Music

Five female-fronted bands to watch this year

Whether you’ve ever noticed a shortage of women in music or not, the recent swarm of female-fronted bands has brought our favourite ladies right to the forefront.

Blogger and self-confessed music obsessive, Emma Matthews, rounds up her favourite girl power acts of the moment.

Stand back boys. In the past year, there have been more females than ever rising to the forefront of music and stepping into the limelight. From pop icons like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga to fresher faces like Charli XCX and FKA Twigs, 2014 was the year of female dominance and judging by the promise of these female-fronted bands, that isn’t about to change any time soon.

Marmozets - Move, Shake, Hide [OFFICIAL VIDEO 2014 VERSION]

Marmozets
Equipped with hard-hitting riffs and gut-wrenching screams, if there’s one female-led band that prove you don’t need sugar-coated melodies and sickly sweet lyrics to be successful, it’s Marmozets. Fronted by 22-year-old Becca Macintyre, the five-piece’s vigorous take on in-your-face rock has allowed them to take centre stage and play with the likes of Four Year Strong, Young Guns and Funeral For A Friend. Having just kicked off their headline tour this week, their popularity is almost as rapid as their music; just don’t expect them to ever slow down.

Phantogram - Fall In Love

Phantogram
Hailing from New York, Phantogram are an electric-pop duo who merge hazy synths with ridiculously catchy melodies. Your ideal companion when it comes to mad house parties or smouldering club nights, they’re practically the new CHVRCHES. Who could resist that?

HAIM - If I Could Change Your Mind (Official Video)

HAIM
Admittedly, HAIM have been around a while now, but that doesn’t mean they’re dropping off my girl power radar. Charming the nation with an indie-pop sound that bears resemblance to the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Florence + The Machine, these sisters feel like the Spice Girls of today. Don’t expect any glittery platform boots or patriotic dresses just yet, but the trio are showing us a fun, chic take on what an all-female band is capable off. Not to mention their killer dance moves.

Deap Vally - Bad For My Body

Deap Vally
Made up of Julie Edwards and Lindsey Troy, LA duo Deap Valley relish in a retro throwback style that combines a blues groove with the most rebellious debauchery. Envisage leopard print mixed with attitude, that’s lashed in shrill screams and ballsy harmonies. Middle fingers up, please.

Milk Teeth
Sounding as fiery as a kid at a Nirvana concert, Bristol based Milk Teeth are flying the flag for female-led grunge this year. Their debut EP, Sad Sack, sees co-vocalist Becky Bass display songbird abilities so nostalgic (I’m looking at you, Courtney Love) they feel like a blow to the head. It’s okay to start a one-woman mosh pit, even if it is in the middle of your bedroom… trust me.

Who’s your favourite female-fronted band right now? Let Emma know at @emmamatthewz.