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21 New British Bands To Watch This Year
By Cal Morris / April 09, 2024
It’s that time of the year again (although a touch late). British Bands seem to be back in full swing, with new scenes popping up all over the country, proving the UK has some of the most forward thinking and interesting groups Europe has to offer.
Whatever your genre, there is a new British band doing really interesting stuff almost anywhere. And with a bounce back in the industry, gigs fully accessible and back in full swing, it’s a really exciting time.
Find below our top 21 British bands to look out for this year. They’re a mix of brand new, some are signed, some aren’t. Some use PIRATE rehearsal studios, some should hit us up!
1. UGLY
Location: London
Genre: Punk, Country, Jazz, Alt Rock
Having already supported Black Country, New Road last year, UGLY have already made a name for themselves on the local London scene fortifying their status as one of the best new bands for 2024. Their scuzzy jazz-ish punk/country offering has been making a splash since their inception. Post Rock sounds with forward thinking writing make their noise one to watch.
2. The Last Whole Earth Catalogue
Location: South London
Genre: Jazz, Spoken Word, Alt Indie
Meta Jazz and spoken word meets improv - The Last Whole Earth Catalogue have been performing their loose and fascinating composition throughout the city. Comparisons to Caroline and Black Country, New Road are justified, but The Last Whole Earth Catalogue’s idiosyncratic live shows and free form tracks cement them as utterly unique.
3. Mary in the Junkyard
Location: London
Genre: Shoegaze, Rock, Orchestral Pop, Experimental
It’s almost as if Mary in the Junkyard popped up out of thin air, with one single released last October and not much else. But their live presence is undeniable and the buzz they’ve created out of Brixton’s Windmill have cemented them as one of the most exciting bands in South London at the moment. Whatever they come out with next, we’re listening.
4. Dirty Blonde
Location: North West
Genre: Rock, Punk, Indie
Pirate ambassadors for 2024, Dirty Blonde have already made waves with their signature alternative sound in the North West. Arena ready anthems are the flavour of the day - with hard hitters that are tightly honed and ready to be screamed back by an adoring crowd, they’re slowly proving themselves to be one of the best new rock bands in 2024.
5. Maruja
Location: Manchester
Genre: Folk, Electronica, Rock, Jazz, Experimental
Manchester outfit Maruja are the live act to see in 2024, with cosigns from Glastonbury, Radio 6 and NME. Their gritty honesty and realism set them apart from their contemporaries and their magnetic live show has been capturing audiences across the country for a couple of years.
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6. Slate
Location: Cardiff
Genre: Electronic, Alternative Rock, Post-Punk
The young Welsh brand straight out of Cardiff may only have a couple of singles in the world but that doesn’t stop their raw post-punk energy impressing live audiences in their native city. Listening to them you can hear touchpoints from various bands (think Joy Division and The Cure).
7. Balderdasch
Location: London
Genre: Pop, Art Pop, Indie-Electronic, Folk, Experimental
The Irish-raised London-based has been making wonky and strange pop in the capital for years now - think spoken word whimsy with broken pop beats and politically charged blink and you’ll miss ‘em lyrics. They’re set to take the London pop scene by storm and if their latest single is a taste, we’re excited for what’s to come (new EP out later this year). Also a Pirate regular!
8. O.
Location: London
Genre: Jazz, Experimental, Noise, Shoegaze
Hot off of their ‘Slice’ EP released last November, the instrumental outfit is signed to Speedy Wunderground, founded by producer of Fontaines DC and Squid. Their shoegazey, jazz adjacent sound begs to be seen live. BYOL (bring your own lyrics). A british alternative band to watch.
9. Barstaff
Location: London
Genre: Indie, Indie Pop
Barstaff became Pirate Ambassadors in 2024, and already gained a record of the week distinction on XS radio. The UK group promises to be the ‘soundtrack to your next hangover’, with their ear for a killer hook solid indie foundations, they’ve booked headline and festival gigs for 2024 so keep an eye out.
10. Cowboyy
Location: South Coast
Genre: Math Rock, Pop, Indie, Experimental
Math Rock / Pop / Indie band Cowboyy have eclectic references, frenetic energy abound, and a distinct sound will leave you gasping for breath. Add to that intriguing art direction and a new EP just last year, we’re waiting for the debut! Will be spending the next year deciphering and learning lyrics.
