ALEX SPENCER
The Mancunian lad that oozes charisma, he had have a spot on the list purely based on how much he’s grown this year.
Alex’s down-to-earth and can-do attitude is something to be admired, for a lad of 18, he has the maturity and passion way beyond his years!
He’s released a lot of new music this year, played alongside some big names and sold out his debut headline tour, including the homecoming show at Gorilla in Manchester, which proves he’s got something special, we can’t wait to see what’s next!
CHECK OUT WHAT ALEX SPENCER IS ALL ABOUT HERE
LISSY TAYLOR
You have to respect anyone giving up their day job and going full time into music!
Lissy made that call and hasn’t looked back. Playing major festivals and touring relentlessly this year, and playing the RGM Tramlines Fringe stage.
Lissy has the drive and ambition to make it and its a pleasure to watch her power through.
Well done mate!
CHECK OUT LISSY TAYLOR ON HER SOCIAL MEDIA HERE
BABYBIRD
One of the most hardworking frontmen in the game, Stephen Jones continues to flood bandcamp with his solo work, and of course that of his band Babybird.
The band embarked on a UK tour which saw them support Echobelly.
Another hugely underrated band that deserve some recognition, not only for their classic albums, but the volume of newer work that they continue to produce.
If you need a starting point then may I suggest you listen to ‘Ugly Beautiful’ and go from there.
Never has a band been more than just ONE song.
Go listen, then go see them live next year, thank me later…
EXPLORE ALL THINGS BABYBIRD HERE
SHED SEVEN
Shed Seven in 2025 are living proof that longevity doesn’t have to mean limping politely into heritage-act territory. Instead of coasting on Chasing Rainbows nostalgia and endless Britpop bingo nights, It’s hard to top 2 number one albums in 2024 but in 2025 they have fed their massive fanbase stream of ace performances in 2025, hence why they make our list.
FIND ALL THINGS SHED SEVEN HERE
FINN FORSTER
Finn Forster has really brought his A game this year, elevating his profile by delivering charismatic performances and capitalising on a massive opportunity supporting Stereophonics on their arena tour this year, which has won over crowds and converted them into fans!
We’ve really seen him grow this year, cementing his presence as a rising force in the live circuit.
Gu on son!
FIND FINN FORSTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE
SHARON VAN ETTEN AND THE ATTACHMENT THEORY
What a fantastic year for Sharon Van Etten and The Attachment Theory!
Hailing from Brooklyn in New York, they’ve escaped to play shows all over the world this year, including Australia and New Zealand, as well as across the USA and Canada and right here in the UK, what an achievement!
Not only that, they did a gorgeous cover of “2000 miles” by The Pretenders for the “Oh What Fun” soundtrack and did it complete justice.
It looks like they have no plans of slowing down and you can catch them in the UK in 2026 alongside CMAT, so it won’t be long until they grace us with their presence again!
CHECK OUT SHARON VAN ETTEN AND THE ATTACHMENT THEORY HERE
PAUL HEATON
Firstly, what a bloody lovely man.
It might have been a quieter year compared to the last few for Paul, but he’s still be going, bringing the Heatongrad to many, which is a bloody good deed, even more so when he goes out of his way of giving back to the fans and local hospitality of every gig he plays, by putting money behind the bar in pubs nearby, what a gent!
This year, saw a huge gig at Bramall Lane in Sheffield , which sold out and had rave reviews, plus he’s been supporting current singing partner Rianne Downey in her solo career and also teasing that he’s writing more new music! Hopefully we’ll hear it in 2026…
FIND ALL THINGS HEATONGRAD HERE
LILY ALLEN
In what was generally a quiet year for Lily Allen (or so we thought), she then goes and drops a late album baring all…
Spoiler alert, she does not hold back.
West End Girl dropped in October, her fifth studio album and first album release in seven years, peaking at number 2 in the UK Album Chart.
The album has nods to her personal life, something that Allen has intertwined in her music in her past, but this felt like an act of power and got people talking, the shock factor alone puts her on the Top 100 list and we wonder if this is the start of a new chapter for Lily Allen.
FIND ALL THINGS LILY ALLEN HERE
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS
Another band that just never seems to stop touring, ever since their debut album dropping in 2007, they have released hit after hit, maintaining a loyal following, which has seen them pack out fields and tents at festivals and sell out numerous venues in 2025.
Alongside this, they’ve somehow had time to release new music and arrange a HUGE tour (which has basically already sold out!) in 2026 to celebrate 15 years of their second studio album “Everybody Wants To Be On TV”.
They have so much energy and bring such joy to whatever stage they appear on and it’s hard not to have a good time, they give a pure masterclass in the art of crowd interaction and participation, it should be studied!
They’re still going strong 18 years after their first album, but I have a very strong suspicion that they’re not done yet (thank god!).
CHECK OUT ALL THINGS SCOUTING FOR GIRLS HERE
MANDY, INDIANA
Mandy, Indiana are a force to be reckoned with, describing themselves as “an experimental band”, and let me say, they tell you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, they are not afraid to push the boundaries of genres, be playful, but also get out messages that others might shy away from, many of which are incredibly important.
Alongside that, their stage presence is quite literally electric, which is not to be missed.
They’re turning heads for all the right reasons, having released their second album “URGH”, with singles off the album getting multiple plays on Radio 6, as well as performing at a number of festivals!
Best of all? they’re off on a headline tour across the UK and Europe for 2026.
Mandy, Indiana are on fire and the flames are only going to get bigger, watch this space!
FIND ALL THINGS MANDY, INDIANA RIGHT HERE