What a year it’s been, 2024 has brought a lot of fantastic new music, some brilliant gigs and festival lineups and more, but who from South Yorkshire has really stood out?
This is all personal opinion of course, but before we go on, special mention to two Sheffield bands who sadly disbanded this year, despite both of them selling out the Leadmill, releasing some great music and generally being fantastic, it was sad to see VIVAS and Matilda Shakes call it a day, I’m hoping this isn’t permanent, but they needed shouting about regardless!
Let’s crack on shall we?
10.
THE OUTCHARMS
Photo Credit: The Outcharms via Instagram
The Doncaster band has been around for some time and they get better each year, this year has also seen the addition of Jordan Thompson on the drums, which my opinion, has upped their game with his experience.
Aside from a switch around with the lineup, it has been a year of new music, plus selling out the small room at Leadmill, and iconic Doncaster venue The Leopard.
The lads have just announced their plans to play the Main Room at Leadmill in 2025, which is a massive achievement, their cheeky sense of humour, raw and emotional lyrics and indie twangs are seeing them climb and I think this isn’t the end of The Outcharms…
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9.
THE DENABY’S
Photo Credit: The Denaby’s via Instagram
Hailing from, you guessed it, Denaby in Doncaster, The Denaby’s have reached new heights in 2024, from supporting The Reytons during their album gig campaign, releasing new music, selling out Record Junkee in Sheffield and more importantly, selling out their stints at Leadmill.
“Talk of the Town”, “Can You Feel It” and “What Were You Trying To Say” are all impressive additions to their growing catalogue of music, and you can the lads have all got passion for what they do.
Another achievement for the lads is that they’ve been offered a slot at Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival, which is massive, they’re making their mark on the South Yorkshire music scene and I think there’s more to come..
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8.
DELILAH BON
Photo Credit: Delilah Bon via X (Twitter)
Delilah Bon has been climbing the ranks and given people something to talk about, but in the best way possible.
Originally from Barnsley, Delilah describes herself as a “Singer, Rapper, Screamer, Producer” and I am inclined to agree.
The sounds that Delilah produces are nothing short of fantastic, she has really put herself out there, from releasing new music, including a new album, to also campaigning for womens safety at gigs and well, in general, it’s important and she’s not afraid to say what needs to be said – be more Delilah Bon.
She also caught the attention of BBC Introducing’s Christian Carlisle and Emily Pilbeam who cover South and West Yorkshire, and was put on the BBC Introducing stage lineup for 2024 edition of Leeds Festival, something well deserved and quite frankly she absolutely smashed – AND a UK and European tour which is still ongoing, incredible stuff.
A trailblazer in the industry and I see even bigger and better things for her.
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7.
AT THE ARCADE
Photo Credit: At The Arcade via Instagram
At The Arcade is a indie-rock five-piece from Rotherham and they’ve had quite the year!
As well as releasing new music, they’ve played a string of shows across South Yorkshire, including Sheffield’s Network, Doncaster’s The Leopard and more.
Most notably, they brought in a stellar crowd and won the Mexborough Imperial’s annual Battle of the Bands competition – which had a dramatic conclusion (trust me I was there!) – but either way, they impressed the crowd, the judges and some notable figures in the music scene, which is impressive in itself.
Their live music is something to be listened to, their stage presence, fun crowd interaction alongside the tunes are something to be witnessed, I think great things are in store for these lads, and they have a fantastic foundation to build on.
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6.
HARRIET ROSE
Photo Credit: Harriet Rose via Instagram
Harriet Rose is a prime example of a hard-working artist, having released some fantastic music this year and played some iconic venues, Harriet is nothing short of an icon herself.
Originally from Sheffield, and spending time across South Yorkshire and Newcastle, If Harriet Rose is a name you don’t know, get to know.
Harriet says that her music style is influenced by a mix of “a mix of my dad’s youth and mine.” and she perfectly captures that nostalgic sound whilst also incorporating her own indie-americana twist on it.
Not only that, but Harriet has got an amazing attitude and work-ethic, it’s landed her slots at Tramlines and Rock’n’Roll Circus festivals this year, a slot at Rock’n’Roll circus in 2025 and supporting the Lottery Winners.
Not only that, Harriet has been in the studio with Ed Cosens of Reverend and the Makers fame, a big name and big presence, I think there’s more to come.
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5.
THE HUMAN LEAGUE
Photo Credit: The Human League via Facebook
Let’s take a slight trip back to the 80’s shall we? Well no need, because The Human League are well and truly back!
After announcing a European tour in 2023, it’s safe to say that they haven’t gone unnoticed – their tour has sold incredibly well, with the older nostalgic tunes as well as some of their newer stuff being performed seamlessly, if I do say so myself.
Plus, they were one of the Tramlines headliners for this year and having witnessed it from the photo pit, I was amazed – it was my first time seeing them and they absolutely blew me away.
