Artists of the Year - 2023

Artists to Watch 2023

After initiating our largest-ever artist showcase award programme last Spring, IMPALA’S “100 Artists to Watch” in partnership with YouTube returns in 2023 with a bright selection of emerging talent from across the European independent music sector. “100 Artists to Watch” puts the spotlight on key independent artists across Europe. A new set of participating artist will be announced each Spring. Members are free to propose artists based on various factors such as diversity and innovation, as well as commercial success.

IMPALA’s 2023 Spring list includes artists from 30 different countries and features more than 35 music genres, from R&B to Drill, Folk to Electronic, Pop to Post-Punk. There are countless artists to listen to and copious amounts of independent record labels to discover; with a total 100 European independent artists to look out for this year.

Hit play to embark on an amazing musical journey here and discover the complete list of artists below.

Click to read our statement about the launch.

Discover all the 100 Artists to Watch on the following YouTube playlist, or check out our genre playlists instead:

Fresh on the Brussels scene with rave reviews across Europe, Ada Oda (62TV Records) delivers post-punk arrogance and classic romantic Italian pop. In 2020, Cesar Laloux met Victoria Barracato who was tasked with singing Laloux’s Dutch lyrics into Italian. They are joined by Marc Pirard (bass), Alex De Bueuger (guitar) and Aurélien Gainetdinoff (guitar) to release debut album 'Un Amore Debole'.

ALFA (A1 ENTERTAINMENT SPA) is a pop artist from Genoa, Italy. His 2019 song 'Cin Cin' has generated over 95 million streams on Spotify winning him a triple platinum award. In 2020, he was nominated for an Italian ‘Nastri d'Argento’ film award on the movie 'Sul Più Bello' for his soundtrack. Last September, ALFA collaborated with Rosa Linn on the Italian version of worldwide mega-sensation hit 'SNAP'.

Amna Alajbegović (IDJTunes) is a Bosnian artist who was born in Austria. She is best known for winning the first season of IDJShow, which earned her an exclusive record deal with IDJTunes. In the past year, Amna has accumulated over 50 million streams on digital platforms. With her talent, stage presence and dedication to her craft, she is sure to continue making waves in the music world.

Antoon (Dreamteam Music / Cloud 9 Recordings) is a Dutch singer and Dream Team Music’s first ever signed artist. With his unique blend of sounds, Antoon had a first taste of success with the release of “Hyperventilatie” which became viral on TikTok and rapidly turned into a platinum hit. Now, with a first album in the books and a flurry of singles, his fans are chanting his name even louder.

Musician and composer Antti Paalanen (Rockadillo Records / Westpark Music) has been long prominent in Finnish contemporary folk music. Paalanen makes his music on the bisonoric (diatonic) accordion. With this he employs an organic performance style with new techniques and expressive sonorities that expands the potential of the instrument to embrace a variety of genres.

The French collective Astéréotypie (Air Rytmo) is an educational and artistic project of "spoken words" involving young autistic artists Yohann, Stanislas, Aurélien, Claire and Félix. They met in 2010 at a writing and poetry workshop in the Paris region. Astéréotypie multiplies atypical lyrics and lunar phrasing with an off-beat tone to form an energetic post-punk which catches the ear.

Batbait (Irascible Records) are an all-female band from Switzerland performing edgy punk rock with strumming guitars, slacker vocals and furious build-ups. Sometimes scratchy and distorted, sometimes joyfully floating, their debut album “Dirty Clothes” released in 2022, they brought upon the world a mix of indie and punk, garage rock and psychedelic pop with a 60s touch; and the world liked it.

Batu Akdeniz (Garaj) is a Turkish rock'n'roll star from Ankara. His solo career since 2018 has amassed over 50 million streams. In 2023, he will release 2 songs with legendary drummer, Simon Kirke of 'Free' and 'Bad Company' as part of a 2021 documentary about Batu playing with his childhood hero. He also released his new single 'sevmişim boşuna', a soft power-ballad with a poignant outro solo.

The Belgian band Be Irving (Green L.F. ANT Records) produce indie, pop-rock and synth music that experiments with samples and field recordings from everyday life. The band are distinctive for their creative use of stomp boxes, vocal harmonies and classical guitars to yield a fresh and intensive sound. They mark 2023 with their first full album 'Gap Ra'.

Bēdu Brāļi (Frida Records) are a post-punk trio from Riga, Latvia. Combining psychedelic guitars, kraut-rock inspired bass and pacey beats, they deliver an energetic yet melancholic avant-garde musical experience. Their debut album 'DUENDE' gained 'Best Rock Album' in the Latvian music awards, 'Zelta Mikrofons 2022'. It is celebrated as an emotional escalation about the irony and isolation of modern life.

