15 exciting Scottish artists on our radar
Scotland sure does produce some note-worthy musicians — get to know our top picks.
Scotland is famous for many things – rainy days, Irn Bru, deep-fried Mars bars, a YouTube video (where two girls sing Cher Lloyd by Cher Lloyd and why we’ll forever be associated with ‘disgustang’) – and, although not all of these are great (you can decide which ones are), one thing Scotland can be proud of is its amazing music culture.
I mean, we all know the classics flying the flag for our country: The Proclaimers, Biffy Clyro, The Snuts and, of course, Scotland’s very own Beyoncé, Lewis Capaldi. But there are so many other Scottish gems out there that not enough people know about. So, we’ve put together a handy list of up-and-coming Scottish artists (in no particular order) so that you can get to know them now (purely for bragging rights).
1. The Big Day
Photo: Daniel Blake
Transcending the boundaries of indie music with their unpredictable pop-rock sound, The Big Day are a band that gies it laldy when performing their slick, bold and fun anthems. Despite only forming in late 2021, the memorable, frequently suited and booted four-piece have already generated significant momentum, with their first headline shows selling out, the band being named as one of four finalists in the 2023 BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year, and their first two singles – Fashion Statement and Bad Things – receiving national radio play.
2. Uninvited
Photo: Rosie Sco
Glaswegian indie-rock band Uninvited are already on the up and up as they have received support from BBC Introducing Scotland, recently performed in the world-famous Radio 1 Live Lounge, and are also set to play TRNSMT this year. Consisting of Taylor Ray Dillon (bass and vocals), Gillian Dhlakama (guitar and vocals), Bex Young (lead guitar) and Fiorenza Cocozza (drums), Uninvited hope to use their rousing guitars and flawless harmonies to break barriers in the music industry, by allowing and encouraging more non-male creative’s to be recognised for their talents through their music.
3. Tina Sandwich
Photo: Bandcamp
Tina Sandwich is the definition of noughties nostalgia, combining indie sleaze with synthesised pop to create a sound that could easily fit into any teen movie soundtrack. Brimming with hooks, catchy choruses, and punky guitars, her high energy sound is a theatrical fanfare packed with charisma. Having already made her debut at Glasgow’s Priory and opened the Belladrum Festival main stage, Tina’s antics definitely draw attention wherever she goes.
4. VanIves
Photo: VanIves
Hailing from a small town in Galloway, Stuart Ramage and Roan Ballantyne are the pair behind VanIves – a multi-instrumental, indie duo who combine their wide-ranging musical influences and joint childhood experiences to create an enchantingly gentle sound, featuring unorthodox arrangements and progressive digital production. Alongside the release of their debut album, Thanks, last year, performances from the pair have been much more than your average gig, with VanIves’ commitment to creativity ensuring that each of their shows is an entire visual and sonic experience.
5. Katie Gregson-MacLeod
Photo: Press
Last September, singer-songwriter Katie Gregson-MacLeod signed with Columbia Records after a 45-second snippet of her heartfelt piano ballad, Complex, went viral on TikTok. Soon after, she released her debut EP, songs written for piano: a refreshingly honest collection of tracks that beautifully showcases her powerful vocals amidst the melodrama of living as a hopeless romantic. With NME highlighting Katie as an emerging “songwriter for the ages”, things are only getting better for the 22-year-old from Inverness, who was recently nominated for the best song musically and lyrically at the 2023 Ivor Novello Awards, alongside the likes of Harry Styles, Tom Odell and Florence + the Machine.
6. swim school
Photo: Press
Indie-pop rockers Swim School plunged into Scotland’s indie scene back in 2019, submerging everyone who came into contact with them in their infectious guitar melodies and upbeat rhythms – including well-known Scottish radio DJ, Vic Galloway, who has repeatedly backed the group and branded them as “one’s to watch”. Since then, the modern-day rockers have played some of Scotland’s biggest music festivals, such as TRNSMT, Belladrum, King Tut’s Summer Nights and Tenement Trail, and have also recently released a new EP titled duality.
7. Callum Gibson
Photo: Press
Since releasing his first single in 2021, Callum Gibson has received playlist support from Spotify and has uncovered a much more refined indie sound from within his repertoire through his latest single Gaslight. Usually favouring solo acoustic music, the 22-year-old has this year moved towards a louder and fuller indie-rock sound, highlighting the diversity of his range, and signalling the promise of his future releases.
