Emerging Artists: Who's the Next Big Thing in the Music Industry?

As the indie scene is growing each day, it is hard to decipher who's going to be the next big thing. 

Artists like Danny Mellin, Harry Lyon, Freddie Halkon, The Kites, Arkayla, M60, The Rolling People, and The Guest List all show the true spirit of indie music and are definitely worth a listen. Although these names may not have made every playlist just yet, they are definitely making a buzz around their names, due to pure talent, passion, and their commitment to creating music that is relatable and catchy.  

Danny Mellin at The Deaf Institute taken by Darcey Bates-Wilkinson

Their authentic sounds make them stand out amongst the crowd. Viral moments can make or break careers in the modern world so not just having a gimmick to follow within your band is a positive as people will recognise authenticity. The raw honesty in Danny Mellin’s lyrics and the high-energy, guitar-driven performances of The Rolling People highlight the individuality these artists have.  

Look at Harry Lyon, he is a young artist with a small number of monthly listeners. He has an impressive stage presence alongside his indie music charm. His tracks feel and show the idea of late-night conversations and show levels of vulnerability and realness. 

Harry Lyon at The Deaf Institute taken by Darcey Bates-Wilkinson

Artists such as Freddie Halkon use their music to tell more of a story, they feel personal and relatable. He is slowly gaining momentum and becoming more known by the day, he is young and has his whole music future ahead of him.  

A number of bands including The Kites and Arkayla, bring new exciting flavours to the scene. Their soaring choruses and energy could be something to look out for at future festivals, their music is powerful and easily echos already. There is a clear British rock influence throughout their music, but they approach it in a completely modern way and develop their own style.  

On the other end of the indie music spectrum, we have groups like The Rolling People, M60 and The Guest List using indie rock with fresh energy and modern influence. Their songs are perfect if you want to have a dance, jump around a bit, especially in a sweaty venue with the crowd belting out the songs back at them. They bring back the community within a crowd everyone is there for a good time and to enjoy themselves which is the reason why many fall in love with music in the first place.  

What's so special about these artists you may ask. Well, they're just starting out, yes, they may have been going for a while, however they are truly making a name for themselves now. Every release they do, every gig they play, every interaction they make, they grow more and more. Spotify, TikTok, and BBC introducing have helped artists like this be able to have a chance to become successful within the music scene, giving emerging talent a shot at reaching new audiences without needing a major label to back them.  

None of these artists are chasing the trends, they are doing exactly what feels right for them.

Everything they create matters to them as artists, and along the way they are creating genuine connections with those fans who have been early to find out how amazing they are. It would not surprise me if we saw one or more of these artists explode in the next year. 

So, if you're a music geek like me looking for who's going to be the next “It” artists, don't go endlessly scrolling through the charts. Dig that tiny bit deeper, look at who's supporting who, who the big artists follow on social media, and who is slowly showing up in your feed. You never know you may just find your new favourite artist before the indie lovers find them too.  

Which artist do you think is worth watching?

Is your lifestyle indie?