Bedford Falls (1478437 Records DK) are a Georgian indie-rock band mixing acoustic and electronic sounds. They belong to a post-soviet generation, growing up in a country torn by war, poverty and political turmoil. By 2023, they have released 6 singles, 1 EP and 2 albums named 'This Is Your House' and 'Selected Works, Vol. 01'. Both albums paint a dreamscape of upbeat melodies and playful lyrics.

Bipolar Feminin (Numavi Records / Buback Tonträger) are an Austrian band centred on front woman Leni Ulrich, who is full of rage and love on stage. Accompanied by Jakob Brejcha (guitar), Samuel Reisenbichler (drums) and Max Ulrich (bass), they create a form of rock, punk and pop. The first single from this year's album "Matrose" is a heartbreak song in hope to to break free from toxic structures.

BOKKA [PIAS] are an anonymous phenomenon from the Polish electronic scene. Formed in 2013, they have 4 acclaimed albums with 2 nominations for the Fryderyki Polish recording industry awards. In 2022, BOKKA returned in a completely new guise, presenting the mysterious and apocalyptic album "Blood Moon", which takes the listener on a cinematic, dark journey to the end of the world.

Black Sea Dahu (Mouthwatering Records) are an indie-folk band consisting of Janine Cathrein and the gang of talented musical cohorts Vera, Simon, Nick, Ramon, Pascal & Paul from Zurich. After their critically acclaimed album “White Creatures” was released in 2018, their second album “I Am My Mother" which was only recorded in 23 days has taken their reputation to new levels of prestige in 2022.

Cala Vento (Cooperativa Montgrí SCCL) is a rara avis inside the spanish music scene. It’s a guitar and drums duo which can sound both like a raging 5-member band or an intimate singer-songwriter performance in the middle of the street. With their new songs “Equilibrio”, “Casa Linda”, “Ferrari” and “Conmigo”, they’ve been teasing the arrival of their fourth album – coming to you in April 2023.

Swiss Brother/sister combo Citron Citron (Bongo Joe Records) is the new revelation of the Geneva alternative scene. Their first album 'Chagrin Bleu' explores the melancholy of the night and the joy of a flight under the sun. With transcendent refrains, synthetic laments carried by groove box-like rhythms with romantic melodies, they border the genres of chamber pop, medieval chants and ambient.

The Helsinki band Cyan Kicks (Ranka Kustannus) are known for unconventional rock music that is collaborative, outward-looking and forward-thinking. In their music, they combine different genres into their own distinctive style of modern rock that can shift from completely electronic sound to hard rock. In 2023, the band will begin their 'I Never Said 4ever' album release tour.

Hungarian rapper Kolos Halász, known as Co Lee (Blunt Shelter Records) uses unique jazzy rhythm patterns and innovative lyricism in his music to represent the creativity of the emerging Hungarian hip hop scene. His soft flow and lofi sound can be distinctly heard in the self-released single 'Szentely', with artists Kilibri and Blaize. In 2022, Co Lee successfully introduced his first album 'Air' to the scene.

Danai Nielsen (United We Fly) is a Greek/Danish dream-pop, synth-based composer and singer, who uses voice FX to create musical dialogues between male and female alter ego personas. After her colourful 2021 debut album ‘Who Are They’, 2023 sees her much anticipated EP, ‘Off We Go’ released in collaboration with producer Kill Emil.

Swedish twin duo, Deki Alem (Self-released) energetically convey purity and sensitive masculinity by colourfullly mixing subgenres such as drum & bass, dance, grunge and rap in a harmonious way. After the acclaimed 2022 debut EP 'Among Heads', the brothers have been a supporting act for Gorillaz and toured in Amsterdam, London & Paris. In 2023 Deki Alem will release their sophomore EP ‘Fluent Stutter’.

Dina Jashari (self-released) is a singer-songwriter and producer from Macedonia. She pours her entire being and experiences into her songwriting, effortlessly flowing through pop and neo-soul with dreamy harmonies, emotional lyrics and fresh beats. In 2022, after her single 'Dosada', Dina was awarded with the 'Milan Mladenovic’ award, gaining praise from renowned music minds in the region.

Dream People (self-released) are an indie pop rock band from Lisbon, Portugal. They are Francisco Taveira (voice), Nuno Ribeiro (guitar), João Garcia (bass) and Diogo Teixeira de Abreu (drums). With a new album and tour expected in 2024, their music expresses the constant search for human connection and universality in which they interpret and influence our dreams.

