Music

jessicabridgeman / 17 December 2015

20 rising artists to watch in 2016

Whether you love rock and metal, or have a penchant for indie and electro-pop, we’ve rounded up 20 of our favourite new acts promising big things in 2016, in association with Ticketmaster Rising.

1. Black Foxxes

Loud, gimmick-free and instantly infectious, these young British rockers are building towards an exciting debut album in 2016. Expect smart lyricism and choruses bigger than an ocean.

2. Black Honey

Say hello to everyone’s new favourite indie band from Brighton. Black Honey have the delicacy of Lana Del Rey-esque vocals, with a bite like Best Coast and a shoegazey quality to the way their guitars soar and spin around lyrics. They’re simply delightful.

3. Milk Teeth

There’s grunge, there’s punk and then there’s Milk Teeth. The dual vocals of Josh and Becky ensure there’s nothing else quite like this Stroud foursome around right now, and they’ve got a debut up their sleeve that proves they’ve only hinted at their capabilities so far.

4. Alessia Cara

Having already secured a spot on Spotify’s Year in Music 2015 list, this Canadian singer/ songwriter and Def Jam artist is set to gain a new legion of fans when she tours the UK early next year.

5. Creeper

The youthful spirit of British punk feels reborn thanks to the rise of Southampton mob, Creeper. The Stranger EP, and follow up to 2015’s Callous Heart EP, is already being cited as one of the greatest releases of next year. It’s safe to assume these Roadrunner Records newbies are only just getting started.

6. Hinds

This Spanish four-piece have a spirit that’s simply irresistible. Giddy, rebellious and sincere; theirs is an emotional rollercoaster that you won’t get sick of.

7. Vitamin

We caught these Leeds electro-rockers on tour with Sundara Karma this year and it took us approximately 60 seconds of their sunshine sound to get us hooked. 

8. Rat Boy

Somewhere between Jamie T and The King Blues, there’s Rat Bot, aka Jordan Cardy. Telling stories that stay true to his Chelmsford roots, this teen possesses a cheeky charm that’s quickly catching the attention of music influencers UK-wide.

9. Dead!

They’re the cult that’s beginning to bubble in the British rock scene, with an ‘Damned, Restless, Future’ ethos that’s fast hooking fans longing for something akin to My Chemical Romance’s original style of theatrical emo-rock.

10. Jerry Williams

We’ve become well and truly smitten with this Portsmouth pop songstress, with 2015’s Cold Beer EP helping to spread the word on her unique, Jamie T-style brilliance.

11. The Big Moon

If Wes Anderson started a band, it would probably sound a whole lot like these four London friends. Plus, we love ladies that aren’t afraid to laugh at themselves, just check out the video below and prepare to fall hard for them.

12. Crooks

Melodic hardcore is due for a shake up in 2016 courtesy of Cheltenham’s Crooks. 2015’s debut Are We All the Same Distance Apart is simply stunning with nods to Saves The Day and Gallows.

13. Clean Cut Kid

They call it ‘soulful pop ballads, washed in Mersey water’ and the Liverpool gang ooze a Vampire Weekend essence that backs it up beautifully. Expect to see A LOT of this four-piece throughout festival season and beyond.

14. Nothing But Thieves

Okay, so they’ve already sold out London’s Electric Ballroom but for anyone who hasn’t stumbled upon this Southend-on-Sea five-piece yet, there’s simply no time to waste. Conor Mason’s vocals are reminiscent of Matt Bellamy, while the band’s overall radio-friendly rock promises to put them to big stages, and fast.

15. Press To Meco

This Crawley/Croydon trio are stepping out with an alt-rock formula that reminds us of British favourites like You Me At Six and Lower Than Atlantis. You’ll want to catch them on tour in February!

16. Lianne La Havas

London-born folk and soul singer/songwriter, Lianne La Havas, may not be a new name but the rise we’re expecting from her in 2016 suggests she’ll be a new offering entirely. We can’t wait to see what she does next.

17. SHVPES

These Birmingham pals, formerly known as Cytota, are plotting huge things for next year. A new record, new tours and a new reason to mosh. You may want to start limbering up now…

18. Bully

It’s safe to say Nashville’s Bully are cooler than most bands you’ll come across next year. Officially a ‘buzz band done good’; Bully may’ve had a great 2015 but their 2016 should see them go mainstream (in the most punk way possible, of course).

19. Muncie Girls

Exeter three-piece, Muncie Girls have an ease about them that suggests they won’t have even contemplated how huge they could get. With a new record up for pre-order right now, their punchy punk rock is fit to soundtrack everything from your best nights out to your biggest break-ups.

20. Black Peaks

The loudest thing to come out of Brighton this year, Black Peaks cover all ground between progressive hardcore, math rock and post-rock, while producing something altogether new and exciting. Like riffs? Good, then get listening.

Let us know what you think of these bands, and any other new bands you’re loving right now, via @TicketmasterUK.