman Metz Sanders-Green’s vivid vocal delivery. Carrying a similar musical intensity to that of early Shame, LIFE’s poetic meditations provide an emotionally p

Having faced an abundance of nepo baby discourse already at age 20, Violet Grohl proves exactly why she shouldn’t be written off with debut album ‘Be Sweet to Me’. After years of sharing the stage with her dad the alt-rock 90s influence is prevalent, but it’s clear Grohl hasn’t been complacent and uses her debut to define her own sound instead of sinking into expectation. Photo Credit: Bella Newman The fuzzy guitar on opening single ‘THUM’ compliment the haunting flexibility

Big Special’s latest album, ‘O’JOY’ gets us into the thought-provoking groove as West Midlands duo Joe Hickin and Callum Moloney craft the perfect blend of poignant lyricism and dynamic instrumentals, inviting us into their universe of Post-Punk, Folk, Rock, and Blues…just to name a few! In thirty minutes, Big Special delivers a sound so uniquely theirs, yet speaks to an entire nation as they relay themes of political turmoil, working class issues, and mental health through a

Garage Rock’s high priest continues to misuse priceless boutique recording equipment with aplomb, resulting in a riotous LP. Thrillingly live, with few obvious overdubs, White produces his most primal recent expression of Rock ’n’ Roll minimalism, while asking many big questions and answering few. Photo Credit: David Swanson Comparisons to his last effort, 2024’s ‘No Name’, are inevitable here, but there is divergence enough to make this a worthwhile add-on. ‘Frozen Charlotte

Few bands have evolved as fearlessly as Yard Act. Three albums in, and the Leeds four-piece have pushed the boundaries of post-punk more than ever. Now with their new record ‘You're Gonna Need a Little Music’ (Out July 17th), they take another confident leap forward. Photo Credit: James Winstanley Recorded together as a full band in the studio for the first time, it captures an energy that goes beyond their other records. There is a rawness to these tracks that almost mirro

Brisbane’s indie-rock artist Harley has just released his new single ‘Tell Me You Love Me’, an up-beat track blending infectious vocals with compelling storytelling. The single wastes no time introducing the ultimate vibe of the tune with the first two lines serving as a hook to entice the listener. Harley takes inspiration from Sam Fender and the 1975 for this track, using vibrant riffs to share a story of self-doubt. The rhetorical questions throughout the song engage the l

Discover the best new music from across the continent from Indie Rock and Folk Pop newcomers to new releases from Europe's most exciting bands. Néomí Dutch-Surinamese singer-songwriter Néomí returns to the music world with her new heartfelt single, ‘Close’, offering the first glimpse into her upcoming EP ‘Crunchy, Sad and Strangely Happy’, set to release on the 18th September 2026. ‘Close’ explores the reality of being in a relationship that has run its course. The honesty Né

On a dreaded sunny day in Manchester, Johnny Marr took to the stage at Castlefield Bowl, for a homecoming gig as part of the Sounds of the City festival. Looking effortlessly cool as always, Marr strutted onto the stage adorning sunglasses and a denim jacket, wielding his trademark Fender Jaguar. Photo Credit: Aaron Parsons As he opened with the catchy Generate Generate, the usual tradition of train passengers waving from the bridge towering above began instantly, with one dr

We couldn't think of a better way to spend one of the hottest evenings of the year than sampling three of the most exciting UK performers while lapping up the summer sunshine. Well, this is exactly what we were treated to at Manchester's Castlefield Bowl this week as Wet Leg, English Teacher and THEATRE took to the stage in the blistering heat. Photo Credit: Harry Proctor // @harry.proctor.56 The natural amphitheatre of Castlefield Bowl immediately brings a cinematic quality

Despite the miserable weather in Manchester on Wednesday evening, American Indie Folk singer Annabelle Dinda had no problem uplifting the crowd with her energetic set. Dancing with her band on stage, the singer’s whimsical energy was felt by the audience, whose cheers got louder with the more songs she played. As her set came to a close, there were chants of ‘one more song’ and ‘another one’ that proved Annabelle had successfully done her job of warming up the crowd. The exci