Edo Maajka (Dallas Records) was born in Brčko (Bosnia) in 1978. He came to Croatia as a refugee in 1992 and took interest in hip-hop from rap-battling at the age of 15. His songs talk about social injustice, love, hate, war, nationalism, people, graffiti all in the manner of storytelling. His 7th latest album ‘Moćno’ includes remarkable names from the regional music scene.

French-Swiss singer Emilie Zoé (Hummus Records) has a voice which immediately stands out. Sometimes soft, sometimes rough, always powerful, it has been compared to the likes of PJ Harvey or Cat Power. Building on the success of two albums, Emilie attacked 2022 with the EP “Hello Future Me”, which won the IndieSuisse Award for best album of the year.

Fast Animals and Slow Kids (Woodworm Publishing Italia) are an Italian rock band from Perugia. Born in 2008, they are formed by 4 high-school friends Aimone Romizi, Alessandro Guercini, Alessio Mingoli and Jacopo Gigliotti. They have released 6 studio albums since, with the latest “È Già Domani” contributing to them winning the 'Artist Of The Year' prize at the 2021 Rockol Awards.

FLEMMING (8ball Music) is a Dutch artist making Dutch-language pop with witty lyrics. He’s inspired by Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, John Mayer and others, but his sound remains his own. From pop to ballads, his debut album “Flemming” shows the singer’s versatility. FLEMMING is bringing Dutch-pop beyond borders, and his latest release “Paracetamol” shows he’s only getting started.

Frantic Amber (GRM Music Group) are a female melodic Death metal band based in Stockholm. Their evergrowing international fanbase has grown exponentially since they formed in 2010, with attendances up to 60,000 people at the Festival Rock Al Parque In Columbia. 2023 sees them release their 3rd full length album and continuing their frantic touring.

Freakin’ Disco (Launching Gagarin Records and Management) is a Hungarian band, influenced by electronic music and contemporary jazz. The band plays live instrumental electronic music, which has been described as 'deep, psychedelic and groovy'. Freakin' Disco is currently working on their third album 'TOTEM' featuring multi-Grammy Award winner Steve Dub.

Garbanotas (self-released) are a long-haired Lithuanian guitar band bringing love to audiences all over Europe since 2012. Their neo-psychedelic sound drifts around the best parts of the 60's, 70's and 80's, floating through hippy California with some Baltic ballad sprinkles to help trigger deeper, darker parts of the brain. Their 2023 album 'Kūnas Dangaus' details human existence with heavy yet hazy melodies.

Singer-songwriter, composer, and producer from Turkey, Gaye Su Akyol (Dunganga Records / Glitterbeat Records) brings together the contrasts of traditional Anatolian music, classical Turkish music, psychedelia, surf rock and post-punk. She has been breaking borders across Europe since 2014 and is now back with 'Anadolu Ejderi', her first full-length release in 4 years.

Spanish all girl indie band Ginebras (Vanana Records) have created their own pop universe with autobiographical lyrics that convey their own humour and good vibes. Hailing from all 4 corners of Spain, 2023 is the year the Quartet's long-awaited second album is released with four singles 'Bailando Mal', 'Desastre De Persona', 'Alex Turner' and 'Ansiedad' already advanced.

The award winning Danish band Girls in Airports (Kaja Records) combine jazz, indie, and urban folk into a unique expression of heart stirring, melody-laden hooks and dance-friendly rhythms. They are one of the most vital experimental ensembles in Europe with a coherent and unique sound that is both absorbing and powerfully emotive. In 2023, they released their first album as a quartet.

Goldband (Goldband / LAB Music) is a pop band from the Hague. With a diverse palette of songs and performances full of bang, they’re taking Dutch pop to the next stage to conquer the hearts of fans. This has led them to earn the Popprijs 2022 at Eurosonic recognising the artist with the biggest impact on Dutch pop music. Their latest work is bouncy beat single 'Stiekem' with female pop sensation Maan.

French beat-maker Guts (Heavenly Sweetness) originally devoted his time into trimming and chopping soundtracks and samples to create hip-hop loops. Since 2016, his work has creatively shifted into the afro-funk, jazz, soul and reggae sound. His latest album 'Estrellas', is a 17 track collaborative project that aligns Afro-Cuban, Senegalese and French musicians to pay homage to the diversity of musical roots.

Haiku Garden (Kapa Records) are the pioneers of the Slovenian shoegaze scene, who through constant sonic redefinition and evolution mold the idea of post-rock creativity. As shown in their 2022 release, their second album ‘Loose Contacts / Tense Present’. While reaping great critical acclaim for their guitar-driven studio work, they‘re also known for their astonishing live performances.

