Just Music Reviews

Written by Pippa Dale

2025 has seen some incredibly exciting new bands burst onto the indie music scene and captivate audiences with rocking live shows, punchy EPs and the much-coveted essence of heartfelt music from the soul. So, 2026 promises to be one to remember as these upcoming bands breakthrough and even more names enter the scene and our listening rotations. So, in the spirit of supporting small artists, here are some incredible bands that you definitely don’t want to miss this year.

• The North

With their Spotify monthly listeners sky rocketing, this Leeds-based band has to be one of the most fresh- sounding, talented names to have blessed the scene recently. Their debut single Soundtrack your soul released in October 2024 saw the band’s first step to success. It’s catchy bassline courtesy of the band’s Macca Boyolan and beautifully executed guitar solo from the talented Kobi Griggs cements it as a track of such a quality, it’s no wonder the bands quick expanding fan base got hooked. By the Summer of 2025, their debut EP Blood Orange was released in its entirety. This 5-song journey cyclically encapsulates the energetic coolness of the band with their clever lyricism, impeccably cohesive playing and Billy Memphis’ unique voice setting them apart and proving themselves as one of the most captivating up and coming UK bands. The closing track Trainspotting showcases the band’s strong ability to create an incredible song not only musically, but with a poignant meaning, as it epitomises the feeling of nostalgia and looking back on life so well. It also sees the band’s drummer Sian Keates really shine with some incredible drum work, adding to the ambitious sound and feel of this release. This unforgettable EP is more than worth a listen. 2025 saw The North play some incredible shows, for example Live at Leeds, Truck Festival, open for bands such as Overpass, and their first sold out headline show in The Lending room, Leeds. So, its certain 2026 will see The North grow as more fans discover their innovative, addictive work. There are no confirmed tours or releases for the year, however they are playing at some notable festivals such as Kendall Calling and returning to Truck Festival in the summer. Their shows are as energetic and full of life as they get – you wouldn’t want to miss catching these guys in 2026.

• The Molotovs  

Brother and sister duo Issey & Matt Cartlidge started out busking on the streets of London in their teens. Now, bringing their unique stylish persona, crashing drums and massive riffs onto the post-punk rock scene, they have established themselves as one heck of a band. Now joined by drummer Noah Riley, their talent, iconic style and mass of trademark live performances full of pure rocker energy have put them up there as one of the most exhilarating UK bands of recent years. Their music appeals to all ages: the older generations who ‘remember it the first-time round’, and new fans stumbling across the wonderful world of post-punk rock music through this trailblazing band. Before even having an album or EP out, they opened for massive stars such as Iggy Pop, The Sex Pistols and Blondie, and praised by many in the industry. This mod-rocker duo released their first single More More More in March 2025 and have teased fans with more singles across the year such as the electric party of Today’s Gonna Be Our Day and the gigging anthem Rhythm of Yourself. Intrigued? Well, you’re in luck as this year is set to be a big one for these bleach-blonde rockers as their debut album Wasted on Youth releases late January, following their Wasted on Youth UK Tour beginning January 6th and ending just days before this coveted album release. Selling out renown grassroots venues, and with a whole host of incredible support acts, this tour will only increase the magnitude of their fame and no doubt give them heaps of wonderful opportunities, setting them up for a massive 2026 and beyond. 

• Basht.

Irish indie-rock band Basht. have brought back the 90s shoegaze sound with their catchy, intricate riffs, talented drum fills and incredible storytelling ability that make this addictive band so loveable. The 5 Irish lads Jack Leavely (Vocalist) Loius Christle (bassist) Sam Duffy (guitarist) and Luke O-Neill (drummer) emerged from Dublin’s indie-alternative/ post-punk scene, and have cultivated their sound so acutely, and mastered their art so well, resulting in this outstanding band. Their songs build-up in such a way that’s straight from the heart and full of pure emotion – its impossible not to be moved.  In the past couple of years, they have built their way up from their first EP Dirty White Lies released in 2024 and have established a loyal fan base who have inevitably fallen in love with their transcending, cathartic releases such as the much-loved gig-ready tune Gone Girl. Their second EP Bitter and Twisted was released early May and saw them ramp up a gear with faster, bigger and more rocking songs such as the title track Bitter and Twisted and the belter of an opening track Vain that grew their fanbase and solidified their band as a force to be reckoned with. 2026 will no doubt bring more success and love from fans as their UK and Ireland tour kicks off in March and with dates in Cork, Leeds, London, Bristol and many more. The high demand caused an additional Birmingham date to be added as well as a Cardiff venue upgrade, signalling their ever-growing success. While there are no confirmed releases for this year, there will be no doubt plenty of new songs played at each show for fans to excitedly soak up for the first time – even more reason to not miss the special art from this quartet of immense talent. 

• Keo

There’s a reason this band is on everyone’s lips this year – Keo have established their immense sound, raw emotion and musical talent right from the get-go and their enthusiastic fan base is expanding by the second. Two brothers, Finn & Conor Keogh, (Vocals/ Guitarist and bassist respectively) grew up in Portugal but moved to London to pursue music. There they met Oli Spackman (Drummer) and Jimmy Lanwern (Guitarist) and Keo was born. This indie-alternative band drew inluences from the 90s grunge era to create music that is both honouring and reminiscent of that sound but also new and exciting at the same time. Word of mouth has catapulted Keo into the spotlight and 2026 promises to see them explode. There is such a hype around Keo for many reasons: their raw, heartfelt lyricism, their moving yet rock-heavy guitar work and the way all of the bands components create an immersive experience that can be heard and felt so deeply. Yet there’s one thing they are most prominently known for – their insane live performances. The buzz around seeing Keo live can be more than understood upon a few listens of their gut-punch EP Sirens – hearing and feeling songs such as I lied, Amber and Hands live with the loving crowd singing and feeling every word is other-wordly. But their 5-song EP covers only a portion of the show. The real buzz comes from the excitement about the unreleased tracks that fans get to know and love from these incredible live performances, keeping fans coming back for more, and only builds the anticipation for future releases. Popular unreleased tracks such as Fly, Spaceman and Crow are met with just as much enthusiasm as the released tracks – just showing the pure love and dedication Keo fans possess. Keo had a momentous year with their successful sold out Autumn tour, among other live performances such as Live at Leeds Fest. 2026 promises even more for the band as their Spring Tour tickets met such extreme demand further dates were added and, perhaps most exciting of all, Keo secured a spot as a sub-headliner at Reading and Leeds 2026. This will no doubt sky-rocket Keo’s recognition as many more discover the unique and profound experience Keo has to offer with their music. It’s only up from here.

The list could go on and on, which just goes to show the wonderful age of music we are living through. And it’s just as important as ever to keep supporting up and coming bands through attending gigs and buying merch/physical releases – so we can keep the indie music industry alive and fruitful, and give as many bands as possible the chance to get their voices heard. If 2026 is anything like 2025 – it promises to be a great year for music.