IMPALA 100 Artists to Watch 2026

100 Artists to Watch 2026

The highly anticipated “100 Artists to Watch” list is back for 2026! In collaboration with YouTube and co-funded by the European Union, IMPALA continues its mission to spotlight the most exciting independent artists and labels across Europe. This year’s selection showcases groundbreaking talent chosen for their creativity, diversity, innovation, and impact both commercially and culturally.

Featuring artists from 29 countries and spanning genres from jazz and hip-hop to folk, electronic, pop and punk, the list highlights the diversity and ongoing evolution of the independent music scene.

Read our official statement about this year’s launch and explore the full list below.

Discover the 100 Artists to Watch on our dedicated YouTube playlist, or dive into our genre-based selections to find your next favorite artist!

ABOP (LAA) is a critically acclaimed live electronic band fusing acid house, techno and electro with the energy of krautrock. Five musicians perform club music entirely live, led by a unique dual-drummer setup. Their latest album was named Croatia’s Best Album of 2025, as the band continues selling out venues in Croatia.

London-based polymath, anaiis (5dB Records), makes the kind of music that speaks to an innate sense of wonder. On her latest album, "Devotion & The Black Divine", the songs swell with emotional clarity as she lovingly pushes herself beyond the edges of her comfort zone.

Anaïs Rosso (NØ FØRMAT! Records) is a French singer-songwriter based in Paris. Self-taught, she has developed a hybrid sound blending blues, French chanson, pop and electronic influences. Her music explores identity, carried by a distinctive voice and strong stage presence. She is currently preparing an EP for NØ FØRMAT! Records, due in April 2026.

Anna Buchegger (Anna’s Label | Matches Music) transforms Alpine tradition into contemporary live art. Singing in Austrian dialect, she blends folk instrumentation and yodeling with avant-garde pop and political perspective. Her critically acclaimed albums have reached the Austrian charts, and with over 50 shows in 2026, she expands cultural diversity in Europe’s live music landscape.

Anna Carol (INRI Records) is a singer-songwriter. Shaped by encounters with the soul and R&B scenes abroad, she weaved these influences into a distinctive and personal songwriting voice. Her songs explore the complexity of everyday life with a light touch and, at times, a hint of irony, turning real-life details into evocative images that open up a space both delicate and profound.

Anti-Medo (self-released) is the solo project of Miguel Sampaio, where acoustic drums, synthesizers, and samples coexist in a dialogue between human and machine. Raw and performative, it blends jazz, electronic, Afro influences, and improvisation, exploring memory, identity, and creative freedom through an intense and contemporary language.

Originally born in Denver, U.S., now based in Bulgaria, Arika Adams (self-released) is an honest alternative pop artist who captivates listeners with unique vocals and emotional lyrics. Her debut album, “Past Timeline”, released in November 2024, highlights her artistic growth. She has performed at festivals and collaborated creatively worldwide.

ÄTNA’s (self-released) current album “Lucky Dancer” blends nostalgic Eurodance and 2000s techno with Anthropocene melancholy. Its video contrasts trendy self-presentation with a barren, dystopian landscape, highlighting the absurdities of modern life. The result is a stylish yet pointed critique of the present - and a hopeful soundtrack for escape, change, and resilience.

London-born artist BINA. (self-released) is a genre-bending force, blending jazz, and alt-R&B sensibilities with punk-rock indie textures, soul-tinged vocals and unapologetic Black-British flair. Known for her emotional candor and fearless vulnerability, BINA. crafts music that is both intimate and expansive, rooted in lived experience and artistic experimentation.

Riga's Carnival Youth (self-released) make indie music that radiates optimism - think lazy Sunday afternoons meets cosmic adventures. With their new album coming soon, the band is exploring even deeper musical depths and crafting their most ambitious work yet, balancing uplifting and sometimes soaring melodies with vulnerable storytelling.

