2020 was a great year for music and a saving grace for many as we struggled through lockdowns and tiered restrictions. So here’s to hoping 2021 is going to deliver the goods once more.
It was, of course, a strong year for the likes of Biffy Clyro, The 1975, The Cribs, Everything Everything and Blossoms. But we also saw the emergence of some newer names in the shape of The Orielles, The Howl & The Hum, Working Men’s Club and Vistas, all releasing brilliant albums last year.
So, as we look ahead to 2021 and what it could deliver musically, here are our predictions for some of the bands potentially in for a big 12 months…
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THE SNUTS
Get March 19th in your calendars as this is the day The Snuts will release their debut album, W.L. The Scots first caught our attention with the release of their Glasgow demo on Spotify, which was followed by hit after hit, building a strong following and creating a huge buzz ahead of the March release.
They have drawn huge daytime crowds at festivals such as TRNSMT already and have been a regular feature on the small to medium festival circuit. 2020 saw the boys soaring to the top of the iTunes chart with the brilliant single Elephants, as well as performing a cover of Summer in the City on a national Strongbow advert and going on to achieve every boyhood dream of making the FIFA soundtrack with That’s All It Is (FIFA 21).
This is undoubtedly going to be a massive year for the band!
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THE LATHUMS
A BBC Sound of 2021 nomination was only fitting for Wigan band, The Lathums, after fast becoming one of the most exciting names in indie music today. With bonafide hits already under their belt in the shape of Fight On, The Great Escape and I See Your Ghost, anticipation for a debut album release is building.
2022 will see the boys finally heading out on a European tour with Blossoms, and we may see them supporting the Stockport band even sooner at their huge Manchester Arena show, whenever that may be. The path ahead looks promising and any future success is fully deserved, so just how far can The Lathums go and will we hear new music this year?
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PALE WAVES
The most established name on our list is Pale Waves, and whilst we understand their breakthrough year has already been, we are predicting 2021 to be the year this band really takes off. The releases of Change, She’s My Religion and Easy have created a buzz ahead of February’s album release, Who Am I?.
So whilst My Mind Make Noises built an excellent platform for Pale Waves, the early signs suggest this isn’t a band resting on their laurels. Lead singer, Heather Baron-Gracie told NME “people change and evolve, and this album is me evolving”, so we can’t wait to hear it next month. Could album 2 see the band following in the footsteps of label friends The 1975, in elevating themselves on a global level?
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THE REYTONS
The Reytons have been on the rise for a few years now and have started this year as they mean to go on, following the release of new single Jealous Type. Known for their honest, relatable lyricism and rowdy live performances, there is something quite fresh and raw about this band, of the like we saw 15 years ago in their native South Yorkshire.
May Seriously Harm You and Others Around You is the name of the much anticipated EP release on February 19th, and if the latest release is anything to go by it won’t disappoint. Fingers crossed we get to see this band on their tour later this year, which includes a sold out O2 Academy Sheffield gig.
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THE LOTTERY WINNERS
After releasing a debut album followed by an isolation album in 2020, you’d forgive Leigh’s The Lottery Winners for taking it easy in 2021. However starting the year with a new single Start Again featuring the brilliant Frank Turner, as well as a viral Sea Shanty collaboration with Nickelback, it doesn’t seem as though they are ready to sit back and let the previous year sink in just yet.
The Lottery Winners have announced an upcoming EP release and gained plenty of fans in the world of radio, including XS Manchester and Radio X. Make sure you check out the new single and you can pre-order the EP now!
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THE MYSTERINES
The 2020 release of the Love’s Not Enough EP laid down the perfect platform for The Mysterines to build on in 2021. The Wirral three-piece have gained fans in Paul Weller and Radio X’s ‘most trusted man in music’, John Kennedy, who join The Coral’s James Skelly (producer of debut single Hormone).
Whilst the landscape of 2021 live music remains unclear, The Mysterines will certainly be hoping to take their new music out on tour at some point this year, with festival dates and headline shows in Leeds, York and Liverpool on the horizon.
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THE K’S
Earlestown band The K’s entered the first lockdown fresh from their biggest headline show to date at the O2 Ritz Manchester, just over a year to the day. This was followed up with the September single release, TV, so what can we expect from this promising indie band in 2021?
One thing we know for sure is that the April tour has been postponed, but that’s not to say we won’t see The K’s live this year, with the future of live music still uncertain. We can however, hope for some new music. So keep your eyes peeled, and for anyone new to the band make sure you check them out here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6DlKk9ibc9dCgvyNPGNXdH
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We’ll re-visit this post at the end of the year to see how accurate our predictions have been. But make no mistake, these are all bands worth investing some time in and getting behind, especially during these difficult times. Who knows, maybe you’ve just discovered your new favourite band!
