We have wrapped our “Best Of” lists for 2024 and now it is time to look forward to the year ahead.
2025 will be a huge year for music as Oasis return for their comeback tour, but which grassroots artists at the other end of the scale could be set for a breakthrough?
In the past, we’ve had an impressive track record of predictions. The Snuts, The Lathums, Brooke Combe, Yard Act, The Royston Club, and this year’s Mercury Prize winners, English Teacher, are just some of the names that have made our annual “Ones to Watch” lists.
Focusing on northern UK artists here at Northern Chorus, we have compiled a list of 7 exciting artists we think could be in for a big 2025…
KEYSIDE
Their infectious single, “Runaway”, caught the attention of many in 2024, and the platform is now set for Liverpool indie band Keyside to enjoy a breakthrough 2025.
This starts with a support slot for Oasis and Happy Mondays’ supergroup The Mantra of Cosmos at their local Cavern Club this month; another desirable support slot following their appearance on Blossoms’ “Gary” tour in 2024.
Keyside are showing all the right signs and gaining all the right admirers to enjoy future success, and we can’t wait to see this band develop.
TTSSFU
Rising Manchester artist, TTSSFU (aka Tasmin Nicole Stephens), signed with Partisan Records in 2024 and is one of the city’s most hotly-tipped names at the minute.
The highly regarded record label is home to the likes of PJ Harvey, IDLES, and Cigarettes After Sex, so TTSSFU is in good company, and singles such as “I Hope You Die” and “Studio 54” show exactly why.
Having already performed at Green Man, Bristol Sounds, and Manchester Psych Fest, alongside support slots with Soccer Mommy, Mannequin Pussy, and English Teacher, the future looks bright.
BRòGEAL
With a sound combining Celtic folk with New York noughties indie, Falkirk‘s Brògeal‘s unique sound is beginning to capture the imaginations of music fans.
The Scottish group comprises a banjo, mandolin, and accordion; a fusion igniting a fresh energy into a saturated indie genre.
They released their debut EP, Dirt and Daydreams, under their own label, Craic Den, in 2023, and we are excited to see what 2025 has in store for the band.
JASMINE.4.T
It’s not a bad start to life in the music industry when a demo sent to Phoebe Bridgers results in being signed to the boygenius singer-songwriter’s label “Saddest Factory Records”.
But this is the story of Manchester‘s Jasmine.4.t, who even managed to feature Phoebe’s boygenius bandmate Julien Baker on their track “Skin on Skin”, which was also produced by the American band.
2019 saw Jasmine’s debut EP release with Worn Through, and this year sees the release of the highly anticipated debut album, “You Are The Morning”, out January 17th, so it promises to be a landmark year for Jasmine.
CHALK
Belfast-based post-punk trio Chalk are a force to be reckoned with. Bringing a sound comparable to Squid, Chalk fuse electronic and rock elements.
In March 2022, they released their debut single, “Them”, which garnered significant attention, including winning Steve Lamacq’s Roundtable on BBC 6 Music.
Their debut EP, Conditions, soon followed, and as their sound has matured in recent years, Chalk have rapidly become one the genre’s most exciting new names.
JACOB ALON
Fife singer-songwriter Jacob Alon is bringing the chilled indie pop vibes to 2025. With hints of Damien Rice and Jeff Buckley, Jacob’s soothing tones and introspective lyricism are making people sit up and take notice.
After learning piano at 9 picking up a guitar at 15, Jacob eventually moved to Edinburgh, where Alon’s performances across folk nights in the Scottish capital have already cemented a strong reputation in the local scene.
2024 saw the release Jacob’s debut single, “Fairy in a Bottle”, resulting in BBC Radio 6 Music airplay and a live performance on “Later… with Jools Holland”, so the stage is set for an even bigger 2025.
LUVCAT
Last but not least is the latest name to arise from the iconic musical hotspot of Liverpool. Luvcat (AKA Sophie Morgan) has already amassed millions of streams with a hauntingly good sound drawing comparisons to pop superstar Billie Eilish.
Morgan started out as an acoustic singer-songwriter before delving into the world of “Luvcat” to take on a darker, more theatrical style, influenced by the likes of The Cure and Nick Cave.
The sonic shift has worked wonders and 2025 looks set to be the year that Luvcat is propelled into music’s mainstream.
So there are our 7 shouts for “Ones to Watch in 2025”. We’ll revisit at the end of the year to see how accurate we were…
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