Hungarian artist iamyank (Corner Art Records) always takes new, unexpected turns with his music. In between light and dark ambient, from electronica through to classical compositions, his music creates complicated yet dense soundscapes which encapsulates listeners deep thoughts. This can be heard in his second full length solo album “Láttam a jövőt meghalni”, released in 2022.

ISÁK (Little Big Music / Caroline International) has been a hype for Sámi music in Norway for a long time. Renowned for its energetic live shows and intense presence, their new and exciting fusion of traditional yoik, urban synths and a text universe that combines both English and Sami continues to push the genre's limits. In 2023, they are back with their latest single 'Mihkkalii'.

Ivan Grobenski (Intek Music) is one of Croatia's most versatile and creative musicians. His ability to make music in different genres keeps him unpredictable, intriguing, and fresh. Grobenski went from a crooning and blues aficionado to a full-blown contemporary pop act. His latest soul-infused funk album 'Apocalipstick' tackles the delicately unnerving present and the destructive future to behold.

Jerry Heil (Secret Service) is a singer-songwriter from Ukraine who launched her career through her YouTube channel in 2012. She released her single ‘Ochrana, otmena’ in 2019 and immediately scored her very first hit in the Ukrainian charts, with her two albums in 2021. In 2023, she won the Public Choice Award at the EU-funded Music Moves Europe Awards during Eurosonic in Groningen.

Raised in Walthamstow, London, Jeshi (Because Music), who features in Mixmag and Clash Magazine’s ‘Tips For 2022’, consistently brings captivating, candid social commentary in his lyrics to solidify his status as one of UK rap’s most distinctive and exciting voices. His debut album ‘Universal Credit’, comes from a place of honesty and heart as he is unafraid to say what makes him uncomfortable.

Joker Out (Shagadelic Records) are Slovenian indie rock band. Their highly attended shows are filled with explosive grooves and catchy melodies, that fans passionately sing along to. After 2 consecutive Artist of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022, the band released their highly anticipated studio album 'Demoni' last Autumn, with follow up single shagadelic 'Carpe Diem' out in February 2023.

Serbian "anti-rock" band Klotljudi (Krava 22) combine poetry and political philosophy into their retro style. With a nod to Belgrade’s new wave era and admiration for the London sound of the past decade, their debut album 'Fašizam ljubavi' (Fascism of Love) was followed by a 'new-Byzantine' tour in October 2022. This took the band's eccentric live shows to 13 European cities across 7 countries.

Finnish genre chameleon Knife Girl (Soliti/Playground Music) has been releasing music under different guises since 2013. The 21-year-old trans artist Lili Aslo has 5 EP's under her belt, and has collected more than 12 million listeners on various streaming services. Her latest adventurous and sonic album 'Uniform' comes off the back of being nominated as "newcomer of the year" at Finland's Indie Awards.

Kristof (Inner Ear) is an Athens based performer and musician who studied piano and acting at the Drama School of the Athens Conservatoire. A combination of avant-pop and contemporary-classic, Kristof’s music has elements of German cabaret, combining voice, piano, synth sound and storytelling. “Psychagogia” is Kristof’s first album in Greek.

Born and based in Ladbroke Grove, Lava La Rue (Marathon Artists) lives and breathes West London. For the 22-year-old musician, it's a source of encouragement and inspiration, as her loose-limbed debut single 'Widdit' (2018) states “City was a mother to me”. After latest singles 'High Fidelity' and 'Vest & Boxers' in 2022, she’s firmly established as a fiercely independent, multi-hyphenate talent.

Prolific Prague-based artist Lazer Viking (MUSICRAFT) is best known for his unapologetically honest storytelling style, currently exploring a sound heavy on synth-pop hooks, deconstructed Italo-disco basslines and proto-techno repetitiveness. Lazer Viking is a true genre chameleon honing his craft in tragic, yet devastatingly catchy songwriting with an anxious edge of post-punk flair.

Little Winter (Celebration Records) are a Danish Indie-pop group of long-time friends Nikolay Ryan, Alexander Mirz, Nikolaj Sodemann Johansen, Daniel Clifton and Martin Welling from Aarhus. Their debut album 'Wonderlost' joyously deconstructs the indie pop genre and rebuilds it with steamy synthesizers, beautiful choir arrangements, and dreamy hooks that sink deep into ears and minds.

Lomepal (Pinèale), is a French songwriter and rapper from Paris, taking the rap scene by storm since 2013. After two platinum albums earning him several award nominations, he is back with 'Mauvais Ordre'. His third album released in September 2022 is already gold-certified and is followed with further success in selling out more than 225,000 headline live tickets in 3 months.

