JOHNNY MARR
A year to behold for the Manchester legend.
Earlier in the year, he was honoured with a “Record Store Legend” title, including a plaque at Piccadilly Records in Manchester, he also released a live album from his sell-out show in London, which was a setlist mixed with solo material and The Smiths tunes, plus, collaborating with some big artists and announcing a big show at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester and a few gigs in the USA for 2026.
He’s earnt a well deserved spot on our Top 100 list this year!
CHECK OUT WHAT JOHNNY MARR IS UP TO ON HIS WEBSITE HERE
IDLEWILD
The band themselves has described 2025 as a “great, creative year” and we’re inclined to agree!
After a six-year hiatus, the band returned with their self-titled, tenth studio album, after working hard in the studio, it was a brilliant success, reaching No. 16 on the UK Albums Chart, an impressive number 3 on the Scottish Albums Chart, and it also performed strongly on independent and vinyl charts!
The band also went out on tour across the UK, with most venues selling out, plus some more intimate album release shows.
2026 has already seen the band announce them supporting My Chemical Romance in Glasgow, plus a couple of festival slots, so clearly, they’re not done yet, what a year!
Hayley caught up with Rod Jones of Idlewild for the RGM Podcast earlier this year, see what he had to say:
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SAM SCHERDEL
2025 is the year that Sam Scherdel meant business.
Starting the year with a hometown intimate show at Doncaster Little Theatre, the release of his EP “Meet Me On The Moon” was quite literally the beginning.
Sam has since gone on to play a number of shows at festivals and as support slots, embarking on his own headline tour in the autumn and a sell-out at the Doncaster Corn Exchange to end the year on a high.
Sam’s also released some stunning new tracks this year, with one of them “Somewhere in the Middle” going viral on Tiktok and opening up a whole new audience in the USA for Sam – I think 2026 could really be his year, well in!
CHECK OUT WHAT SAM SCHERDEL IS UP TO HERE
SELF ESTEEM
Self Esteem has really brought her A-game this year.
2025 saw the release of her third studio album “A Complicated Woman” which saw rave reviews for her bold songwriting and also really branching out and exploring her style, and doing it flawlessly.
Alongside this, Self-Esteem really brought out her theatrical talent, staging the album launch at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London, plus went on a headline tour across the UK and Ireland, playing some huge venues along the way.
Self Esteem has had a brilliant year and we’re here for it!
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FREDDIE HALKON
An artist who has made HUGE strides this year.
Freddie has played some iconic gigs and venues, including his own headliners and some impressive support gigs and festival slots, he turned a lot of heads in 2024 and that carried on throughout this year.
From headlining the Electric Carousel Stage at Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus, to packing out The Leadmill Tent at Tramlines, he’s had a brilliant year all round.
He’s also released some new music, with the debut EP “Shoulders of the World” coming out in late 2025, which gained Number 1 on the Official Breakers Chart, a HUGE achievement.
He’s got skill and passion way beyond his years and if 2025 is anything to go by, 2026 is sure to be even better for Freddie Halkon.
Here what Freddie had to say when he had a catch-up with Carl at Tramlines for the RGM Podcast:
FOLLOW FREDDIE HALKON’S PROGRESS HERE
KNEECAP
Coming fresh from their debut album last year, the Irish language rap trio have had one of the craziest years possible. Court cases, they’re outspoken but in a way that they stand up for what they believe in, they have became the most talked about set in recent Glastonbury history, plus they’ve sold out tours and well, allegedly, there’s been a 200% rise in Irish language studies from their influence.
Not a bad do for three lads from West Belfast.
KEEP UP WITH KNEECAPS ANTICS HERE
DIRTY BLONDE
This year has just proved how hard the industry can be for many, but also, how much work ethic Dirty Blonde has.
2025 has seen the release of new singles and an EP, which saw recognition from BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6, plus from F1! Having being featured in their raceday soundtracks and on their social media (as well as playing at Silverstone!).
Not only that, Dirty Blonde are not afraid to be honest, work hard and also, ask for help.
Earlier this year they were given the opportunity of a lifetime to hop across the pond and play some gigs in America, something that is ridiculously expensive.
It takes guts to ask for help, but they did it with such class, and well, they did it!
Getting over to America is huge and they’ve worked incredibly hard this year, so we welcome Dirty Blonde on our Top 100 list for 2025 – roll on next year!
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THE LOTTERY WINNERS
A busy one indeed for Wigan’s The Lottery Winners.
Their fourth studio album “KOKO” went to number one in the UK Album charts, making it their second, number one album.
They’ve had some incredible collaborations with the likes of Shed Seven, Reverend and the Makers and Frank Turner (to name a few!) – plus they went on their biggest headline tour yet, with many venues selling out.
Alongside that, they have supported Robbie Williams on his “Britpop” tour across the UK and Europe on most of his dates, that’s some doing!
They’ve also popped up at some of the biggest festivals in the country and announced a big headline hometown show for 2026, I think they’re due a rest, but I bet there’s more to come!
CHECK OUT WHAT THE LOTTERY WINNERS ARE UP TO HERE
THE K’S
Well, if you haven’t heard of the K’s, where have you been?!
The lads released their second studio album “Pretty On The Internet” which earnt them their first number 1 on the UK album chart on it’s debut, which is massive.
Alongside this, they’ve played some of the UK’s biggest festivals, (even going as far as revealing their UK Number 1 award on stage at Kendal Calling) played some iconic venues, gone on a headline tour across the UK and Europe, played a massive outdoor gig in Liverpool and generally just churning out live performances and new music, it’s incredibly admirable and I think it’s likely sparked more motivation in the lads.
CHECK OUT ALL THINGS THE K’S HERE
REVEREND AND THE MAKERS
Another band marking a big milestone, 20 years of Reverend and the Makers!
The Sheffield band have been grafting away in the studio, after the late release of “Late Night Phonecall” in 2024, it’s been followed up with the singles “Haircut” which featured actress Vicky McClure and “UFO” as well as “You Again” in collaboration with The Lottery Winners.
They’ve played some incredible festival slots, they know how to get a crowd bouncing, singing and dancing along!
But the biggie, was their 20-year anniversary special, at Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus in Sheffield, a sell-out, with thousands of us in that tent, singing, laughing, crying and having one big party.
Reverend and the Makers have a real knack for making any show feel incredibly intimate, which they went one step further, doing a mini-tour of social and working mens clubs in late 2025.
Across the year, they’ve made alot of effort with fans, with frontman Jon McClure still doing his famous acoustic number on the street outside post gig, meeting fans at pop-ups and generally being fantastic people, here’s to 2026 for Reverend and the Makers!
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