All Music Magazine UK - 10 UK Artists to Watch in 2026

UK Artists to Watch in 2026

If 2025 was about momentum, then 2026 looks set to be about arrival. Across grassroots venues, festival line-ups, and streaming charts, a new wave of UK artists is beginning to push beyond “ones to watch” status and into genuine breakout territory.

This list isn’t about predictions carved in stone, nor is it a definitive statement on who will define the year ahead. Instead, it’s All Music Magazine UK’s snapshot of the artists currently generating the loudest conversations, the most curiosity, and the strongest sense of forward motion — the names that feel primed to make 2026 their own.

Chloe Slater — Alt-Pop

Chloe Slater has been quietly turning heads in the alt-pop scene with her blend of emotive storytelling, catchy melodies, and experimental production. Her songwriting balances introspection with accessibility, making her a standout in a year crowded with emerging talent. Positioning her as one of the UK’s most exciting breakout artists for 2026.

Pastel — Shoegaze & Alt-Rock

Manchester-based Pastel have been steadily carving out a name for themselves with their shimmering guitars, driving rhythms, and emotionally charged alt-rock hooks. Their music balances the lush textures of shoegaze with the energy of contemporary indie, creating a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh. With festival appearances and growing online attention, 2026 looks set to be a defining year for this rising band.

Honeybadger — Rock Disruptors

Honeybadger’s rise feels rooted in sweat, volume, and word-of-mouth rather than algorithmic hype. Their abrasive blend of punk urgency and alternative grit taps into a renewed appetite for guitar bands that feel physical and confrontational. If 2026 sees a heavier turn in UK guitar music, Honeybadger look ready to be at the front of it.

Aziya — Eclectic fusion of alternative rock, pop-rock

Aziya’s strength lies in her ability to make guitar music feel dangerous again. Her riffs carry a rawness that recalls classic alt-rock while still sounding unmistakably current. Already gaining traction for her live performances, she feels like an artist who could quickly outgrow smaller stages as 2026 unfolds.

Sienna Spiro — Soul Storyteller

With a voice that cuts straight through production trends, Sienna Spiro’s appeal lies in emotional clarity and strong songwriting. Her ability to balance vulnerability with pop structure has already brought mainstream attention, but there’s a sense that her most defining work may still be ahead. 2026 could be the year her artistry fully crystallises.

EsDeeKid — Rap

EsDeeKid’s rapid ascent has been driven by a mix of mystery, charisma, and undeniable hooks. His sound sits comfortably between UK rap’s underground instincts and chart-ready ambition, making him one of the most intriguing figures in the current landscape. As attention intensifies, how he navigates the spotlight in 2026 will be fascinating.

Cardinals — Irish Alt-Rock

Cardinals are an Irish alt-rock band gaining traction across the UK . There’s few benedictions an up-and-coming Irish outfit would want more than that of Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten—and lucky for Kinsale rockers Cardinals, he named them “one of my favourite new bands” in a BBC Radio 1 interview. Pogues-esque ballads and post-punk swagger.

bib sama. — Rap

bib sama. thrives in the spaces between genres, fusing grime, jungle, and abstract rap into something deliberately hard to categorise. His music rewards close listening but also detonates in live settings, making him one of the most unpredictable artists on this list. In a year that values originality, that unpredictability could become his biggest strength.

Skye Newman — Soul-Pop

Skye Newman’s rise has been fuelled by emotional honesty and melodic strength rather than spectacle. Her songs connect across demographics, making her especially well-suited to festival audiences and crossover radio play. As her catalogue grows, 2026 could see her shift from breakout act to established name.

NewDad — Alt Rock

NewDad’s inclusion reflects a growing sense that guitar music is finding new emotional language rather than chasing old forms. Their sound blends brooding atmospheres with grunge-leaning weight and melodic restraint, resonating strongly in live settings. As UK audiences continue to embrace darker, more textured alternative acts, NewDad feel perfectly placed to step into a bigger spotlight in 2026.