Loverman (PIAS) is the nom de plume of Brussels based singer-songwriter James De Graef. He is a rare breed, who reigns the stage with only a guitar and his spellbinding voice. After releasing two haunting yet beautiful singles 'Into The Night' and 'Parlay', Loverman was invited to support Tamino's European tour of Paris, Berlin, Cologne, London and Amsterdam in December 2022.

Danish singer Lucky Lo (Tambourhinoceros) released her debut album 'Supercarry' in March 2022 and performed over 70 shows that year alone. 'Supercarry' tackles subjects like radical love, climate change, death and queerness head on with a deeply authentic belief in human potential. Her followup single 'I Will Always Be You' is already on a trajectory to be an even bigger success.

Lufthansa (self-released) are a young Macedonian band with an experimental and aggressive spirit. With 4 albums under their belt, they are ready to tear out your ears, shake your bones and offer you a warm sonic hug. In their latest album 'Давор', they combine their loudness, anger, love, and aggression to counteract the one-dimensionality and conformism of manufactured monotonous music.

Always earnest, always relatable, queer Portuguese alt-folk singer-songwriter Marinho (self-released) is described by Under the Radar Magazine as "Lisbon’s finest new musical export". Through their music, they come to terms with what lies between overly romanticized expectations and real life. Their deeply personal and confessional music is undoubtedly cementing their growing reputation.

Maryna Krut (ENKO) also known as KRUTЬ is an emerging Ukrainian singer-songwriter. Her music is marked by the use of the traditional Ukrainian string instrument, the bandura, which accompanies her unique atmospheric voice. Having released her recent album in 2022, Maryna has been representing Ukraine at numerous international festivals across the globe.

Matija Cvek (Menart) is a Croatian singer-songwriter from Zagreb. Known for his pop-funk ballades, he has won multiple awards for his chart topping singles such as 'ptice' and 'Trebaš li me'. In collaboration with Bruno Bišćan and Big Band Bjelovar, he recorded a jazz album 'Izbirljivo i namjerno' in 2022. For this, Cvek took home the awards for Best Pop Album and Best Male Vocal Performance at the Annual Porin Awards the same year.

Melike Şahin (Gülbaba Records) is the modern Turkish Diva, a singer-songwriter and composer combining Anatolian and Middle Eastern pop. Her solo career started in 2017, with songs reaching billions of streams over a short period. Melike released her first album "Merhem" in 2021, with more than 70 concerts in Turkey, she went on to play in almost 30 different cities across the globe.

Messer (Trocadero Records) are a German post-punk band from Münster. Their lyrical subject matter addresses themes such as isolation, coldness and decay. "No Future Days", Messer's fourth album, was released in 2020 via Trocadero Records. On it, the group added elements of krautrock, dub and funk to the post-punk sound. Singer Hendrik Otremba described it as the band's most personal album.

Norways next biggest popstar Sverre Breivik's artist project Metteson (LEKK) brings a sharp and anthemic freedom to songwriting, dance and theatre. As the Guardian regards as “gorgeous synth pop symphony of devotion”. The LGBTQ+ stage performer focuses his music around great, big choruses and lyrics that never shy away from emotion which are best reciprocated on dancefloor.

Misha Miller (Roton Music) is a Romanian artist who managed to secure a place in the European charts since her debut in music. A fresh and charismatic presence with a complex personality, her new single with Sasha Lopez 'Mahala' is an absolute pop anthem as her powerful voice and mesmerising vocal qualities are usually transformed into emotional stories that she tells through her heart.

Mula B (Plus record) is an award winning rapper from The Hague who built a name for himself through his unique flow and hard-hitting lyrics. After a debut album which entered the top 100 and became platinum within a year, Mula B released “Prix d’Ami”, launched in February 2022, it has rocketed towards success, turning gold and currently on its way to become platinum.

"Asian Berlin Pussy Power" is what the talented MC from Neukölln Nashi44 (self-released) calls her attitude. This not only stands for empowering rap, but also makes her the voice of many concerned people. The self-confident newcomer enriches the German rap scene with her unique mix of strong, political awareness and humorous attitude which packs constant devastating punchlines.

Niaz Diasamidze (GMI Rights Management) is a Georgian musician, calligrapher and actor from Tbilisi. Best known as the lead vocalist of 33a and composer of several internationally known indie films, including Oskar nominated "Tangerines” (2013). He is the first artist in Georgia to reach 1 million Spotify streams for a single with his 8th album 'Omi da Tavisufleba' [War & Freedom] dedicated to supporting Ukraine.

Niña Polaca (Subterfuge Records) are a Spanish indie rock band formed in 2018. Listening to their music feels like taking a walk through Madrid in the 80's, as Pop meets garage rock. They have two albums in the books, and a third one in the works, as announced with their latest release "Lo que yo te he querido (pretérito perfecto)" in November 2022.

