20 artists to look out for in 2020
2019 is already history and Winter is full of interesting shows that will keep us busy while we wait for another exciting festival season. I have picked some artists you should be looking out for in 2020.
Don´t miss the selection below and the dedicated playlist on Spotify!
01. Just Mustard
Just Mustard are a 5 piece band from Dundalk, Ireland. Crafting their own unique blend of noise, trip hop and electronic influenced music, they released their debut album “Wednesday” to critical acclaim earning a nomination as album of the year in the 2018 Choice Music Prize and described by NME as “a two-toned masterpiece, flipping from hypnotic, smoky vocals to screeching industrial noise on the fly." Their music drags you through a whole emotional spectrum. You ́ll love them if you like bands like Wolf Alice, Slowdive or Warpaint.
Follow them here!
02. The Mysterines
Listed by Paul Weller as a “good reason to be excited about the future of British rock”, Liverpool based band The Mysterines, take the raw elements of grunge and blend them with classic rock choruses. And singer Lia Metcalfe has an undoubtedly massive stage presence. For fans of Wolf Alice or Sam Fender.
Follow The Mysterines here!
03. Inhaler
These four friends from Dublin who formed Inhaler in school, are fighting to get some recognition for their music and not for having Elijah Hewson as band’s frontman (he is son to Bono, mega famous singer of U2). And thanks to a handful of hits they have amassed a diehard fanbase, with their tracks being streamed over 8 million times. They make songs about being young and finding your way, making music that connects. “I’m just trying to write about the joy of being alive, being a teenager, and the bad things that can come with that. I don’t like it to be all happy, I don’t like it to be all sad”, says Hewson. Influenced by bands like The Stone Roses, Joy Division, The Strokes, Depeche Mode, Interpol, Kings Of Leon or The Cure, you will like them if you like bands like Catfish & The Bottlemen.
Discover more about them here!
04. Dayglow
Dayglow is the project of Austin based 20-year-old Sloan Struble. Energetic and eternally hopeful, Dayglow’s debut album, “Fuzzybrain,” is a direct window into Struble’s mind and serves as a testament to the DIY spirit. Several million streams later, now with a history of sold out shows, it’s clear that Dayglow has filled a void. You´ll like him if you are a fan of Boy Pablo or Phoenix!
Find out more about the world of Sloan Struble here!
05. Chinatown Slalom
Difficult to tie them down by genre, Liverpool based Chinatown Slalom brilliant debut album “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” blends everything from jazz and funk to indie and hip hop. You ́ll like them if you are a fan of Glass Animals or Gorillaz.
Discover more about this band here!
06. Mk.gee
R&B, jazz, indie and bedroom pop with intimate lyricism could perfectly describe what Michael Gordon, better known as Mk.gee is doing. Originally from New Jersey, Michael has spent the last few years living in Los Angeles. This talented multi-instrumentalist has toured together with Omar Apollo (also featured on this list) and has been handpicked by Frank Ocean for his Blonded Radio show. Highly recommended!
Learn more about Mk.gee here!
07. Odd Morris
Coming from North Dublin, Odd Morris earned a reputable name through their brooding live performances across the country alongside peers Fontaines D.C. and The Murder Capital doing a a brand of indie post-punk which has seen them rise steadily in Irish music acclaim. They have already played two of Ireland's biggest music festivals (All Together Now and Electric Picnic). Try not to miss them live if you have the chance to!
Follow Odd Morris here!
08. Bakar
Another artist coming from London, this time from Camden. Inspired by Otis Redding and blessed by Skepta, Elton John and fashion designer Virgil Abloh, Bakar has called his music "schizophrenic", and said that he attempts to "bridge the gap" between different music genres. His songs are colourful vignettes of everyday life, where each one given a signature dose of street smarts.
Follow Bakar here!
09. Mxmtoon
Mxmtoon, also known as Maia is a YouTube sensation coming from California and she could be the American version of Norwegian sensation Girl In Red. Her 2018 self-released EP, “Plum Blossom”, recorded in her parents' guest bedroom has been streamed over 100 million times. In her recently released new album, the Ukelele sounds that made her famous on YouTube remains but it also looks like she’ll make a pretty good pop star too!
Learn more about Maia here!
