2024 looks set to continue to introduce us to an array of exciting new artists across many genres of music. Social media has proven itself as a promotional powerhouse for upcoming new artists, allowing anyone and everyone to have their shot at becoming the next big thing.
From catchy indie pop to experimental electronic sounds, these musicians are set to shake things up in your 2024 playlist. So, keep an eye (and ear) out for these rising stars on Missy’s One’s to Watch List for the upcoming year!
49th & Main
Hailing from county Kilkenny, this Irish duo consists of two friends who met in school and decided one summer that they would play around with music having no idea where it would lead them to. Their sound could be described as indie/pop, with some dance and house influence. 2023 was a huge year for them, completing a UK tour, as well as playing festivals such as Sea Sessions and Otherside. They now boast over 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify and if their latest release B.O.A.T.S (Based on a true story) is anything to go by, 2024 will be even bigger and better.
Check out – Up to Something, Catching Eyes and Don’t You Like It
Mae Stephens
Mae Stephens found herself a product of TikTok viralism when she uploaded a clip of her unreleased song ‘If We Ever Broke Up’. The song catapulted her career. She signed a record deal with EMI and the song was released as a single shortly after in February 2023, peaking at number 8 on the Irish iTunes Charts. She was also named TikTok’s number 1 Breakthrough Artist for 2023. The song is undeniably catchy and Mae has already been teasing new music for 2024.
Check Out – If We Ever Broke Up
Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean is one of the UK’s biggest rising stars thanks to her soft vocals and melodies. It’s difficult to pigeonhole Dean into any one genre, as she plays around with pop, blues and folk elements, admitting to drawing influence from the likes of Aretha Franklin and Lauryn Hill. The London-born artist was named as BBC Music’s Introducing Artist of the year for 2023 and she continues to grow in popularity. She has played stages as big as Glastonbury as well as gracing the stage of our very own Forbidden Fruit Festival in June of last year. She has no dates as of yet for 2024, however we don’t doubt seeing her on Irish soil soon.
Check out – The Hardest Part, Danger
Biig Piig
Another Irish act that has been making waves in recent years is Cork native Jessica Smyth, also know as her stage name Biig Piig. She first started out in 2016 when she began uploading her music to SoundCloud. She is currently signed to Sony Music and has an impressive 2.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Her most recent single ‘Watch Me’ was premiered on BBC Radio One’s Future Sounds following her debut mixtape ‘Bubblegum’ which was released in January 2023. She has a unique sound that will undoubtedly take her far, overlapping her dreamlike vocals on top of soul-esque pop and gentle hip-hop beats. She is the perfect soundtrack to your chill-out summer nights.
Check out – Feels Right, In the Dark, Oh No
Maneskin
The four-piece Italian rock band first found fame after competing on the Italian X-Factor after being spotted while busking on the streets of Rome. While they didn’t win, they later shot to stardom after winning Eurovision in 2021 and since then the world has been their oyster. Maneskin’s career post-Eurovision has matched only that of Abba (the Swedish band won in 1974 and had huge success to follow). The band has seen success after success, after having a sold out world tour this year, being nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist and featuring on talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The pop-rock band are experimental in their music and their style, bringing a breath of fresh-punk-air to the charts.
Check out – I Wanna Be Your Slave, Beggin’, MAMMAMIA
Daily J
Based in a small town in Blenheim, New Zealanders Jay, Jesse and Jonny Paul are three brothers who along with their friend Rick, formed a band in 2017. They embrace the tropical, surf-rock vibes that has the ability to transport you to an idyllic beach somewhere on the western hemisphere. Their synth-laced melodies share similarities with that of Aussie bands Ocean Alley and Sticky Fingers, so if that’s what you’re into I have no doubt Daily J will firmly hold a place in your music library.
Check out – Space, Left Me Like Summer
Noah Kahan
A singer-songwriter from Vermont, Kahan has had a whirlwind 2023 where he has exploded onto the scene being regarded as one of the years most exciting new artists. Whilst Noah has been making music for a number of years and has been signed to Republic Records since 2017, it was his song Stick Season which broke him into the mainstream and garnered millions of listens. As it stands he is now up for a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2024 and will be embarking on a tour which will see him play Dublin’s 3Arena on February 8th.
Check out – Stick Season, Hurt Somebody
Bea And Her Business
Bea Wheeler is another artist that owes some thanks to TikTok for helping get her onto the music scene. The Londonder began posting cover songs to her TikTok account during the pandemic when they began to catch the attention of the original artists, such as George Ezra for example. Her debut single Born to Be Alive was released in 2023 closely followed by her EP Introverted Extrovert. If you like to listen to the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae and Mimi Webb, we think you’ll like Bea!
Listen to – All The Boys
Inhaler
When your dad is Bono, it’s probably a given that you’re going to be blessed with the potential for stardom. Eli Hewson is the frontman in the four piece indie/rock band from Dublin, supported by guitarist Josh, bassist Robert and drummer Ryan. They released their debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This in 2021 and have an impressive list of achievements to follow. The album entered the Irish Album Charts at number 1 and entered the top 10 and 20 album charts in countries like Germany and the Netherlands. In 2023 they released their second album Cuts and Bruises, headlined the 3Arena in Dublin, as well as supporting huge artists like Harry Styles at the iconic Slane Castle last summer.
Check out – My Honest Face, If You’re Gonna Break My Heart