The BBC recently put out an article highlighting the sound of 2025, in which Chappell Roan, already a pop sensation and arguably the sound of 2024, won in her ascent to mega-stardom. Little focus or care was put to newer, younger bands, who might need an uplift. This is an attempt to rectify that with a list of artists to watch in 2025.
Big Special
Official website: https://bigspecial.co.uk/
It’s not Big and it’s not Special, but it’s very much Big Special. I put POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES on my 2024 best of album and the collective response from everyone I told about them was “Who?” – they’re a tour de force of talent – due to tour at Kentish Town on 29 March and have just ate up End of the Road 2024 with a riotous set about post-punk Britain. Dot to Dot is their next festival with Fat Dog, Sprints and The Horrors – and their new track, Stay Down, Lazarus, with John Grant – is a raw highlight.
Brògeal
Official website: https://brogeal.com/
Scottish folk punk artist Brògeal have one EP out and not even a single album yet – but they’re a well-established, elite force of nature. The five-piece band are led by Daniel Harkins, with Sam MacMillan on the accordion and Aidan Callaghan a fellow co-founder. They met on the same Celtic bus, Callaghan and Harkins, and MacMillain came next – the band expanding their number. Their talent has seen them earn a 2024 self-titled EP from Merseyside indie royalty Rich Turvey, responsible for the same talent of Blossoms and Rachel Chinouriri, and you can tell that they’re in good hands. A real delight, all about what happens when you add banjo and mandolin to electric guitars, leading to a unique voice brought about with songs like Girl From NYC – that show their combination of genres like no other.
Brooke Combe
Official website: https://brookecombe.os.fan/
Soul is back in a big way for 2025 and Brooke Combe is one of its rising stars, a 24-year old Scot with her debut album out January 31. This Town is a statement piece – “this town a land of its own where nothing ever good goes on” shows the charm of a town but also the lack of opportunities to stand out – unapologetic in her vulnerability she’s able to take command of the uplifting escapist single – and emerge as a big new favourite.
Chloe Slater
Official website: https://chloeslater.co.uk/
21-year-old singer-songwriter from Bournemouth is on the rise – her song Price on Fun is catchy and highlights the nature of joy in the moment. She critiques influencers and the uber-rich unaware of their privilege, and can be thoughtful, interrogative and create lasting lyrics that stick around. Nothing is spared – landlords are a target of her wrath, and the poetry of ’24 Hours’ highlights the pain in the every day experience.
Clarissa Connelly
Official website: https://www.clarissaconnelly.com/
Her inspiration lies in Fanny & Alexander for her self-produced second album, World of Work, an operatic, magical and haunting landscape feeling that has led to her ICA show in February already being sold out, a casualty of a delayed date due to illness. The hype is there however – backed by influences like Kate Bush and Enya and has studied at the same Music Conservatory in Copenhagen that gave us Erika de Casier.
Cliffords
Website: https://thecliffordsband.com/
The way things are going now, you’d think everyone in Ireland is part of a post-punk band. Yet there’s something special about Cliffords, the Cork-based indie rock band that call to mind Wolf Alice, their pop/indie fusion gives off an explosive energy that thrives off songs like Shattered Glass – “She speaks in strawberry-scented sentences, and Oh my God you should hear her laugh,” is the highlight of the track – lead lyricist, singer and guitarist Iona Lynch crafts a star power that’s hard not to match.
Dame Area
Barcelona duo blend punk and techno for a thrilling fusion designed for immediate liftoff. They never play the same set twice – and have a headline London show In May before their journey into Primavera Sound; sure to capture the attention of any fan. They’ve even said that they’ll remove any popular songs from the set-list entirely, “we never want to be dependant on one track” is the watchword; and a band that thrives off the chaotic energy of only picking a set-list sometimes as short as an hour before stage times revels on their improvisation. Synth pop and coldwave leads into punk as their back catalogue progresses – it’s one to watch, for sure.
Disgusting Sisters
Jules and Josie are sisters – Disgusting Sisters, you might say. They formed last year and have already supported Two Door cinema Club in Ireland – not bad for a new band! They’re already at Reading and barely have a few tracks out – but the highlight has to be Killing It, a song that puts the blueprint down for the band’s statement pieces that has led them to the Great Escape festival this summer in Brighton. Full of punch and power, their “cunty punk rock” arrives in force.
Fat Dog
Website: https://fatdogfatdogfatdog.com/
Fat Dog have their new album out last year and are known for their barnstorming brilliant live shows – creating a mosh pit where in-between songs, the crowd call “Woof” for the band to start-up again. King of the Slugs and Running ramp up the energy of their chaotic tour in which Johnny ‘Doghead’ Hutch turns up wearing a dog costume – joined by Joe Love, Chris Hughes, Morgan Wallace and Jacqui Wheeler, the band combine elements of dance and punk with influences from Serious Sam to create a freewheeling mix of chaos.