Following their 2nd album, "Caramel", Isle of Wight 4-piece Coach Party (Chess Club Records) will be playing their largest headline tour to date this year, with 7000 tickets on sale across the UK, Europe, the U.S. & Canada. Praised by Kerrang!, Guitar World, Vice, DORK, Paste, BBC 6Music, "Caramel" marked their 2nd UK Top 10 Independent Album.

Coilguns (Humus Records | Kartel Music Group) are a Swiss noise-rock band whose intense, abrasive sound reaches far beyond niche circles. Despite its radical edge, the project resonates across European indie networks, pairing relentless touring with records produced alongside internationally recognised, Grammy-nominated collaborators.

Debbie Sings (The Big Oil Recording Company) is one of Denmark’s most hyped and lauded DIY artists, channeling restless creative energy into stadium-scale pop. Blending punk attitude with digital-age art-pop, her music is danceable, unpredictable and raw.

Derya Yıldırım reimagines Anatolian folk songs, adding her own voice and psychedelic textures while honoring their roots. On the 2025 album “Yarın Yoksa”, she blends original with traditional melodies, carried by hypnotic vocals and bağlama. The Hamburg-born, multi-instrumentalist preserves heritage while giving it a modern, borderless sound.

Jovan Živadinović Dzipsii (Red Pill) is a Serbian pop/R&B artist and songwriter. Having showcased his talent through dance competitions and hit musicals, he moved to Belgrade in 2021 and released the single “Sve Je Isto.” He debuted with "Zapisi Iz Podzemlja" (2022), and his second album "JOVAN" arrived in March 2026.

Ebow (Garip Werkstätten), a defining voice in German rap, is known for politically sharp, stylistically bold lyrics. With her last album "FC CHAYA", she turned her focus to the LGBTQIA+ community, creating groundbreaking queer love songs that blend indie rock, R&B, and Y2K cloud rap - ultimately asserting that love is the strongest message in turbulent times.

eee gee - Emma Grankvist (Playground Music Scandinavia AB) is a Danish singer-songwriter blending Nordic pop melancholy with storytelling. After debuting with "Winning" (2022) and following up with "SHE-REX" (2023) on "Future Classic", she enters 2026 with new music led by the single “I Hear a String Quartet Playing Everywhere I Go".

Eljona Eleni Sinjari (self-released) is a pianist, vocalist, choir conductor, composer, and ancient Greek lyre performer. Her work bridges classical, jazz, and world music through performances, theatre, and interdisciplinary projects. She is the creator of the album-book "mAm", combining music, storytelling, and vocals.

Emma Hessels (Unday Records | N.E.W.S. Records) is a Belgian singer-songwriter crafting intimate indie pop rooted in honest storytelling and a soulful voice. Named a Sound Track laureate, she has quickly emerged as a promising new voice in Belgium’s alternative pop scene.

Drawing from Celtic imagery, the trio Espiral (Sons Vadios) presents a sonic journey through the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, Galicia, Wales, and Brittany, alongside original compositions. Whether in a more intimate setting or energising a European folk dance, Espiral is pure emotion.

With five albums to their name and numerous sold-out tours, Eugenio in Via Di Gioia (Carosello Records) are among the brightest standouts of the Italian music scene, blending pop, social engagement, and experimentation. Their music embraces creativity at 360 degrees, turning the themes explored in their songs into concrete actions.

FIЇNKA (Enko) promotes Hutsul culture through a unique modern sound and dialect. As a finalist of Ukraine’s Eurovision National Selections in 2023 and 2025, she has written multiple hits and has amassed tens of millions of streams, with one track exceeding more than 30M plays in about six months.

Gently Da Spittah’ (True Story Records) conveys the spirit of ’90s hip-hop through his music. He often brings musicality into classic boom bap beats, incorporating elements of soul and jazz. He released his first music video in 2021, gaining early recognition among underground hip-hop listeners and followers.