The Human League is proof that good music doesn’t age, and seeing the Tramlines crowd belt out their tunes alongside was something special.
Their stage presence and props is also fantastic, aside from the fact they all always look so glamarous, Phil Oakey in particular uses the stage so well and whilst I’m usually big on crowd interaction, they did not need it, but of course, they did.
That performance alone was enough to earn them a spot on my list, but I suspect there is more to come from The Human League, they’re not done yet!
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4.
REVEREND AND THE MAKERS
Photo Credit: Reverend and the Makers via Facebook
Whilst it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster of a year for Reverend and the Makers, there are alot of positives to take from it too.
Frontman Jon McClure continues to champion new and upcoming artists, giving the opportunity to support and perform where possible at gigs, his pop-up shops and more.
Alongside that, he’s had a part in Day Fever, alongside his brother Chris McClure and in conjunction with Johnny Owen and Vicky McClure, the daytime party that has swept across the UK – whilst it started in 2023, it’s just built and built and is consistently selling out.
The main thing that has got Reverend and the Makers a place on this list – they’ve launched a campaign for Christmas Number one in aid of the Samaritans, a charity that is close to Jon McClure’s heart.
He doesn’t want anyone to feel lonely at Christmas and has been known to play some songs over Zoom for those who are feeling a bit down – which is a lovely thought.
The song in the running for Christmas number one is called “Late Night Phonecall” and is based on a true story between Jon and his wife/bandmate Laura, the song and music video is beautiful and the message behind it is really important.
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3.
SAM SCHERDEL
Photo Credit: Sam Scherdel via X (Twitter)
It’s been quite a year for Sam, releasing new music, playing some festivals plus announcing a tour for 2025.
Not only that, he’s released a cover of “Last Christmas” to go alongside his and Harri Larkin’s cover of “Fairytale of New York” – the versatality of Sam goes far and he’s got one of the best attitudes in the business in my opinion.
From busking in Camden, playing The Leopard in Doncaster, Gorilla Beer Hall in Mexborough and also the Tramlines Library stage (to name a few) – Sam has got better with every single performance and has the world at his feet.
Plus, he’s releasing “Meet Me On The Moon” in February 2025, with 6 tracks on – his first physical release in years.
Having seen Sam live a few times this year and hearing a couple of teases of what’s to come, I think 2025 is going to be even bigger.
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2.
THE ROSADOCS
Photo Credit: The Rosadocs via Facebook
What a blinder of a year for The Rosadocs.
In November 2023, I saw them in a sold out Sheffield City Hall Ballroom, which they absolutely smashed and I knew 2024 was going to be their year.
From collaborations with Sheffield Steelers, to some fantastic live performances, including supporting The Reytons at Clifton Park and new music, The Rosadocs have really turned it up a notch in 2024.
They’re clearly turning heads, with them being booked for the likes of Victorious Music Festival, Tramlines, Doncaster Music Festival and Rock’n’Roll Circus next year, among many others.
Plus, as announced at their killer show at The Octagon in Sheffield in November, the lads have been signed to ATC Live with Skelly Crook, which is a huge achievement and very well deserved.
Their performance at The Octagon in Sheffield was the best I’d seen them, and you could tell the lads were loving every minute of it – they’re a hard-working bunch and I feel like 2025 is when it all pays off for them!
You can read my full review of their Octagon gig here.
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And drumroll please for number 1…
1.
THE REYTONS
Photo Credit: The Reytons via Facebook
What an incredible year for the lads from Rotherham – not only did their third album “Ballad of a Bystander” reach number 2 in the charts (should have been number 1 but we move) – they’ve also been recognised under the “Welcome to Rotherham” signs, built on their successful YouTube series “Keeping Up With The Reytons” and most of all, put on an absolute show to 20,000 people in Clifton Park.
Not only that, their attitude and work-ethic is amazing and they make fantastic role models to aspiring young artists, and also helping to nurture their talent, as we’ve seen with the lads giving some time or support slots to the likes of Freddie Halkon, The Denaby’s and Revivalry.
Clifton Park in itself was on another level, I was incredibly lucky to witness it all that day and the love, flares of red smoke and people bouncing up and down to them was enough to take anyone’s breath away.
You can read the full review of the Clifton Park gig here.
A special mention also to the 5th Reyton, none other than Rich Goodwin, whilst he may not be on the main lineup, he is an absolute powerhouse, helping the creativity and crazy ideas come to life.
The Reytons have created not just fantastic music, but also a sense of community with their fans, which have led to fan groups “We’re All Reytons” and “The Greytons”, some of the members judging the Mexbrough Imperial’s Battle of the Bands competition – plus the campaign “Link of Limes” which sees two huge lime sculptures go around the UK raising money for Refuge UK, created by Raych Fletcher and Ian Cheslett.
A band for the people and I think it’s only going to get bigger for them – as the fans all say “We’re All Reytons Aren’t We?”
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