10. Omar Apollo
Omar Apollo, a 22-year old, first generation Mexican-American singer from Indiana, began writing and recording his own mix of jazz, R&B, funk, alternative, soul, and pop music after getting bored of only playing in church. With a hell of a personal life story, Omar has been part of the Foundry program for emerging talents promoted by YouTube (Dua Lipa, Rosalia or Cuco where there too), has played at Lollapalooza and has just been confirmed for Coachella. I predict for Omar a very successful career!
Read the conversation I had with Omar Apollo before his last show in Berlin and learn more about him!
11. Apre
Apre ́s members Charlie Brown and Jules Konieczny met at a chess club in West London. In their own words: “We sound like what Mozart would have sounded like if he was still about”. The alternative pop duo have spent 2019 touring America and they even played at Glastonbury festival. Do not miss them!
Learn more about the British duo here!
12. Georgia UK
Georgia Barnes, known simply as Georgia UK is a 21-year-old singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist coming from London. She is responsible of the hits “Started Out” and “About Work the Dancefloor”. After having supported Metronomy, with a second album about to be released this January and a solo tour upcoming, 2020 could finally be the year of this British musician that makes amazing “post-punky hip-hop soul”.
Learn more about Georgia UK here!
13. Lily Moore
Daughter to Gary Moore, iconic guitarist of Thin Lizzy, Lily Moore has needed no help with her music career and she flies solo after years busking in the streets of Brighton. Her jazzy modern soul that recalls to Amy Winehouse or Gin Wigmore is pure magic, and after playing at The Great Escape or support shows for George Ezra and James Bay, there is gonna be a lot of Lily Moore in 2020.
Find out more about Lily here!
14. Bamily
Brixton, London based band Bamily make pop music which takes influence from disco, hip-hop and soul. Using elements of DJing in their vibrant live set and production, the band open a world of sample heavy beats over luscious pads and percussion loops. You ́ll like them if you ́re fan of Phoenix, Friendly Fires or The Maccabees. Very interesting band!
Follow them here!
15. Sea Girls
With already a reputation for their frantic live performances and epic guitar rock sound, Sea Girls have the determination to make themselves a place in the music scene. Frontman Henry Camamile says: ”We’ve worked so hard to get here. We’re so clear-headed about where we want to go, where we want to be and what we want to say. I don’t want to let anything knock us off track." Kicking off 2019 with a Summer of riotous festivals, a sold out solo tour and European shows supporting Foals, it's no wonder that they don't expect to slow down in 2020. Follow them closely!
Discover more about Sea Girls here!
16. Alfie Templeman
Born in 2003 to a musical family in Bedfordshire, Alfie Templeman played all the instruments on his debut album “Like An Animal” being only 15 years old at the time. Two years after, and still living with his parents, he's gonna take what he calls indie RnB to some major British music festivals next Summer, where he has already been confirmed!
Follow Alfie here!
17. Zuzu
The multifaceted (singer, producer, director, actress and comic book illustrator), sci-fi enthusiast and Liverpool based artist Zuzu sounds like the next big thing of UK pop. After a year supporting many bands (Gerry Cinnamon, Yonaka and Catfish And The Bottlemen), alongside a sold out UK tour, you can bet you ́re gonna soon hear about her in 2020!
Discover more about Zuzu here!
18. Teepee
Dream Pop Indie-Folk band teepee first appeared on the Czech independent music scene in 2015. With a second album about to be released, this band coming from Pilsen, thanks to their mesmerizing performances and an exquisite sound, they have everything to boost and expand beyond Czech borders very soon. Compared to Bat for Lashes or the XX, they surely have a bright future ahead of them. They are also my favorite ones!
Follow teepee here!
19. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard
This four-piece band came to life around two years ago when they started playing local shows in Cardiff, their hometown. Today the band that self describes their style as “Double Denim Hopping” are following in the footsteps of Wales psych-pop greats with just a few tunes and a lot of attitude.
Follow them here!
20. Larkins
Indie beats with punchy and catchy melodies and big choruses drenched in synthesizers, Larkins are coming from Manchester and if you like bands like Blossoms, Chvrches or Imagine Dragons, you ́re gonna love them.
Discover more about Larkins here!
Follow the playlist on Spotify and listen to all these promising artists!
Cover photograph: Lily Moore captured by Phoebe Fox
