By Jack Holmes
2015 was an amazingly successful musical journey, from stunning debuts, to surprisingly original follow ups. 2016 is shaping up to be just as much of an influential year in the music timeline. With that in mind, here’s five artists, both old and new that you might want to watch out for through the next twelve months.
Muncie Girls
First up are Exeter newcomers Muncie Girls. Forming back in 2010, Muncie Girls have been building up a solid underground reputation through a relentless touring and recording cycle through which they’ve evolved their style, and even their line-up. Their debut album ‘From Caplan to Belsize ‘will be released through Specialist Subject Records on the 4th of March. If you like your DIY indie punks, definitely have a listen below.
Last of the Shadow Puppets
From the Exeter underground, to some of the biggest names in rock. Arctic Monkeys singer Alex Turner and ex Rascals frontman Miles Kane’s debut album, “Age of the Understatement” made the UK number one spot back in 2008 and since then fans have been relentlessly clamouring for more. With Miles releasing another two solid solo albums and Arctic Monkeys virtually rewriting what it means to be mainstream British indie rock since however, there’s been little time for the duo to get back into the studio. 2016 seems to be the year when the waiting will finally pay off however with two teasers being released through the bands Facebook and Youtube channels, finally confirming the untitled album for a Spring 2016 release. Keep your eyes peeled folks.
All Tvvins
The Dublin duo of Lar Kaye and Conor Adams have been creating some of the catchiest indie synth pop you’ve likely heard in a long while. Having already won over a fanbase touring with the likes of Arcade Fire, Jungle and the Pixies, All Tvvins seem to have developed a knack for the music industry, and 2016’s looking like the year they’ll finally take it by storm.
Biffy Clyro
The Edinburgh three piece are expected to launch their seventh album in the latter half of 2016. I know I feel old too. 2015 was described by singer Simon Neil as the bands “year off” but with the first new tracks beginning to find their way into the bands setlists, we can expect to hear a lot more from the Biff throughout their March UK tour, prior to the new album’s release.
Blossoms
Finally one of Manchester’s own home grown talents, well they’re from Stockport which is close enough. With a mere two EPs released on James Skelly of The Coral’s Skeleton Key Records offering up a perfect hat-trick of singles, not only should you be inclined to develop a taste for Blossoms because they’re local, but because they’re very, very good.
Who will you be keeping an eye on throughout 2016? Is there an underground talent we all just simply have to hear? Let us know @holmesblogs or @HumanityHallows
By Megan Levick A new exhibition celebrating female cyclists and tackling issues around women’s safety in urban spaces has launched at Manchester Central Library this month in celebration of International Women’s Day 2025. The aAh! Magazine X Lights Up Exhibition will run from 03 March to 29 March 2025 and showcases a range of multimedia…
Featured image: Alison Hall Future Media Production student Gracie Hall takes home top music photography award A Manchester Metropolitan University student has claimed a top national photography award, winning the Photographer of the Year title in the music category at the London Camera Exchange 2025. Gracie Hall, a BA Future Media Production student, impressed judges with her…
Featured image: Edward Firman There is no better combination than a good book and a hot cup of coffee; it’s the ultimate feeling of cosiness no matter the season. However, there’s something comforting about rainy days in Manchester, when the skies are gloomy and you stumble upon an independent bookstore. Over the years, bookstores have…
Featured image and gallery: Eden-Hopkins Fermo Manchester Met’s GoGlobal Week initiative continued on Wednesday with an event featuring award-winning poet Jason Allen-Paisant and acclaimed writer and Contemporary Fiction Professor Monique Roffey. Launching his first non-fiction book, The Possibility of Tenderness, Allen-Paisant and Roffey explored the themes of his memoir, dissecting his personal history and the…
Leave a reply