Gia Ford (Chrysalis Records) is an alternative musician from Sheffield, UK. Her debut album "Transparent Things", recorded at Sound City, was released to critical acclaim in September 2024. Elton John praised the album, stating Ford has "a great talent for writing interesting and moving songs".

The Slovenian duo Gliste (self-released) is a creative and playful musical act known for their catchy and humorous songs. They gained popularity on TikTok with viral hits like “Stanka tanka tank” and “Ti moj sonček, po koži božaš me”. Their music blends whimsical lyrics with engaging melodies, appealing to a wide audience.

Helene Glüxam (Unit Records CH) focuses on the double bass, pairing its deep, resonant tones with her singing voice, creating a powerful tension. The compositions are shaped by an experimental spirit, where catchy song structures merge with the openness of jazz, improvisation, and alternative rock. In 2025, she was awarded the Austrian Jazz Prize in the category “Best Newcomer”.

Hermana Furia (Entrebotones) is a rock band based in Madrid, known for their intense live performances and strong artistic identity. After releasing two albums, the project is actively touring venues and festivals, establishing itself as one of the most powerful acts in Spanish-language indie rock.

Comprising Berkan Tilavel, Okan Kaya, and Volkan İncüvez, Hissikablelvuku (HKV Records) blends ancient Anatolian roots with contemporary sound and aesthetics. Focusing on the significance of the "unfolding" moment, the band creates an immersive experience that surrounds listeners like ivy, aiming to breathe together through improvisation.

In recent years, Hobbel (Store Studio Records) has released a string of indie gems, ranging from the darkest, moodiest sounds inspired by early Cocteau Twins to light and catchy pop songs. Their music blends vintage and modern elements in a unique mix, with nods to artists like The Cure, The Bangles, and Taylor Swift.

Ida The Young’s (Korobushka Records) songwriting is something both fragile and assured. Built on nuanced arrangements and understated hooks, it rewards close listening. Emotionally precise yet sonically expansive, it feels contemporary without chasing trends. A confident artistic leap that signals long-term international potential.

The Hungary-based imago mundi (Gold Record) aims to create an atmosphere that ensures audiences leave with an unforgettable experience every time. By combining the band’s artistic direction with the personalities of its members, their music blends the pop-rock mood of the 2000s with modern contemporary styles, creating a renewed yet familiar and nostalgic feeling.

Isabel van Gelder (Excited About Music) is a 22-year-old pop artist from Amsterdam. Her almost angelic sound moves between impressive listening songs and carefree danceable tracks. With dreamy, vocal-driven melodies, she connects effortlessly with her audiences. Isabel is an artist you can't ignore.

Self-made and genre-fluid, IVAN$ITO (Out of Office Records) blends reggaeton, R&B, funk, and trap latino. Born in Denmark to Chilean immigrants, his sound reflects a life across cultures. After early projects and a record deal, he refined his vision independently. Now based in Barcelona, he continues building an international career with global artistic ambition.

Izza Gara (Gara Records) is a Gothenburg-raised artist, producer and songwriter moving between electronic music, alternative R&B and club culture. A 2025 Grammis nominee (Electronic/Dance), she has also received GAFFA and Manifest nominations in the Producer, Composer, Electronic and R&B categories.

Jakov Jozinović (K.S.V.) is a new Croatian pop singer whose sincere approach and emotional expression in singing were first recognised by audiences on social media. He performs throughout the region on his tour “Ja za čuda letim”. Authentic, emotional, and energetic, Jakov brings a new wave of modern pop with a strong emphasis on emotion.

Hailing from the West of Ireland, songwriter Jamie McIntyre (self-released) had a huge 2025 with his own brand of folk songs, tied back to his love for Ireland. With a UK & Ireland tour with U.S. indie folk band, the 502s leading into his own sold out Irish tour has firmly put McIntyre on the map as one to watch in 2026.

