Next big names for 2013

Kodaline

Dubbed the next Coldplay (but even better), Irish boys Kodaline released their debut EP, The Kodaline EP late last year. All I Want was brilliantly received and the band was soon nominated for the BBC’s Sound Of 2013 poll. Since then the foursome has made its way through America on tour, dedicating a song to each state the boys stopped at, and busking on New York rooftops. For every major show, they also perform a small acoustic busk in a modest venue, which goes to show what talented and able musicians they are. Debut studio album In A Perfect World is due to be released on 17^th June, and it’s not one to miss. Garrigan’s soft vocal harmonies in Love Like This will leave you melting.

For further information about Kodaline and future events visit here.  

Watch the video for Love Like This here:

Angel Haze

Another nominee for the Sound Of 2013, American rapper Angel Haze received early recognition when she recorded a cover of Eminem’s Cleanin’ Out My Closet last year. She’s often compared to Azealia Banks (though isn’t a fan herself) and has performed with Iggy Azalea, covering Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Otis. Dirty Gold will be Haze’s debut studio album, which is due for release this year. Be sure to watch out for this one.

For further information about Angel Haze and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Werkin Girls here:

Wolf Alice

Delightfully described by Clash as “the lovechild of folk and grunge”, four-piece Wolf Alice toured with Peace earlier this year and featured in NME’s Radar section after BBC Radio 1 aired Leaving You from their 2012 EP. Their riot grrrl-esque single Fluffy was released through Chess Club Records and sounds very Bikini Kill, while the more recent Bros is more shoegaze. Singer Ellie Rowsell has a phenomenal voice; we can’t wait to hear more from Wolf Alice this year.

For further information about Wolf Alice and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Bros here:

Studio Killers

Imagine a fusion of the Pet Shop Boys, Pink Floyd and Armin Van Buuren with an image similar to the Gorillaz, and you have Studio Killers: four animated cartoon characters (Chubby Cherry, Goldie Foxx, Dyna Mink and Bi-Polar Bear) performing electro-pop. The group’s witty, infectious debut single Ode to the Bouncer reached number one in the Dutch Top 40, and their upcoming new single Jenny is set to be a massive hit and an anthem for summer 2013.

For further information about Studio Killers and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Jenny here:

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

His music video for Thrift Shop has been viewed over 300 million times on YouTube, sold more than 2.2 million copies and reached number one in the US. His second single Can’t Hold Us also reached number one, making him and his producer Ryan Lewis the only duo in 20 years to have had their first two singles top the charts without being signed to a major record company. Macklemore’s feel-good vibes are refreshing, contagious and uplifting, and he has a message for us in all of his songs. An avid supporter of gay rights and same sex marriage, his track Same Love serves as a heart-warming anthem. We’ve no doubt that Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will be a huge name this year.

For further information about Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Same Love here:

Charli XCX

20-year-old singer-songwriter, Charlotte Aitchison, from Hertfordshire is Charli XCX, who wrote and features in Icona Pop’s club banger I Love It. She’s set to tour America with her friend Marina and the Diamonds, and then Europe supporting Ellie Goulding before embarking on her own tour, so you’ll certainly be hearing a lot from her this year.

For further information about Charli XCX and future events visit here.

Watch the video for What I Like here:

Chris Malinchak

You may not recognise the name just yet, but if you’re not familiar with his massive hit of a debut single So Good to Me, you’ve been hiding under a rock. After being championed as Pete Tong’s Essential New Tune and endorsed by Zane Lowe and Annie Mac, the summer love track debuted at number two in the UK, coming second only to Daft Punk’s Get Lucky. Chris Malinchak’s talent for producing restrained euphoria has got him this far and he can only keep on getting bigger.

For further information about Chris Malinchak and future events visit here.

Watch the video for So Good to Me here:

Haim

Californian indie-pop sisters Haim have received flattering comparisons with Fleetwood Mac, Warpaint and En Vogue since releasing their EP in the summer of last year – and the hype is deserved. Forever is one of those tracks you just can’t help but dance along to, and the same goes for other tracks such as Don’t Save Me and Go Slow. You can’t go wrong with girls and guitars.

For further information about Haim and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Forever here:

Sam Smith

21-year-old British singer-songwriter Sam Smith first reached our ears when he featured on Disclosure’s Latch, which peaked at number 11 in the UK Singles Chart. More recently, his vocals featured on Naughty Boy’s La La La, which entered the UK Chart at number one. Smith is one of the UK’s most talented fast-rising young pop singers and is expected to have several top ten hits over the next year.

For further information about Sam Smith and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Naughty Boy – La La La here:

Tom Odell

Yet another British singer-songwriter, Tom Odell, released his debut EP Songs from Another Love in 2012 and won the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award earlier this year. He was first discovered by Lily Allen, who remarked that his onstage energy reminded her of David Bowie – a very flattering comparison indeed. Odell’s debut studio album, Long Way Down is due for release on 24^th June and he will be supporting The Rolling Stones on 13^th July at Hyde Park, so watch out for him.

For further information about Tom Odell and future events visit here.

Watch the video for I Knew You Were Trouble here:

Gemma Whitfield