I don’t have a finger on the pulse of the music industry nor am I a psychic that’s going to be able to predict what will happen in the music. I know I can confidently say anything Taylor Swift or Beyonce touches today, tomorrow, or the future will be gold and that without a doubt some country music doofus will say or do something astronomically racist or sexiest and the fragile white male egos of the world will shrug and say hell yeah.
So, when I say here are eleven artists you should watch in 2024, it’s because I’ve been watching them and paying attention to what they’re doing. Some I’ve been watching for years, some I discovered this year. Nonetheless, the vibe they’re giving me is good energy and they’re also damn talented.
So here are eleven artists, I think you should not sleep on in 2024. (in alphabetical order)
Adult Leisure – UK
There’s something infectious about this band. With two EPs under their belt, The Weekend Ritual (2022) and Present State of Joy and Grief (2023), I feel that 2024 could possibly bring an album from the band. The foursome know how to craft hooky and catchy songs that are not only bangers but also booty moving. Plus their myriad of social activities feel as if they’re keeping the foot on the pedal from the moment of Present State of Joy and Grief’s release.
Baby Schillaci – UK
Hands down, Baby Schillaci was my favourite discovery of 2023. Their debut EP Physical Only was one of the best of 2023. For anyone who didn’t snag a physical copy of it, the best song of 2023 was their song “Spit”. I know I didn’t list it as such on the Songs of 2023, but that was because it was not accessible to the masses. This band is just getting started and I sense great things for them.
Chinchilla – UK
Chinchilla is the female equivalent of fellow independent artist Ren. Her song “Little Girl Gone” was a viral hit, she graced the judges of The Voice UK with her talent, and she’s given us all of her talent and I believe she’s on the cusp of getting her profits in return in 2024.
Erotic Secrets of Pompeii – UK
This apocalyptic brainiac band landed on my radar about a month ago. They’re whip smart, creative, artistic, and have a talent for bringing in myths, history, and more into their writing. Their debut album Mondo Maleficum will be out on January 25th and I can say it’s already on my list for one of the best of 2024. They’re destined to be this generation’s Talking Heads.
Go-Jo – Australia
By chance, I saw Go-Jo at SXSW Sydney 2023 and was blown away by their set. From the mastermind of Marty Zambotto, I see the viral artist is moving beyond social media in 2024. There’s a wonderful sense of awe and magic about Go-Jo from their on stage presence to their social presence, but the strength of that magic shows the most in the strong writing and music from them.
Kip Moore – US
With this year’s Damn Love, it felt as if Kip raised a middle finger to the world of country. Though he’s never been one to play by label standards or by their rules, Damn Love had more of a rock lean like the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and The Pretenders. Kip’s strength has always been his writing and it gets stronger with every album. He’s hinted on his socials that he’s working on a new album and if we’re lucky we’ll see it in 2024
Lord of the Lost – Germany
I’m not sure when Lord of the Lost actually takes a break or sleeps. At the end of 2022, they released Blood & Glitter and it shot to number one with no marketing. The band kicked off 2023 not only with a number one album, they appeared for Germany in Eurovision, toured with Iron Maiden, played a ton (if not all) of the European rock and metal festivals, released twelve videos (11 for Blood & Glitter, and at writing 1 for Weapons of Mass Seduction), plus did Twitch streams, and a multitude of videos from on the road. With the fresh release of Weapons of Mass Seduction, 2024 feels as if it’ll be a rinse and repeat success of their epic 2023.
Photo by Jan Season
Qveen Herby – US
The starchild alter ego of Amy Noonan, Qveen Herby released two EPs this year, The Muse and Housewife. Plus had season two of the highly enlightening and entertaining podcast House of Herby and sold out shows across the US. With zero chance of Amy and her partner in crime and life Nick Noonan sitting still in 2024, they’ve rebranded House of Herby to Herby House and I expect more viral music from the Qveen and more art. With 2024 being an 8 year, I feel Qveen Herby will be making her name known across the world.
Ren – UK
I see the success of 2023 continuing into 2024 for Ren. With his UK number one album Sick Boi, the independent artist will not be resting on his laurels and has already teased how busy he plans on being next year. If he maintains the steam of 2023, 2024 will be a year where Ren extends his name beyond.
Sub-Radio – US
Another discovery from this year. Instagram does sometimes show me things that are actually great. Sub-Radio was one of them. Their EP, Past Lives was one infectious and catchy track after another. Had they been a band back in the world of Warped Tour days, this band would have been a tour and fan favourite. They have this it factor and are on the edge of going beyond their viral sensation. What I find fascinating about this band is that people I know who work in the radio and live entertainment sector of the music industry know their name and they’re itching to get them to play in their cities. They’re working on new music and if it’s like Past Lives or even better, this band will be a household name.
The Terrifying Lows – Australia
His mindblowing dark yet seductive song “Love is a Weapon” put Tyler Millott, aka The Terrifying Lows on my radar and then there was October’s “What’s Become of Me” which left me struggling to find words. If The Terrifying Lows only release a handful of songs in 2024 like they did in 2023, they’re going to be some of the best damn songs of the year from this rising star.
