Ones To Watch 2018
As always, to make a list of the Ones To Watch is quite difficult because it would be super long (it would be like 30) but I managed to reduce the list to 10 acts that you should keep an eye on in 2018!
BILLIE EILISH
15-year-old Billie Eilish is definitely one of the most exciting pop stars that I got to know a bit more this year. Her debut 8 track EP ‘don’t smile at me’, released at the end of the summer, is one of the most accomplished bodies of pop music to come from such a young talent. This year she’s performed live on James Corden as the part of the Apple Music One’s To Watch campaign, played her first ever headline show in London and from there played sold out shows across Europe and America, and found fans in all corners - including Charli xcx and Tove Lo. With tracks as good as Watch, and Copycat there’s nothing to stop Billie Eilish from total world domination next year.
JADE BIRD
19-year-old singer/songwriter Jade Bird released this year her debut EP
Something American which showcased her brilliantly realist songwriting and old-soul story-telling talent. Jade mixes 3 music genres
that are dear to me: pop, folk and country.
She’s already supported Stevie Nicks at Hyde Park, headlined a sold out Omeara in London, performed live on Stephen Colbert - always playing the tracks from her wonderful Something American EP that twist big themes of disillusionment, divorce, cheating and sorrow, told through the eyes of an independent-minded modern British teenager, who is as clued up on the past as she is determined to learn from its lessons.
SHY LUV
Shy Luv, the Manchester duo of artists Sam Knowles (aka Karma Kid) and Jake Norman (aka Armeria), have delivered this year super addictive and forward thinking psychedelic pop music via their debut EP Shock Horror and their most recent release Lungs. The duo have already amassed millions of streams on Spotify, supported SG Lewis, Dua Lipa and Foster The People on various tour dates, played their own debut headline show in London and enjoyed mass radio support from Radio 1, 6 Music, 1 Xtra and Capital Xtra. With their debut album due for release on Black Butter next year, Shy Luv are gearing up to take the world on an intoxicating sonic cruise of infectious and energetic psych-pop which, while drawing on influences from Talking Heads to LCD to Friendly Fires, at once feels distinctly and vitally of the moment.
LIV DAWSON
19-year-old Liv Dawson got me hooked with her affecting and effortlessly soulful songwriting. Signed to Method and having already collaborated with the likes of Disclosure, Salute and Tobias Jesso Jr, Liv toured the UK fresh from dates with Miguel, and in support of new single Painkiller. Slowly growing in confidence from an unlikely musical background (her family run the local boxing gym), the growth of Liv Dawson suggests it’s always the quiet ones who pack the punch.
ARY
Portuguese alt/electro-rock outfit ARY blew me away with their single Anymore, released later this year. Lead singer Erika's raspy vocals are what drew me to the song which makes the band stand out from the rest and appeal to both mainstream pop and rock fans. Their impeccable touch of creating infectious melodies packed by hard hitting drums and heavy guitars makes me look forward for what they have to gift us in 2018. The fact that they are from my country makes me even more excited for them and I hope they get the success they deserve!
JAKE THOMAS TURNBULL
North East born and London based singer-songwriter Jake Thomas Turnbull took the long hard route to stardom, constantly playing live shows and gaining more recognition whilst simultaneously staying in hostels and crashing round friends places and studying towards a degree. Breaking into the bustling music scene of London, he has gone on to release a myriad of great folk-pop including this year’s Fire. Another highlight of 2017 was Turnbull’s successful gig at Proud Camden in London. 2018 is sure to be a momentous year for the rising artist as he prepares to release much more music in the year, starting with two new tracks that are raring to go. Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen in Shoreditch will also host Turnbull, who plays a gig at the venue on February 2nd.
THE JACKS
Southern California four piece The Jacks have proved their incredible talent to deliver awesome music with the release of their gritty rock n' roll single Wings.
Heavily influenced by the British Invasion of the 1960s and 70s, The Jacks have developed a rare sound that is unruly, bold, and hard to be ignored. The Jacks stand by their claim, We are not a rock band, we are a rock n’ roll band. From their live shows to their recording techniques, they keep integrity to who they are and how they believe their music should sound. The 4-piece doesn’t hide behind auto-tune, click tracks, or backing tracks, what you hear is what you get. The guys are set to release an EP in early 2018 and I am very excited to check out their new material!
Heavily influenced by the British Invasion of the 1960s and 70s, The Jacks have developed a rare sound that is unruly, bold, and hard to be ignored. The Jacks stand by their claim, We are not a rock band, we are a rock n’ roll band. From their live shows to their recording techniques, they keep integrity to who they are and how they believe their music should sound. The 4-piece doesn’t hide behind auto-tune, click tracks, or backing tracks, what you hear is what you get. The guys are set to release an EP in early 2018 and I am very excited to check out their new material!
BLOXX
Uxbridge 4-piece BLOXX signed their terrific guitar led grunge-pop to Chess Club earlier this year. A string of infectious singles such as Curtains and Coke have been played regularly across Radio 1 (Annie Mac, Huw Stephens, Mista Jam), X and Apple Music. This year they’ve toured with Sundara Karma and INHEAVEN, been Apple’s New Artist Of The Week and headlined their own shows across the country. Raw and unapologetic indie is the state of play from a band with all the potential to become the UK’s most exciting new prospects.
THE TATES
Welsh 5-piece band The Tates won me over with the release of their brightly infectious synth-pop tune Water via Libertino Records. They have a knack for crafting addictive music with hints of everyone from the 1975 and MGMT to Duran Duran and New Order. Gorgeous guitar riffs and addictive melodies are something that we can expect from them and I cannot wait for what they will deliver in 2018!
NOITA
Singer-songwriter Noita produces moody experimental R&B music characterised by her sultry yet fragile vocals that are often mixed with a vocoder and paired with atmospheric, ethereal and bassy productions. This year saw the 21-year-old release her debut EP Pink Noise which got critics buzzing!
In late 2017 Noita collaborated with German production duo Konsequence, lending her vocals to their track Hills off their Studio City EP. Having just released single Lie to Me, produced by Glass Face’s Dylan King, Noita is preparing the new track for early 2018, which precedes the arrival of sophomore EP effort Blood & Honey.