JEN (541 Records | N.E.W.S. Records) is the pop-rock project of Belgian artist Jente Neels. With gritty hooks and a powerful live energy, she steps into the spotlight after years on major stages, establishing herself as a bold new voice in Belgium’s pop-rock landscape.

Jennifur (Off Corner Records | N.E.W.S. Records), a Belgian producer and DJ, creates love ballads that live in the space between head and heart, control and surrender. His sound bridges indie rock, UK bass, electronica, and classical influences, with tracks that feel like scoring a romcom.

Between her Austrian roots and urban vibrancy, Jo The Man The Music (Ink Music) blends nostalgic indie with alternative pop. Distorted guitars meet delicate songwriting in her 2026 debut EP "Soft Skin". Her music explores self-acceptance and vulnerability, playfully challenging gender roles while capturing the introspective chaos of a generation.

Jule X (Bakara Music) is one of the leading voices in Swiss rap, known for his distinctive style, viral social presence, and explosive live shows. Together with the Vokuhila Mafia, he has built a massive following and turns concerts into high-energy, sweat-driven collective experiences, soon internationally as well.

"BOHÈME", Kety Fusco’s (A Tree in a Field Records) second album, created with film composer Nicolas Rabaeus, features sounds derived solely from the harp, including underwater recordings. Supported by Iggy Pop, the work stands as an artistic manifesto of freedom and nonconformity. Kety Fusco, a visionary harpist‑composer, continually redefines the instrument’s sonic possibilities.

Dublin-born KhakiKid (10K Projects) blends offbeat, honest hip-hop with inventive wordplay, drawing on themes of identity and reconnecting with his Arab-Irish roots. His energetic live shows, rapid rise online (amassing over 25 million streams), and appearances at major festivals have marked him as a standout new voice.

Lamante (Artist First) is the musical project of Giorgia Pietribiasi, a songwriter from Schio. Her dark voice and emotive lyrics explore memory, roots, and tension. She toured Italy for two years with over 50 shows. Her acclaimed debut album "In memoria di" (2024), which received multiple awards, was shortlisted for the Targa Tenco prize.

Le Parody (Everlasting Records) is a producer and singer from Andalusia, Spain. Her music echoes a near future where folklore and electronica blend together. In her ten-year career, she has released four albums, each one a different journey, experimenting with pop, techno, and ambient music. A unique mix that is difficult to categorise.

Léonie Pernet (CryBaby | InFiné) is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer, crafting a deeply personal world that shifts between melancholy and elation, across electronic music, pop and film scoring. Following "Crave" (2018) and "Le Cirque de Consolation" (2021), she released her third album, "Poèmes Pulvérisés", in June 2025.

Athenian avant-pop artist Lia Hide (The Institute For Experimental Arts | Second Records) merges dark pop, spoken word and cinematic sound into ritualistic performances. With six albums, award-winning videos and international tours across 19 EU countries, the U.S. and China, her genre-defying work has built a dedicated audience, bridging experimental pop with contemporary performance and interdisciplinary art.

The genre-free, yet unique catalog under the username louna0nline (self-released) seamlessly blends modern rap, pop and witch house sounds. The presence of the new wave artist, known for her hazy internet aesthetic, is conveyed to the listener as sharp productions and personal lyrics collide.

Luiza (Chapter Two Records | Wagram Music) is a French‑Brazilian singer blending warm pop, tropical influences and subtle electro‑dub textures. After the breakout success of “Soleil Bleu” (over 190M streams), she's become known for her radiant voice and magnetic stage presence. Her debut album arrives on April 10, followed by a major French and international tour, including Reeperbahn.

Macha Ravel (Menart) is a Franco-Croatian alt-pop singer, songwriter and producer known for her fearless artistry and boundary-breaking sound in the Balkans. She redefines every genre and every expectation with every new release. Her sound is provocative and electric, her visuals cinematic and her performances with her band unapologetically loud, both in volume and message.

