Artists To Watch In 2024: 10 Rising Stars In Music

9: Omar Apollo

Achieving a serene blend of bedroom pop and soul, with a helping of Motown, the Mexican American singer-songwriter Omar Apollo has in a short time fully captivated the R&B space, lending his addictively satisfying voice to collaborations with the likes of Kali Uchis and Daniel Ceaser. He kicked off 2023 with a 33-date tour and has teased that we should expect more in the not-so-distant future. Calling his upcoming music more “manic” and “personal”, Apollo seems set to deliver big things in 2024.

Must hear: Live For Me

8: Adam Melchor

Keep an eye – and both ears – on soulful vocalist and folk artist Adam Melchor. The New Jersey-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter has gained attention in recent years for his feel-good lullaby-like songs, and if you frequent the folk space on Spotify, you can’t fail to have come across his big streamer, Real Estate. In the autumn of 2023, Melchor followed up his sophomore album with the cabin-core EP FRUITLAND. It was his first to be fully self-produced, and is rich in traditional storytelling, glittery melodies and soft acoustics (Melchor has credited the project for reigniting his joy in music). Definitely among the artists to watch in 2024, Melchor will be joining collaborator, friend and face of the vocal-jazz renaissance, Laufey, on her Bewitched: The Goddess Tour in 2024.

Must hear: BIGTIMEGOODTIME

7: Maude Latour

Maude Latour is most definitely a rising force within the indie-pop realm. The high-energy performer followed up four years’ worth of singles with her debut EP, Twin Flame, in 2023, and in turn has cemented herself as one of the artists to watch in 2024. Twin Flame follows Latour through heartbreak to new love to mourning, all while staying glittery and showcasing the 24-year-old’s zest and unique sonic identity. These tracks translate even better on stage, and, after a milestone performance at Bleached Fest 2023, we predict many more festival appearances from the NYC artist…

Must hear: Heaven

6: Budjerah

Australian artist Budjerah has been releasing EPs since 2021, but this past year saw his career enter a new phase when industry giant Ed Sheeran invited him along as the support act for The Mathematics Tour’s Australian leg. Budjerah has been honing his fusion of classic R&B, jazz and gospel in recent years, which has led to beautifully arranged synth-decorated tracks that show off his soulful vocal ability. His distinctive knack for storytelling has quickly gained recognition in his homeland and beyond, and the 21-year-old has given his growing fanbase a taste of what’s to come with the songs Therapy and Video Game, both of which are assumed to be from an upcoming full-length record. Fingers crossed…

Must hear: Therapy

5: The Last Dinner Party

Another influential force among the artists to watch in 2024 are BRIT Rising Star winners The Last Dinner Party. The London-based art-rock five-piece formed two years ago, but hit the ground running in a big way in 2023, releasing four electric singles. Abigail Morris (vocals), Emily Roberts (guitar, mandolin, flute), Lizzie Mayland (guitar), Georgia Davies (bass) and Aurora Nishevci (drums) also embarked on their first UK tour that year, including their Reading Festival debut and some major activity on the European festival circuit. All this and more has left the baroque-pop community on the edge of their seats in anticipation of The Last Dinner Party’s debut album, Prelude To Ecstasy, which is set to arrive early in 2024. The all-female quintet have been likened to an amalgamation of Queen, Kate Bush and Florence Welch. They’ve truly arrived with a bang, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Must hear: My Lady Of Mercy

4: Sarah Kinsley

Another breakout artist currently ruling indie-pop is Sarah Kinsley. With three EPs under her belt the 23-year-old has been soundtracking her self-discovery, and her latest release, the aptly named Ascension, showcases her effervescent writing, telling tales any 20-something will find familiar (she’s called the work a “tribute to youth”). One of the fastest-rising artists to watch in 2024, Kinsley occupies a spot in pop which is sonically rich, opulent and warm; when listening to such tracks as The King, it can feel as though the most mundane day-to-day acts belong in a movie. With her sound growing in confidence and her following snowballing, now’s the time to catch Kinsley in concert before she inevitably blows up.

Must hear: Oh No Darling!

3: Sekou

The youngest musician on this list of the artists to watch in 2024, Sekou is nonetheless one of the most promising. A BRIT Award Rising Star nominee, the 19-year-old got his start three years ago, after a video of him singing in a car park gained attention. Since then he has gone on to drip-release singles, many of which are steadily becoming streaming staples. The silky-voiced vocalist, hailing from a small town in north-west Leicestershire, performed the piano ballad Better Man on the BBC Music Introducing stage at Glastonbury Festival, in 2022, ticking off an incredible milestone early doors. A clear pop star in the making, he has gone on to perform on Later… With Jools Holland, been featured on BBC Radio 1 and has already attracted a dedicated listenership – all before releasing his debut album, which we hope will arrive at some point in 2024.

Must hear: Better Man

2: Ethel Cain

Ethel Cain’s genre-defying sound and ethereal voice has quickly catapulted her to the forefront of the alternative/indie world. Having carved out a path for herself with a fresh blend of folk and rock music, the 25-year-old has already amassed an eclectic discography, taking every song she writes to haunting levels of melancholy. Her 2022 conceptual project and debut album, Preacher’s Daughter, has been steadily building a cult following ever since its release, Cain displaying her unwavering vocal ability on larger-than-life tracks such as American Teenager – a movie moment packaged in a song. Naturally, she has taken her music on the road, and even supported boygenius during their first-ever UK tour. Her journey to dominance will continue in 2024, with a headline tour taking her across the US and Europe. We hope new music isn’t far behind.

Must hear: Crush

1: Chappell Roan

The pop world is about to see the meteoric rise of another big star, in the shape of Chappell Roan. With her distinctively powerful voice and effortless stage presence, we wouldn’t be surprised if 2024 is the biggest year yet for the 25-year-old singer. Roan has gained attention for releasing a run of consistently great singles ever since she traded in her life in Missouri, six years ago, for a go at the music world in LA. Her career trajectory took a massive upturn with the September 2023 release of her debut album, The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess, and with her disco-infused sound and celebration of queerness, Roan has attracted a deluge of fans, more than earning her the top spot on this list of artists to watch in 2024. Her unique stage presence is unfalteringly energetic yet calming, and she’s quickly managed to curate a safe and joyfully chaotic environment with her live shows. Roan’s colourful world is about to expand even further as she prepares to open for Olivia Rodrigo in the new year. Get ready to see the star’s bejewelled stage corsets and mane of red curls take the North American leg of the GUTS World Tour by storm!

Must hear: Red Wine Supernova

Looking for more? Check out the most-anticipated albums of 2024.