8. GIRLS.SPEAK.FRENCH
Photo: Press
From receiving national radio play, to supporting Joshua Grant at a sold-out gig at Glasgow’s King Tut’s, GIRLS.SPEAK.FRENCH have caught the eye of many this year, despite only releasing their first single in February. Britpop Genius is a compelling and fun earworm of a song that is an exciting indication of what is to come from the Scottish four-piece. If you’re not belting “Georgieeeee” by the end of the track, you’re probably listening to it wrong.
9. Parliamo
Photo: Lauren Kellie
Arriving with their debut EP in 2021, Parliamo have become known for their distinctive songwriting style, which often features witty social commentary, lively rhythms, earthy basslines and unconventional choruses. Having also developed a formidable reputation at their live gigs in recent years, the band have performed at many major festivals including TRNSMT, New Colossus and the prestigious SXSW. So, it’s really no wonder Parliamo have attracted the attention of the likes of Clash Magazine, BBC Radio 1, Radio Scotland, and KEXP.
10. Belly Rachel
Photo: Belly Rachel
Originally from Borneo, Belly Rachel first broke onto the Malaysian music scene at age nineteen, under the stage name MAYABAYU, where her first single charted at number one on a national radio station and she was selected as the sole female finalist in Malaysia’s inaugural Levi’s Music Project. Now based in Glasgow, the Malaysian singer-songwriter currently performs under her birth name, Belly Rachel, under which she has just released her second single, Devil’s Bargain. Often singing about heartbreak, Belly’s music is sure to be an emotional listen, but one that we can guarantee is worth it.
11. Ben Walker
Photo: Ben Walker
After kick-starting his music career in 2021, Ben Walker soon shared the stage with a number of notable Scottish indie artists, such as Kyle Falconer and Calum Bowie, and also sold out his first headline show. The singer’s first single, High Tower, racked up over 40,000 streams on Spotify, while his second release, Lost, recently received playlist support on the platform. Featuring tight beats, expressive vocal delivery, and rhythmic sections that are layered with precision, Ben really has shown that he is a skilled musician who is definitely one to watch.
12. Spyres
Photo: Press
With their polished harmonies and well-crafted songs, alt-rockers Spyres have already made a name for themselves in the Scottish indie scene, being described as a “prodigious outfit” by Tenement TV and having their debut EP, Dear Diary, featured on Kerrang!. The band from Lanarkshire signed to LAB Records in early 2022 and have since toured around the UK, as well as played a sold-out headline show at St. Luke’s, one of Glasgow’s most iconic venues. With such a quick and successful start to their career, Spyres seem destined for big things.
13. Humour
Photo: Craig R McIntosh
Glasgow punks Humour have invented what can only be described as their own unique formula for music – kooky, yowled vocals, improvised lyrics and a load of riotous guitars. You never know quite what you’re going to get from the band, but that’s exactly what makes them so good. As their name suggests, they’re not a band that takes themselves too seriously, and are more than willing to embrace the ridiculous aspects of their sound. Often entering areas of extremity in their music, their songs are absurd in the best way possible. So, unsurprisingly, they have turned many heads in the industry, picking up airplay on Radio 1, and having the likes of NME, DORK and Tenement TV backing their music.
14. Quiet Houses
Photo: Press
Quiet Houses are an indie-folk duo made up of Edinburgh-bred Hannah Elliott (vocals, violin, keyboards) and Jamie Stewart (guitar, vocals). Since forming in 2018, the pair have developed a trademark sound, blending indie-folk qualities with heavenly pop production through their gentle instrumentation and Elliot’s breathy vocals. In recent years, the duo have performed a number of headline shows in Manchester & Edinburgh, and were also featured on BBC Introducing Celtic Connections. In their latest EP, Since July, Quiet Houses look back fondly on their memories of growing up together in Edinburgh in a set of tracks that are a truly gorgeous sonic experience.
15. Dead Pony
Photo: Press
Since rebranding as Dead Pony in early 2020 and signing with LAB Records, the Glasgow rock band’s popularity has continued to increase year on year. Not only have they generated a whopping 57,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, but they also played the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury in 2022. With such insanely energetic guitar riffs, upbeat drums and catchy choruses, it is easy to understand why. They are a rock band for rock fans, and we love ‘em.
Are we missing one of your favourite Scottish up-and-comers? Get in touch, tell us all about them and stay tuned for more when the time comes!