Offica (MOVES Recordings) is a drill prodigy from Drogheda, Ireland. He began his musical career in 2018 and has been an inspiration to other rappers in both Irish and UK scenes. He uses Irish and Yoruba slang in his lyrics to exhibit his culture and ethnicity. Offica created a name for himself as one the most diverse and creative-minded rappers with latest single 'O Di Dan Dan' turning plenty of heads.

Olivia Addams (Global Records) is the freshest name in the Romanian industry. With an East European vibe and a Nordic voice, her latest single, 'Telepathy' with Dylan Fuentes, has reached massive airplay in several European territories. In addition, her bubbly personality has attracted a gigantic fan community which she calls unicorns, which account to over 1 million TikTok followers.

Oskar Haag is a young pop artist from Klagenfurt, Austria. After writing songs in lockdown and playing at Vienna Popfest by the age of 15. Haag founded his own record company 'Lullaby Records'. On this label he released his first three singles "Stargazing“, "Black Dress“ and "The Summer We Need“, songs that gained international airplay reaching Germany, UK and USA.

OTOY (Mamamusic) is a pseudonym of Vyacheslav Drofa, an artist from Lviv. Created with the purpose of multiplying self-conscious messages through hip-hop, rap and minimal R'n'B music, Vyacheslav brings OTOY to life, through the mediums of audio, visual, and social art to project his own perception of the world, life experiences, and critical emotional states.

Experimental pop auteur, Sasha Perera aka Perera Elsewhere (Friends of Friends) is a German producer, songwriter and DJ who has garnered critical acclaim for her digital creativity. She pushes the boundaries of her voice, lyrics, percussive beats and deep bass frequencies to gain her ‘Doom-Folk’ coined sound. Her recent album 'Home' has been widely-acclaimed for its shapeshifting aura.

Soma Palotai aka Perrin (AM:PM Music) is one of the most distinct voices coming out of current day Budapest. Rooted in the funk-soul legacy of the 70's, with a nod to contemporary beat-tapes, Perrin's sound is a balancing act, floating effortlessly between underground funk and indie pop. Accompanied by his 5-piece band, this is true soul music for the here-and-now.

Power Plush (Beton Klunker Tonträger) are a German Indie band free from hierarchies. They combine college rock, flowery indie, post-punk and alternative driven by feather-light immediacy. After a tremendous festival run in the summer season of 2022, they were nominated 'Best Newcomer' at the VUT Indie Awards. The band is finally releasing their first album 'Coping Fantasies' in 2023.

Ramkot (N.E.W.S. Records) is one of the most promising young Belgian rock bands today. After winning De Nieuwe Lichting 2021 by Studio Brussel with their first single 'Red', their solid but danceable music has been highly acclaimed, proving itself through high-quality live performances. In 2023, the band will begin their release tour to accompany their debut album 'In Between Borderlines'.

rares (Global Records) is a charismatic and versatile Romanian singer. His ability to juggle with musical genres has brought him notable collaborations with important artists and a diverse fanbase. He was also the winner of the talent show One True Singer, an HBO Max and Global Records production, and is among the few debutants to shortly reach No. 1 on the Romanian Airplay Charts.

four time BRIT nominated RAYE (Human Re Sources) is one of the most streamed indpendent artists in the world (3 billion) since her smash hit 'Escapism'. In 2019 she was awarded The BMI Impact Award for her 'ground-breaking artistry, creative vision and impact on the future of music'. After a double-platinum, 5 platinum, 3 gold and 5 silver singles, her 2023 album 'My 21st Century Blues' is out now.

Sajsi MC (Lampshade Media) is a very prominent female Hip Hop artist in Serbia. Her lyrics explore sexuality, feminism, and other socio-political subjects. In January 2023, she was the first female to win Hip Hop Song of the Year at the MAC Awards for her single “Ringe jaja”. In 2022, as a vocal LGBTQ+ ally, she was made "Godmother" at Belgrade Pride and featured in the UN Women campaign against gender violence in Serbia.

Sangiovanni (Sugar) is one of the most exciting pop acts to have emerged in Italy in recent years. Described by Billboard as “Italy’s new face of pop”, he stands out for his original style of singing. In his music, he talks about feelings of paranoia, euphoria, and the discovery of love. In 2021, his 4x platinum debut self-entitled EP topped the Italian album charts (FIMI) for 6 weeks.

Sharktank (Humming Records) are an Austrian sassy crossover, combining trippy beats, smooth rap and singer-songwriter melancholy, all under one danceable roof. Formed by rapper Mile, Katrin Paucz and Marco Kleebauers, their second album “Acting Funny“ received plaudits with an Amadeus Music Award 2022 nomination and live session on US broadcaster NPR. 2023, sees their new single nd single 'Bubblegum' out now.