Manifest (Hypers Music) is a six-member girl group from Turkey blending modern pop with local roots. They rose fast across Turkey and the MENA region. High energy songs, bold visuals, and sharp choreography define their sound and identity.

Nearly forty years after her debut, Mari Boine (By Norse Music) remains one of the most powerful voices in Sámi music. She has inspired generations through her sound, activism, and worldwide touring. As she approaches seventy, her legacy continues to grow with new music, major concerts, and a forthcoming documentary.

Masha Qrella (staatsakt), long admired for her Brasch project "Woanders", has continued a wide-ranging creative career: new scores, radio plays, film music, and reinterpretations. A key figure of Berlin’s post-rock scene, she has released multiple acclaimed solo albums and toured globally. Her 2025 album Songbook showcases her artistic breadth.

Matteo Mancuso (Mascot Records) is one of the fastest-rising guitarists worldwide, redefining modern virtuosity. Hailed by Steve Vai and Joe Bonamassa, his genre-fluid style blends jazz, rock and fusion. With millions of streams and sold-out tours, he is rapidly evolving into a global headline instrumental artist.

Maureen (Because Music) rose from Martinique’s shatta scene in 2019 with viral hits like “Flex” and “Tic”. After her EP "Bad Queen", she returned in 2025 with "Queen", a personal, fearless debut album shaped by motherhood, resilience, and growth - blending dancehall energy, introspection, and Creole pride into a bold artistic statement.

Mayales (Aquarius Records) combine elements of pop, rock, psychedelia, and experimental music, creating a captivating and dynamic live experience. Their performances feature a rich arrangement ensuring a full and immersive sound. Mayales' innovative approach and energetic stage presence guarantee an exciting concert that appeals to diverse audiences.

Mayan (self-released) is a DJ and sound artist with releases on international labels and performances beyond borders. With new releases and international collaborations in development, she bridges hypnotic techno and trancy house with research in spatial audio. She is the founder of a collective that promotes equity and representation in electronic music.

Former frontwoman of indie punk pioneers Fight Like Apes, MayKay (Grainstore Records) broke out in 2025 with her long awaited debut solo album. It’s a record that has sat in its own liminal gestation, completed four years ago, the time has come for others to hear it. And hear it they will. This is a record of astonishing beauty, honesty, and vulnerability.

MokuMoku (Stockton Records) is an alternative hip-hop band from Tbilisi, Georgia. Formed in 2014, the band combines a variety of hip-hop, funk and jazz. The band has released 5 albums.

Musgö (El Tragaluz) is a harpist and singer from Cadiz with a unique style influenced by pop, folk, and electronic music. With more than 10 years of experience, she composes the lyrics and music for her songs and creates her own music videos. Her live performances are a hypnotic journey between acoustic and electronic sounds, featuring her harp and her unique voice.

The architect of Trabetiko, Negros Tou Moria - Kevin Ansong (Stay Independent) bridges his Ghanaian roots with Athenian street culture. Fusing modern trap with traditional Greek Rebetiko, the Kypseli-born rapper defines "Black Greece" through gravelly flows and deep lyricism. From the streets to the National Theater, he is the definitive voice of modern Athens.

Neven (Geenga Records | Hardcore For The Losers) are at the forefront of Belgrade’s hardcore revival, channelling NYHC roots with modern heaviness. Their shows, spanning diverse venues and genres, unite audiences through energetic performances. With themes of introspection, growth, straight edge, and Krishna consciousness, Neven electrifies crowds.

Nini Nutsubidze (Bloom Music), a songwriter, singer, and producer whose work blends soul, R&B, hip-hop, and experimental production, incorporating elements of Georgian pop-folk. Her music spans both original compositions and reinterpretations, using sampling, sound design, and expressive vocals to create a distinctive and contemporary sound.