Fuzz Lightyear
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Fuzzlightyear
Leeds punk/noise rock/slash grunge/garage rock punkers are chaotic and a real force of nature. I saw them at the Old Blue Last to kick of 2025 and they’re incredibly loud, fast and tons of fun – one of the most exciting post-punk bands to come out of the North and look set to play at Liverpool Sound City in 2025. Their grunge aesthetic draws comparisons with Nirvana, Sonic Youth and Deftones – and they’re one to keep an eye out on.
Getdown Services
Ben Sadler and Josh Law are childhood best mates who bring a raw punk sensibility to their work. I Got Views pokes fun of the annoying attitudes of every day life, and it’s plenty of blues rock grind –‘ I got views and I choose to share ‘em I don’t really care if you listen to ‘em’ is a barnstormer of a tune, rich with context and bravado in equal measure. Post-Brexit Apocalypse Duo is the watchword of the day – with deadpan, synth-laden songs.
Gurriers
Website: https://gurriers.net/
Gurriers are a band made for fans of sweaty punk mosh pits and IDLES lovers. They’re playing at Scala and Wide Awake 2025 – and were excellent live at End of the Road last year. They create a sense of rage and racket – their album, one of 2024’s best, shares not coincidentally, the same name as Come and See, the classic blueprint of cold unforgiving cinema. Their tracks – like Top of the Bill and Dipping Out, the latter about those who left Ireland for pastures new, showcase a band on the verge of explosion.
The Heavy Heavy
Website: https://www.theheavyheavy.com/
Recalling to mind the 60s with a new taste for the modern era, The Heavy Heavy are a band that have shades of early Fleetwood Mac – the Brighton quartet craft proto masterpieces like All My Dreams and their album, One of a Kind, has seen them explode onto the US scene more than the UK. Blues and folk rock nostalgia are ever present and fans of Jefferson Airplane will find themselves right at home with belters like Because You’re Mine.
Hidden Mothers
Primed to explode and already a regular favourite at ArcTangent, the Shieffield screamo band draw comparisons to the likes of Amenra and Deafheaven and look set to follow in their footsteps. Moody and deep they’re ethereal in nature and look set to take the hardcore scene to stardom.
High Vis
Website: https://highvisuk.com/
DIY band High Vis have a devoted following for their live shows and their signature aggressiveness is part of their charm. Frontman Graham Sayle commands confidence and class in their approach to politics, ultimately giving a message of hope. They’re another band returning from the European festival scene to the UK with a debut album in the wings – and their punk nature gives them a surefire hit waiting for them; its artful approach sounding as tough as a hardcore band in a way that leaves nothing to imagination.
HotWax
Website: https://www.hotwaxofficial.com/
Hastings/Brighton trio Tallulah Sim-Savage, Lola Sam and Alfie Sayers are a rising band that have a debut album on the way later this year. Post COVID; you’re seeing more and more bands take risks and they’ve already done that – where do you go after supporting your dream band, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs? Upwards and onwards of course – their summer on the festival scene shows them a band capable of adapting to the bigger stages, at All Points East and Rock Werchter. Incendiary guitar leads to echoes of Lambrini Girls, already on the rise – and they’re certainly one to watch.
Karen Dió
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/karendio
The feminist punk scene has seen Amyl and the Sniffers take centre stage and Karen Dió looks set to follow in their footsteps, debut EP My World takes the world by storm ahead of a March tour that takes her across Europe. Hailing from Brazil, which recorded its highest level of violence against women in 2024 – Dio uses her spotlight and fame to produce truths and in a predominantly male dominated society providing a safe space for the feminist and queer communities in a male dominated genre. Latin riot girl energy is unleashed in a big way – her support for Sum 41 hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Lambrini Girls
Website: https://www.lambrinigirlsband.co.uk/
Brighton band Lambrini Girls are an explosive punk rock group with a new album already out in January ahead of their first solo tour – I’ve booked to see them in Brixton in April; and Iggy Pop has called them one of the top punk acts going at the moment – randomly playing Help Me, I’m Gay – on BBC Radio 6. They tackle transphobia in their lyrics and have a single out promoting neurodiversity inclusion and describing autism meltdowns as cunty – as someone who’s neurodiverse, it’s hard not to love them for that reason. Cuntology 101 drops the word cunty way into double figures in just two minutes – “having an autism breakdown” and “doing a poo at your friends house” are among the highlights of a freedom of expression. It’s a deliberate move away from the family friendly nature of BBC Radio 6.
Maruja
Website: https://marujaofficial.co.uk/
Manchester’s own jazz punks are a bombastic raw talent, the city’s music scene has been corrupted by greed and they’re out to prove that it’s not what it used to be. Connla’s Well is a work of art – a five track collection that earned the no.1 rated EP on Rate Your Music last year; having not put out an album yet it’s only a matter of time – their homecoming show at Outbreak Festival in the summer will surely be something special. They’ve already done Glastonbury Introducing – what’s next?