11. Man/Woman/Chainsaw
Location: London
Genre: Math Rock, Experimental, Punk, Post-Punk, Noise
Man/Woman/Chainsaw’s tracks are feverish and energetic - their bones in math rock but orchestral and art pop influencers add a unique flavour to their output. Two singles in, they’re already a must-see act in any line up. We’ve got a feeling we’ll be seeing them at the likes of End of the Road soon. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
12. Alien Chicks
Location: London
Genre: Rock, Punk, Post-Punk, Metal, Shoegaze, Noise
Another Brixton native, Alien Chicks have been performing at The Windmill, The Shacklewell, and other iconic London venues, slowly cementing their status as one to watch in 2023. Their scuzzy sound and earworms are sure to make a bigger splash this year at venues and festivals across the country.
13. Legss
Location: London
Genre: Punk, Experimental, Pop, Noise, Jazz
Legss spiralling lyrics, introspective sound and expansive guitars add to a glorious concoction of comedowns, broken hearts and speculative narratives. Their tracks have been acclaimed from the likes of Huw Stevens and Steve Lamacq so keep an eye out for their next tour dates off the back of their gorgeous EP Fester.
14. Blue Bendy
Location: London
Genre: Folk, Experimental, Indie, Punk
Blue Bendy have been developing and experimenting sounds their entire career - shedding post-punk connotations and building in orchestral pop and industrial influencers to name a few, with the highly anticipated debut LP (hopefully) dropping this year. Music to get a bit weird to.
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15. Average Life Complaints
Location: London
Genre: Indie, Rock, Glam Rock
The self described “Chip Rock” South London band are big on their social commentary, ennui and the banal. The glam rock-esque title track exudes confidence, with slick melodies and interesting structures separating them from the next UK indie band.
16. Otala
Location: London
Genre: Jazz, Experimental, Post-Rock, Folk, Freeform
Desperate cries with Spoken Word, shoegaze and hard rock influences, with confessional lyrics and arrangements that swell, spike and distort. We’re patiently waiting for the debut LP, out 7th March. @ Rough Trade!
17. IRKED
Location: North East
Genre: Noise-Pop, Alt-Pop, Shoegaze, Punk
Making “snotty, noisy” punk music - the Tyne and Wear natives are staples of the underground scene there - ready to burst and pop bubbles with their northern humour, snarl and politically charged tracks. One British punk band to watch.
18. The New Eves
Location: Brighton
Genre: Folk, Baroque, Rock, Experimental, Orchestral
“Hagstone rock”, as they call it, complete with gregorian chants, whispers and ethereal qualities, The New Eves challenge and delight, as well as taking their sound across hometown Brighton and festivals in the UK. This feels like the dawn of a new Eden for The New Eves (if you pardon the pun) and we’re waiting with baited breath.
19. YOWL
Location: London
Genre: Rock, Folk, Indie
You’ve most likely heard of them, if not then Pirate fave’s YOWL have been impressing us with their droll, macabre lyrics and melody with absurd storytelling and scuzzy guitars for the last couple of years. They released their debut album, Milksick, last year and no doubt are playing loads of festivals in 2024. If they’re on the line up they’re not one to miss.
20. Harleighblu
Location: Nottingham
Genre: Neo-Soul, R’n’B
Harleighblu has made a name for themselves in the UK Neo-Soul scene, with critically acclaimed albums and tight collaborations with producers Illa J and Bluestaeb, the Nottingham native is sure to have their big break any time soon. Playing at an upcoming Pirate Showcase - be sure to be there to say you say them first.
21. Good Health Good Wealth
Location: London
Genre: House, Indie, Indie-pop, Electronic
Good Health Good Wealth met in a Spoons and solidified their sound, after a lot of experimentation, during lockdown. They pull from everything from arena rock, punk, alternative indie, Daft Punk and more. We've loved seeing them perform at our Pirate showcase this year so be sure to grab tickets and improve your health and wealth.
The UK music scene has always been multi-faceted, with a penchant for the underground and individual. Above are the bands we think are gonna be huge news this year, their unique sound making important statements across the country.
If you’re ready to up your band’s sound and get that practice time in, our rehearsal studios and recording studios are always there. Get practising and maybe we’ll see your band on the list next year.