Vocalist, producer and composer Oklou’s (True Panther Sounds | Because Music) debut album "Choke Enough" landed February 2025 and was described as “spellbinding” by NME and starting "a quiet revolution in pop music” by Pitchfork. It went on to become one of the most, if not the most critically lauded album of the year.

OLGA (PME Records | Cyber Recordings) is an Emma-award & Indie Awards winning pop artist pushing Finnish pop into new territory. Blending raw emotion with electronic intensity, she challenges the limits of mainstream sound. Unapologetic and sharp, OLGA stands at the forefront of a new wave redefining what pop from Finland can be.

Orson Claeys (Sdban Ultra | N.E.W.S. Records) is a jazz pianist forging an adventurous sound shaped by Middle Eastern influences, hip-hop and modern jazz. After a striking debut EP, he now prepares his 2026 debut album and scheduled shows at Brussels Jazz Festival and Leuven Jazz, clear signs that Claeys emerges as a defining voice in Belgium’s new jazz generation.

Ivorian-Norwegian Oscar Blesson (Just in Time Entertainment) is a singer, songwriter and rapper who resides in Oslo. His love for music is largely due to his late father, Ivorian artist Tony Blesson. With his heritage spanning continents, he's attuned to a variety of perceptions, which provides him with a multi-cultural perspective to his sound.

Pau Mueller (Nevance AG) is a young Cuban-Swiss singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, and music producer, born in Zurich and raised between the Americas and Europe. Her music blends Latin-American influences with acoustic and indie pop songwriting, marked by introspective lyrics and emotional nuance.

Pearly Drops (Music Website) is the Helsinki duo of Sandra Tervonen and Juuso Malin, crafting dreamy, slightly uncanny pop that drifts between indie rock and electronic music. Winners of the Nordic Teosto Prize, they’ve built a growing international following through richly atmospheric releases and collaborations across the global indie-electronic scene.

Petrofski (self-released) is both a fragile romantic and a pop eccentric. He bridges the gap between the nostalgic sentiment of ‘80s New Wave and the energy of modern pop. His distinct musical and visual aesthetic takes inspiration from Depeche Mode and Petr Muk, His music balances simplicity with sophistication.

Phil it (pomitni) is a creative union of independent Ukrainian artists founded 3 years ago during the war. Its founder and inspirer is Phil Koliadenko, who is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist as well. The project emerged from a need to unite and support human souls through dialogue expressed in art, music, and dance.

Pistamachina (self-released) is a disorienting mix of rage electronica and glitchy pop, delivered with the occasional cinematic flourish. A collaborative effort between man and machine, designed to challenge the theory of linear time. A reflection of our culture, delivered with the urgency of an artist who knows that time is running out.

Plié (self-released) is an explosive reaction to the everyday chaos of the 21st century. The band does not comfort the listener – their music is noisy, neurotic, awakening animalistic energy in their live performances, causing a hypnotic ritual of digital mysticism.

prima stanza a destra (Sugar Music) is a place where you can explore emotions, revisit the past, travel with the mind. Behind the project is a 22-year-old artist with immediate lyrics, a unique falsetto, and an experimental production style, all condensed into a very compact song form. Everything in his music is a mantra.

Praised by BBC Radio 3, Classic FM, and Gramophone, French guitarist Roxane Elfasci (Cosmos Music) brings her acclaimed artistry to "Glass Gaze", the new album from guitar duo Roxane & Baptiste Erard with percussionist Théo Lamperier. The album reimagines 12 of Philip Glass’s Piano Etudes for two guitars and percussion.

Sarah Julia (Nettwerk Music Group) are a Dutch sister duo making harmony-led indie folk defined by emotional restraint and intimacy. Winners of the 2026 Music Moves Europe Award, they’ve shared stages with Paris Paloma, SYML, Faye Webster and Neil Young, are working with Philip Weinrobe on their upcoming Fall 2026 album and touring plans for Europe, the U.S., and Australia.