Man/Woman/Chainsaw
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/manwomanchainsaw
Rock revival Man/Woman/Chainsaw emerge from the south London scene with echoes of Black Country, New Road – they’ve got a Scala gig and that should tell you all you need to know about their direction, like Gurriers, a band on the rise. It’s part of the DIY experimental scene that matches the intensity of schoolfriends Vera Leppanen and Billy Ward, who were joined by Emmie-Mae Avery, pianist, drummer Lola Cherry and violinist Clio Starwood. Sports Day recalls the school nature that they grew up in – “I’m sorry I dropped the baton, I’m just, I’m not that fast”, creates a sense of playfulness and courage.
Mary in the Junkyard
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/maryinthejunkyard
I saw Mary in the Junkyard open Wide Awake in 2023. Since then, they’ve gone from strength to strength – English Teacher fans will be right at home here. Clari Freeman-Taylor, Saya Barbaglia and David Addison combine for unique live shows with homemade costumes, they’re able to fully immerse you in a world full of talent and rising star. The reputations of a band growing rapidly at multiple festivals beyond Wide Awake – see, Green Man and End of the Road – they’re a Hertfordshire Hitchin band, as someone living in Herts as well, we have to show support for them. They wrapped up their set with Tuesday at Wide Awake and played seven brilliant songs that showcase the nature of their band.
Picture Parlour
Website: https://www.pictureparlour.co.uk/
I saw Picture Parlour support The Kills at Troxy, and they were arguably better than The Kills – no small feat. Their song, Norwegian Wood, is a triumphant burst of talent – the Mancunian band forming from the quartet of Katherine Parlour, Ella Risi, Sian Lynch and Michael Nash, were regulars at the Windmill in Brixton and always a firecracker of a talent in the making. Echoes of Arctic Monkeys are a delight – and the high praise from Courtney Love brought them to the rest of the world.
Pit Pony
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/pitponyband
Pit Pony are a band from the North East Coast; and Newcastle with their second album, Dead Stars, a riot of a band that draws influences by Wolf Alice, Interpol, Queens of the Stone Age, The Kills, IDLES and Fontaines DC – not bad company to be in. Jackie Purver’s vocals, Garth Purver’s and Andrew Jones on guitar have been championed by plenty of UK radio DJs across Radio 1 and BBC6 Music.
Prima Queen
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/primaqueen
I saw Prima Queen support The Big Moon at the Roundhouse and they look set to have an excellent year – their debut album, The Prize, comes out in April and they’re a band fronted by songwriting duo Louise Macphail and Kristin McFadden, by way of Bristol and Chicago. Their gritty nature draws influences from Julia Jacklin and Lucy Dacus.
The Umlauts
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/the.umlauts
Gloriously fearless and bold French, German and Italian hybrid link up for a stellar talent of art punk. They have a three-week residency at Electric Brixton in the first two months of the year and can bring a wide collection of multi-national talent together, violinist Magdalena McLean and co-lead Annabelle Modlinger are both Austrian – and their opening track off 2023 album Slags, Energy Plan is a firecracker – “Energy Plan for the Western Man” is euphoric and rebellious in nature tapping into the anger at intense consumption, as the nine-strong band arrive with real thunder and fury. A genre-bending collective that feels orchestral and dynamic.
Slate
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/slatecaban
Slate are a band described as “the Welsh Fontaines DC”; influenced by the traditions of Welsh poetry old and new. It’s raw, and an instant favourite – when a band comes along that explodes quite the same way Fontaines have, led by Jack Shepard, a confidently assured frontman, guitarist Elis Penri, drummer Raychi Bryant and Lauren Edwards on keyboards – they’re a fourpiece ripe for explosion. Tabernacl starts strong – and their launch of inspiration from the likes of Rimbaud and RS Thomas makes them a surefire literature favourite; also drawing on the likes of The Beach Boys and The Doors. Deathless had me falling in love instantly – I already had three tickets booked for the week that Slate were playing but there was no way I was going to resist a fourth.
thrown
Website: thrown site
thrown have followed in the footsteps of the likes of Speed and Kublai Khan TX to take the hardcore scene by storm. Their new album, Excessive Force, is a 20-odd minute tour-de-force that sees them sure to follow the Knocked Loose path to stardom. Having emerged as one of the highlights of Radar Festival, they’re a real star on the rise.
Yazmin Lacey
Her soulful jazz music has earned her a collaboration with Ezra Collective and a proudful voice of eclectic talent. The R&B star hailing from East London has used her music as an exercise in time and capable of capturing those moments and putting them into song – The Feels shows an artist who very much wears her heart on her sleve.
Vower
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/vowerband
Vower are the most intriguing new metal band to come out of the UK – debuting at Download and touring in February later this year, they’re another band to come out of Radar 2024 and have crossed over to 2000trees and Arctangent building up a reliable following. Explosive and full of energy with the fusion of members from Black Peaks, Toska and Palm Reader – their headline show at The Lower Third was a resounding warmup success. Expect them to be a household name in the alt music scene.
Header image courtesy of Adrian Korte on Unsplash.
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