An Exciting Time Indeed (Indeed).

Look around you, can you see them? New bands and artists are everywhere in the UK. Isn't it wonderful!

The moment I wake up. Before I put on my makeup. I say a little hello to you. Hello dears. How are we all? That’s great to hear. But… can you feel that? That hum in the air, that presence just behind you? You know what it is? It’s excitement.

Yes exciting times are here cause you may (or may not), have noticed that there seems to be a lot of new and great bands/artists coming from these fair shores (and also Ireland). They’re stretching genre boundaries, winning over crowds, and steadily making themselves impossible to ignore.

So let’s get to know them, shall we? I’ve picked one track from each as your entry point—but do yourself a favour and dive into the rest of their catalogues. You don’t want to be the one who missed the chance to say, “I knew them before you did.”

Westside Cowboy - Shells

The band I’ve championed most since starting this page—and the one I’ll keep championing for a long time. They’ve just released their debut EP This Better Be Something Great, and it truly is. This track is a highlight: a devastating anthem I can’t wait to shout along with them in a dark room someday.

Melin Melyn - Promised Land

If you’re missing a bit of psychedelic country pop in your life, Melin Melyn has the cure. Promised Land is the perfect entry point—a ballad you can two-step to, glistening with charm and twang.

Fat Dog - Peace Song

Chances are you’ve already heard of these hounds—their rise has been a long time coming and is well deserved. But I wanted to single out this track from last year: hyper-sonic madness packed into a three-minute cage. It’s everything Fat Dog is, and more.

Nilufer Yanya - Where to Look

Another artist I’ve long championed, Nilüfer’s new EP Dancing Shoes is a quiet triumph. Her craft is something to behold and deserves far wider recognition. This track is a wondrous little taste of what she can do.

Gurriers - Des Goblin

Ireland produces post-punk like no other land and Gurriers are a prime example of this. Exemplars in creating noisy wonders you can pogo, mosh, or dance too.

Lambrini Girls - God’s Country

Riotous, impactful thrash punk from a band that, a few years ago, might never have reached the heights they’re hitting now. Their rise is a welcome sign the times may be a-changin’.

Opus Kink - St. Paul of the Tarantulas

An intriguing post-punk prospect from Brighton with three EPs already under their belt. A hive of genres and influences collide here—Latin, jazz, and spoken word blend together to create something weird and wonderful, just like this.

SPRINTS - Descartes

A staple of the Dublin punk scene, SPRINTS are on the cusp of releasing their sophomore album. On the basis of tracks like this, something special is coming.

BARSTAFF - Izzy

This song is a marvel. An indie pop track that will warmly nest itself in your mind, with a chorus you’ll know after a single refrain. Great songs feel like you’ve known them forever, even when you haven’t. This is one of them, and BARSTAFF could be a really fantastic band.

Men An Tol - Not Ideal

Sounding as if they’ve been transported straight from an ’80s Peel session and dropped into the present day to unleash gorgeous shoegaze. Get in quick with this one - they’ll be massive soon, and that’s a promise.

Man/Woman/Chainsaw - Adam/Steve

Taking influence from glorious art-punk pioneers Black Country, New Road, Man/Woman/Chainsaw (what a band name) revel in making pretty noise that thrives in chaos. To hear how that sounds—press play.

Heartworms - Extraordinary Wings

This list hasn’t included enough goth post-punk, so here’s a dose from Heartworms. The South London artist is quickly gathering fans for their impressive—and, speaking as a past viewer, slightly scary—live performances.

The Bug Club - Have U Ever Been 2 Wales?

Ive spoken about this track and band before but it deserves another shout out here and it is that brilliant, and they're a band that are quickly becoming a favourite.

Jasmine.4.t - Elephant

With a debut album produced by all three boygenius members and packed with stunningly arranged indie folk tracks, Jasmine 4.t has already arrived as something brilliantly complete.

Antony Szmierek - The Great Pyramid of Stockport

One of the most fun and exciting rising artists currently going. Antony Szmierek’s debut album Service Station At The End of The Universe is a party condensed into 40 minutes, capturing all the highs and lows that come with letting go.

Native James - BLOCK (RR)

A propulsive and confronting blend of hip-hop, grime and heavy metal, Native James will reach out through your speakers and send you crashing against a wall. A brilliant towering force is getting unleashed here.

mary in the junkyard - drains

Another irresistible slice of London post-punk from mary in the junkyard—this time picking their way through the streets that shaped them.

Girl Group - Shut Your Mouth (Sometimes)

Bedroom indie pop may have exploded during lockdown, but Girl Group prove it’s far from a pandemic fad. Lo-fi, playful, and never compromising to any genre convention.

MRCY - R.L.M

Hailing from different parts of the UK, MRCY came together to create soul in its purest form. Lead singer Kojo Degraft-Johnson’s voice sounds like it was crafted in gold.

Cortney Dixon - If You Love Somebody Don’t Fuck It Up

This artist from South Shields caught my attention when I stumbled into their BBC introducing set at Glastonbury. Clad in a neon blue and pink get up and hair I can only describe as “80s”. Cortney Dixon already had a catalogue of incredibly fun pop punk tracks that seem like future singalongs, waiting in the wings.

Here I give you a mere taste of all the excitement coming with these new artists and at a time where music scenes seem plagued by funding cuts, venue closures and noise complaints, it is truly heartening to see there are still those who haven’t been caught by the dismay. They are creating wonders and now it’s up to you to go support them. If you live near a local venue, go any random night of the week, you might discover something weird. Something challenging. Or your new favourite band.

Thanks ever so much for reading this and if you know any local bands who deserve some love, send them my way.