Séamus Harty (Paragon Records) is an emerging singer songwriter from Tralee. He started writing songs at the age of 14 with musical inspirations ranging from Ray Charles to Stevie Wonder, James Brown and the Rat Pack. His extraordinary voice has generated a substantial early stage audience and fanbase on social platforms ahead of his first set of releases.

Anyone who mistakes Sodl’s (GRIDmusic) forest-fairy aesthetic for a dreamy folk act will be in for a rude awakening with hits like "I am a Woman" and "Mary, The Anarchist". With "Sheepman", the 22-year-old unveils her self-produced debut album, a 90s folk-rock tightrope walk between fairytale escapism and feminist outcry.

Sren (Tamar Records) is an Istanbul-based band blending shoegaze, indie rock, and post-punk. Formed in 2024, the band creates emotionally driven songs with layered guitars and a dark, atmospheric sound. Their debut album "Başka Bir Hayat Mümkün" was released in 2025.

Suu (Halley Records) is the queen of Spanish female pop. At 26, she has already released four albums, earned two gold records and performed more than 400 concerts. Her uniqueness, her approachability, and her music connect with many audiences and with both indie and mainstream artists, who she has collaborated with.

Taša Krunić (IDJ Tunes) is a young singer from Banja Luka and the winner of the fourth season of the regional music competition IDJ Pepsi Show. She is recognised for her strong vocals, charisma and modern pop sound, and through the competition she has gained great support from audiences throughout the region.

Terezie Kovalová (Zinka) combines classical sensibility with contemporary production in a bold narrative arc. Her 2025 album, "Zinka", moves between vulnerability and intensity with striking control. Its sonic palette feels both refined and adventurous. An ambitious artistic statement that expands the possibilities of the local scene.

Swedish electropunk duo The Guilt (Icons Creating Evil Art) crash riot grrrl bluntness into goth-maximalist chaos with glitter-streaked ferocity. Their new third album, "Naked Rat Dance", is fast, unhinged, and emotionally raw, built on heavy synths, weird guitars, and epic melodies. For fans of: Le Tigre, GHLOW, Bikini Kill, or screaming with glitter in your teeth.

The Hybrid Drummer (Launching Gagarin Records and Management) delivers a high-energy live show that blends hybrid drums and effected bass guitar with tech-house, techno, and heavier club styles. Structured like a DJ set, but performed entirely live. Banging, deep basslines and drums elevate the audience into ecstasy.

A band that helped define a generation of Czech indie rock. The Prostitutes (Empirica | Parlay Shop) return with clarity, tension and renewed focus. Their latest album blends raw energy with melodic precision. It acknowledges their legacy while pushing into new territory. A compelling reminder of their lasting artistic impact.

They Call Me Steve (Be Yourself Music) is a solo project of Jordi van Achthoven, known as ½ of the electronic music group Tinlicker. Founded in 2022, this project emerged as a personal creative outlet, created during quiet evenings at home. Using a minimalist setup, Jordi creates music rooted in audio sampling, blending fragments from vinyl, CDs, and decades-old projects.

ToMa (Dallas Records) is one of Croatia’s most in-demand young musicians, gaining recognition at Dora 2021 with "Ocean of Love". He won the Zagreb Festival with "Voljet ćeš opet" and released his second album "Sudbine i priče nove" in 2026. His biggest solo concert takes place at Tvornica Kulture in April.

Tsar Pluh (House no Feed) is an alternative rock band formed in 2023 by musicians with a long-standing presence in the independent scene. The project blends modern rock and metal influences with emotionally charged lyrics in Bulgarian, distinctive visual aesthetics, and an experimental sound that shifts between heavy guitars, synth textures, and atmospheric arrangements.

Turbo Trans Turisti (Kontra Rights & LAA) is an alternative pop band, founded by brothers, Nikola and Boško Mijušković. Formed in 2017 in a family bedroom that also served as a studio, where their first 2 albums were recorded. Their 3rd album represents a major leap forward both musically and in the band’s overall trajectory.