Sick Luke (Carosello Records) is one of the youngest and most prolific producers in Italy. Sick Luke ends 2022 with the release of "X2 DELUXE". The deluxe edition of an album that has become a real manifesto of the current state of Italian music. A record that has been able to reinvent the codes of Italian music by blending different musical worlds and genres with over 40 artists involved.

Solo-artist Sitrekin (Hun Solo Records) launched her career on Danish radio station P6Beat with hit-single 'Open Chest'. As a self-produced musician, her distinct sound has been described as mysterious, beautiful, catchy and atmospheric. All of her 3 singles have gained heavy Danish radio rotation and international attention with an appearance on leading American radio station KEXP.

Skazz (Bloom Music) are an electronic punk duo from Kutaisi, Georgia; a birthplace of punk rock and alternative music in the 90's. Formed in 2021, Saba Vashakmadze and Nodo Kuprava were influenced by 80’s post punk and post-Soviet aesthetic. Their new album 'Memorial', with its blunt lyrics, pacey drumbeats and ear-catching riffs has set the duo's popularity in stone.

Swedish singer/songwriter Skott (Cosmos Music) performs sophisticated progressive pop focused on ethereal atmospherics and expressive lyrics. Hailing from the village of Vikarbyn where her cinematic sound and unique voice grew from learning violin by ear as a child. This March, Skott presents her potential to be a global phenomenon as her new album 'Roses N Guns' hits the airwaves,.

Ulla Pirttijärvi and daughter Hildá Länsman (Bafe's Factory) combine their heritage of northern Sámi language and traditional chant 'yoik' with innovative music. Proud of their indigenous roots, Solju want to show it to the world by providing a dialogue of traditional and modern Sámi culture. In 2023, their album 'Uvjamuohta' was nominated for 'The Finnish Ethno Album' award at the Emma-Gaala.

French pianist Sofiane Pamart (88 Touches / PIAS) is one of the most streamed classical music artists in the world. Accustomed to prestigious stages in France and abroad, he is the first pianist to perform at the Accor Arena Bercy and sell out La Salle Mythical. His dark and poetic work embodies an emotional accessibility for all audiences to break the elitist perception of classical music.

Sophia Kennedy’s (City Slang) music sounds like a soundtrack to a world disintegrating. Hanging on by a thread of memories, it combines the glamour and the morbid charm of tin pan alley show tunes from the 1960s or 70s and yet it fully embraces the deconstructed modernism of club music. Her 2021 album Monsters, is full of plot twists, moments of prettiness dashed with paranoia.

Sorcha Richardson (Faction Records Ltd.) left Ireland for Brooklyn as a teenager to study creative writing. When returning to Dublin, her music received critical acclaim from Nylon, The Irish Times and DIY, with a nomination for the Choice Music Prize 2023. Her second album “Smiling Like an Idiot” reached number 4 on the charts and cemented her status as one of Ireland’s top songwriters.

Signed to French label (Born Bad Records), a group of empowered young girls from a remote region of Benin (Natitingou) are shaking up the world of garage rock with breathtaking freshness, ingenuity and energy. Aged between 13 and 20, the seven-piece group, began learning instruments in 2016 to merge sato, highlife and rumba after responding to a local radio call for free music workshops.

Stella Explorer (Year 0001) is a Swedish / South African musician, producer and vocalist. Stella confidently draws from her lineage, infusing her nocturnal torch songs with rhythms and arrangements indebted to the jazz music on the anti-Apartheid airwaves of Radio Freedom. After her 2022 debut EP 'Dorkay House' and nominations from P3 guld, her next EP will be released with a tour of Scandinavia and the UK.

Portuguese artist Surma (Omnichord) creates a sonic blend of electronic ambient, post-rock and jazz. Nominated by IMPALA for Best European Album of 2017, her phonetics and uniqueness takes listeners from nordic fjords to cosmopolitan cities. Her new album "alla" is a challenge without barriers, surrounding herself in genres to deepen and consolidate her own unique universe.

Glasgow’s rising star TAAHLIAH (untitled recs) has been making great waves across UK and European dance scene. Fresh from an explosive Boiler Room debut, TAAHLIAH was the winner of 'Best Independent EP/Mixtape' and nominated for 'One To Watch' at the AIM Awards. She is also the first black trans artist to be nominated and win in two categories at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards.

