4 of the Most Iconic New Bands in the UK Right Now
The United Kingdom’s music industry remains a fundamental piece in history. If over the years, different musical movements have arisen, their cities have been accomplices of all of them, supporting the birth of bands and artists that — to this day — are part of history.
It would be tough to know what we would be without them since their influences have made it possible to form new generations that have learned and — above all — grown with their hits as a soundtrack.
In every corner of their cities, there is someone with a guitar in their hands, creating music or giving voice to new songs. The UK is never silent. Although sometimes only half of their groups arrive in the rest of Europe, they don’t stop; they keep dreaming and keep creating so that — someday — their music doesn’t understand borders.
Here is a small selection of the artists and bands that are captivating British audiences. Many of them have already collapsed all those borders and have travelled theatres beyond the UK.
1. Miccoli
The new age of British indie culture continues to bring a haven of bands, redefining the standards and currently, the flagbearer of UK Indie Pop is Miccoli. The group consists of siblings: twin brothers Adriano Miccoli (vocal and acoustic/electric guitar) Alessio Miccoli (piano, vocal, and acoustic guitar) and sister Francesca Miccoli (vocal, piano, and harmonica).
Rising all the way from Birmingham and now to London, Miccoli took a fresh approach towards their sound and although they are labeled as an Indie/Alternative Pop, they have explored beyond horizons to define their music. In the UK, not many music groups have explored beyond their comfort zones. In 2018, the legendary band and the most iconic representation of Indie Rock and Indie Pop, the Arctic Monkeys brought a completely different sound. A fresh take and shift from “leather jackets” towards eclectic sounds and incorporating the piano.
Same can be said of this young group, Miccoli. They are unique and they are all siblings, who maintain the same vocal frequencies and vocal arrangements. Listeners of Miccoli are greatly appealed to the unique aspect of their sound, bringing a single vocal stream. Their debut album, “Arrhythmia” was produced in 2020 and continues to rake in hits on platforms like Spotify.
What can we expect?
An extremely identifiable sound. Freddie Mercury’s vocal always meant it is Queen on the Jukebox. The unique and testament sound of Miccoli always clicks, and you can instantly recognize them. The band carries an altogether creative persona, which is well exemplified in intricate aspects of songwriting, music production, photography, and art direction of their work and music videos. With that being said, we can fully affirm that Miccoli functions as a full-fledged record label in their domain.
2. Rat Boy
Jordan Cardy, better known by his pseudonym, Rat Boy, is one of the most popular young people in the UK. He started by hanging his demos on the Soundcloud platform until one day, Drew McConnell — a member of Babyshambles and bassist of Liam Gallagher on his current tour saw the talent that the young man had and helped him enter the music industry.
In 2015 he signed with the Parlophone record label and had since been named “Favourite Artist of English Broadcasters” and awarded by the NME as ‘Best New Artist 2016’. This 2017 he has returned to repeat at the Reading & Leeds festival after his debut there in 2016.
What can we expect?
Scum (2017), their debut album influences Jamie T and Beastie Boys. An album full of indie rock and hip-hop.
3. Blossoms
Tom Ogden, Charlie Salt, Josh Dewhurst, Joe Donowan, and Myles Kellock formed Blossoms in 2013 in Manchester. They started bowling to make themselves known until they decided to quit their jobs and dedicate themselves professionally to music. After giving concerts in different cities in the United Kingdom, they began to be included in some festivals in the country.
In 2015 they opened for The Courteeners at their concert in Manchester, where they also shared the stage with The Charlatans and Cabbage. The BBC selected them in its Sound Of 2016 poll, which lists the year’s best artists. This year they have also gone through the NOS Alive, the BBK or Reading & Leeds, and in October, they will perform with The Big Moon, George Ezra, and Nao at the event organized by the BBC, Introducing Live, on its 10th anniversary. And last but not least — in this case, it’s very literal — in August of this year, they were nominated for the Mercury Music Prize for their self-titled 2016 album.
What can we expect?
Their debut album, Blossoms (2016), is full of tracks with electric riffs and psychedelic pop-rock. Although the influences of Arctic Monkeys or Teenage Fanclub are appreciated, on several occasions, they have declared that ABBA has been one of their greatest sources of inspiration, and they are evident debtors of the new wave more new romantic and Duran Duran.
4. The Sherlocks
They are from a small town called Bolton on Dearne — located 30 minutes from Sheffield. Although for them it is easier to say that they are from the city where groups like Pulp or Arctic Monkeys have come from. The band comprises two pairs of brothers: Kiaran and Brandon Crook, along with Andy and Josh Davidson.
They debuted in 2014 with their single “Live for the Moment” and managed to captivate a large British audience. And, after playing non-stop in different venues around the country, the group has achieved a certain reputation that has led them to play at festivals such as Reading & Leeds — where they debuted in 2015 — the American SXSW 2016. They have also had the opportunity to open for bands like The Libertines on their UK tour and Leon’s Kings at their concert at the Sheffield Arena.
What can we expect?
Many claim that they are the Arctic Monkeys’ successors, something outrageous but perhaps logical considering that they bear many similarities with them. The only sure thing is that we are in front of a rock band full of energy and that has made good use of its influences.