TurkodiRoma (self-released) is an indie-fusion project shaped by movement between countries, languages, and emotions. Blending acoustic warmth with electronic detail, they create cinematic songs exploring identity, belonging, climate anxiety, and everyday humour. Performing in Spanish, English, Italian, and Turkish, their theatrical live shows connect diverse audiences.

Unsafe Space Garden (gig.ROCKS!) bend art punk into a gloriously unhinged playground, echoing the fearless irreverence of Frank Zappa with thicker fuzz and sharper teeth. Their sound balances chaos and precision, driven by sharp social insight around communication, shared space, self-sabotage, inner peace and mental health.

Rapidly becoming one of Europe's most talked about new live bands, Us (Lördag) are a four-piece indie rock force defined by blistering energy, relentless touring, and a fiercely DIY spirit. Formed around a shared love of raw rock'n'roll, post-punk edge, and classic songwriting.

Vandalisbin (Inselgruppe) creates raw, poetic neo-soul shaped by queer identity, lived experience, and influences from Nina Simone to Nirvana. Her powerful voice and emotional honesty define both her performances and her debut EP "Bottle of Wisdom: Tape 1". She builds a vivid world where vulnerability becomes resistance and pop regains authenticity.

Vaqo - Vakhtang Kantaria (GMI Rights Management) is a Georgian rock musician blending rock, blues, psychedelia, and Georgian folk. He launched a solo career in 2017, crafting layered one-man-band recordings released internationally, with global radio airplay and songs rooted in language and identity.

Vimoksha (Ataxmedia) is the solo project of songwriter and producer Emina Bajtarević. Her debut single "Discommunication" reached the Milan Mladenović Award finals, while "Nazovi nekog osim dilera" gained regional momentum. She promoted her acclaimed debut album "Vilenjak" at several festivals, and released a genre-blending pop-funk EP in 2026.

Yoa (Panenka), a 28-year-old Franco-Swiss pop prodigy, blends electro beats with raw, generation-defining lyrics on mental health, sexuality, and modern love. After 2 EPs, her debut album "La Favorite", released in 2025 and awarded a Victoire de la Musique, captures the TikTok era’s disillusionment with irony and vulnerability.

Young Dadi (self-released) is a pop-hip hop artist from Skopje, Macedonia, blending melodic hooks with confident, high-energy flows. Known for his strong visual identity and youth-driven sound, he has performed at major regional festivals and built a loyal Gen Z audience through music, fashion, and culture-forward projects.

Every third full moon, Björn Yttling gathers a group of Sweden's absolute finest park bench philosophers and jazz cosmonauts for rapturous jam sessions that go on for days. They become Yttling Jazz (YEAR0001).

Yulia Yurina (Best Music) is a Ukrainian singer and producer focused on promoting Ukrainian folk songs through modern arrangements. She began this path with the band YUKO in 2016. In her solo work, she steps beyond folklore – up to a rock album – yet folk remains her core. She also addresses socially urgent topics like war, domestic violence and LGBTQ+ rights.

Zevin (self-released) is a 22-year-old independent Balkan pop-artist, director, and visual visionary. Blending hyperpop, club beats, and sharp social irony, she creates immersive, self-directed performances. As co-founder of Control Freaks, she maintains full creative control. In 2025, she introduced herself to Croatian audiences at Dora with "My Mind".

100%WET (Crunchy Frog) is made up of producer/guitarists Casper Munns and Jakob Birch featuring vocalists and co-writers Sanna Heinstedt and Amalie Hannibal Petri. Bonding over a shared desire to merge breakbeat and acid house with dense, guitar-driven songwriting, they formed the band in 2023, coining their approach drum’n’gaze; the missing fusion of shoegaze and drum’n’bass.

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