Prague indie rock group Tamara (self-released) was founded by Magdalena Uhlířová, Natálie Rajnišová, Kristýna Dobrianská, Tamara Staňková and Štěpán Oves. Tamara has released three singles so far (Kiddos, Arizona, Mraky) and debut album 'Anderson'; all of which scream both girl power and sentimental punk with a lo-fi sound dominated by the voices of Majda and Naty singing in Czech.

Sabela Maneiro, Aida Tarrío and Olaia Maneiro are the Galician pandereteiras known as Tanxugueiras (Calaverita Records). They modernise the sounds of a millenary tradition merging it with urban sounds closer to electronic and trap. Their energy, empowerment and vocal virtuosity in their new album 'Diluvio' is the best example of their innovative style, a new genre known as trad.

The Away Days (self released) is an Istanbul-based band whose heightened depth of sound seamlessly moves between indie rock, shoegaze and dream pop. With a touch of psychedelia, their sound makes them something of a cultural and musical first. After releasing over 20 tracks, including their hit “Layers”, the band released their first ever Turkish song “Seninle Sonbahar” in December 2022.

The Bad Tones (self-released) are a nature and blues driven psychedelic rock quartet characterised by dreamy guitars and wavy vocals. On the guitar, keys and vocals is Edvards Broders, behind the drums is Kalvis Sležis-Zaļkalns. They are joined by Rūdolfs Ozols on guitar, keys and vocals, and Alberts Levics on bass and vocals. In the last year, they have released two cosmic feeling EPs 'Back Together' and 'i'.

THUMPER (Reckless Records) are quickly establishing themselves as one of Ireland's most promising and exciting bands at the moment. With a line-up of two drummers and four guitarists, THUMPER's maximalist wall of sound has long since set them apart. Their latest album 'Delusions of Grandeur' has shown them "punching like heavyweights alongside Fontaines DC and The Murder Capital" (BBC Radio 6).

Tomáš Niesner's (Warm Winters) solo work moves on the axis from acoustic guitar to electronic ambient drone. His album 'Bečvou' addresses the ecological impact of chemical pollution on the Czech Bečva River. Niesner captured field recordings across 100km of river to produce a full piece expressing love, loss, sorrow and hope. It functions as a blurring time capsule and prayer for renewal.

UCHE YARA is an all-round unique artist who fuses her own energetic style of performance from soul and R&B influences. The 20-year-old Berlin based multi-instrumentalist from Linz, Austria founded her own label 'goldendays FM'. Her profound songwriting and energetic live presence with a full band creates a new musical world of happiness, freedom and vivid expression.

Undergrunn (UG Records) are a Norwegian rap group from Oslo consisting of Fretex, Plaza, Pus, Marstein, Loverboy and Rikpappa. They have released three albums Firenze's Finest (2020), Buketter & ballspill (2021) and Undergrunn (2022). The latter gave them their first top position on the Norwegian charts and a nomination for 'Artist of the Year' and 'Song of the Year' for 'Italia' at the P3 Gold 2022.

Vizelj (Kontra Rights) are a Serbian experimental alternative rock band from Belgrade. Founded in 2013, they have since touched upon the genres of punk, grunge and psychedelia before signing with Kontra Records to release their greatest hits album “Ne vidim te od dima” in 2022. They are also the founders of the biggest alternative art festival in Belgrade “Hali Gali”.

Wesley Joseph (Secretly Canadian) is a soulful hip hop and avant-R&B artist from Walsall, UK. Original part of the OG Horse Collective with cherished icon Jorja Smith, he released his debut album 'ULTRAMARINE' in 2021. A deeply textured collection of psychedelic ballads and hard hip-hop bars. He returns in 2023 with new album 'GLOW' packed with analog synths and cascading vocal harmonies.

From hazy nights on the Isle of Wight, Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers formed UK post-punk duo Wet Leg (Domino Recording Co). Since their debut single 'Chaise Longue' they have taken the world by storm with their effervescent imagination. In 2023, they won their first BRITs awards for Best New Artist and Group of the Year for their self-entitled Mercury Prize shortlisted album.

Hailing from the Irish town Kilkenny, 49th & Main (Counter Records/Ninja Tune) are an electronic duo consisting of Ben O’Sullivan and Paddy King. The duo have been making unbelievable waves internationally - selling out their debut UK and Ireland headline tour, amassing over 50 million streams, and playing huge sets at Glastonbury, Electric Picnic and other festivals to boot.

58G (self-released) are a Czech Jihlava rap group consisting of TK27, Doktor and Humla. In 2020, they appeared on the scene with their first mixtape 58 tape vol.1, which followed up with the eponymous 58 tape vol.2 one year later. In 2022 they released their debut album CITI PARK which was followed by their first national tour throughout the Czech Republic.

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