Discover the best new artists emerging out of America right now... Julez and the Rollerz Attitude, bravado and peace amongst the noise are the defining features of this new song by LA’s Julez and the Rollerz. ‘Phaser’ pairs trashy lyrics with precise, detailed musical execution, shifting effortlessly between foot-stomping rock and peppy, cares-to-the-wind dance music. Their glam-grunge moniker makes perfect sense. Photo Credit: Zach Adams The arrangement channels the angula

Following on from the success of his 2025 album which bagged him yet another UK number one, Indie Pop superstar Tom Grennan is heading to Haydock Park Racecourse on June 20th for a huge headline show! We caught up with him to chat about the new album and the enormity of the upcoming show. Q. Having been through the album release process four times now, how do you find those final few weeks building up to the release of a new record? A. “ It's probably the most anxious I get

Dave’s Manual encourages you to leave your doom and gloom at the door with their latest track ‘Electrical’. Zapping us with their contagious Rock and Roll beats, the track transports us for two minutes and 37 seconds, where just for a moment, everything does in fact seem like its going to be okay. Foo Fighters-esque guitar sounds sail throughout as the lyrics remove the sense of urgency found in everyday life (“we’ll worry about it tomorrow”), capturing the care-free spirit t

Film star, fashion icon, music fanatic. Jeff Goldblum is best known for his acting career, leading in films such as Jurassic Park and becoming a regular Wes Anderson collaborator. Yet, his most recent starring role in the blockbuster musical Wicked showcased another of his passions... his love for broadway anthems. Perhaps unknown to many, Jeff has been performing for decades with his wonderful bandmates in The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Last year he released a brand new albu

Rum Jungle’s latest single ‘Got Time’ is exactly what is needed for summer with the track being a gorgeous, breezy Indie Rock tune. Splashing us with suave and smooth guitar melodies that slide in all the right places, the beachy groove is undeniable, while frontman Benny McIntyre’s vocals provide the heartwarming sentiment: “Know you got time on your side”. The track is effortlessly cool as the percussion, packed with serenity, melts with the infectiously tranquil sonics, wh

From the moment we press play on Kallsup’s latest single, ‘Kino’, we are immediately enticed, gripped by the Swedish band’s kaleidoscope of Shoegaze beauty. Beginning with a buzzing felt in every angle of our being, an infectious melody soon comes gliding in with a mysterious sleekness in its guitar powered tone. Blanketed by its dazzling haze, another guitar strums its way through with indulgent layers of reverbed synth and bass sounds, engulfing us in the instrumental fog.

Soul-crushing lyricism, angelic voices, and enchanting tunes- what more could you ask for on a Wednesday night in Manchester. This was exactly what dreamy, folky, singer-songwriter, Evie Moran, delivered as well as her opening act, Bryony Lloyd, at Band on The Wall, in the heart of the Northern quarter. Behind its rainbow painted doors beheld a show just as colourful. Photo Credit: Jake Cook With a low-lit ambience, opener Bryony Lloyd joined the stage, bringing audience m

This May, we took our first ever trip down to Brighton for THE most iconic festival for new music, The Great Escape, and it certainly lived up to its reputation. Taking place across the plethora of vibrant grassroots venues around the city and seafront, we took in 4 days of superb sets from the most exciting new acts across the world. Here’s our rundown of our most memorable moments from the weekend. Of course, the very nature of the festival is about showcasing emerging acts

Wasted romances, heartbreak, and fleeting love is what Brooklyn artist Belle Blue poignantly captures in her latest single, ‘Wash’. Packed with the sharp vividness of Blue’s songwriting (“Tasted like cigarettes and peach tea”), we become fully immersed in this sombre Indie tune, where the track cuts beneath the surface, going much deeper than just ‘it didn't work out, so now I’m sad’. Through her sweet American twang, Blue’s lyricism acts as an umbrella through lines such as,