20 Homegrown artists to watch in 2025
The underground music scenes in the UK and Ireland are buzzing with energy. With genre-blending bands and bold solo artists, these musicians aren’t just making noise—they’re shaping the sound of tomorrow. Whether it’s shoegaze, indie pop with teeth, hyperpop or atmospheric folk—these 20 homegrown talents are building something fresh and exciting.
This is HMGRWN 2025, a handpicked list of the British and Irish acts who deserve your attention right now.
Annie-Dog
The Dublin-based artist explores the ever-evolving world of pop, blending influences of artists like Grimes and Pinkpantheress with her own stunning self-production. Her music is bold, captivating and memorable.
CHIG
Nu-Gaze? Yes, it’s a thing and CHIG are leading the charge. This Bournemouth band combine heavy riffs drenched in dreamy distortion, creating a sound that’s beautifully chaotic and completely their own.
CLAYM
Claym’s indie-infused pop sound with sprinkles of R&B is smooth, soulful and cinematic. His sound evokes the vibe of wandering through a foggy city at night—moody, atmospheric and endlessly cool.
Dirt Flirt
Dirt Flirt doesn’t care about playing by the rules—she effortlessly blends hyperpop with elements of indie and emo in her music to create memorable bangers that hit even harder in a live setting.
DREAM BOY
DREAM BOY brings together dream pop and shoegaze to create a lush, shimmering sound that’s utterly captivating. Hailing from Ireland, their music feels like the perfect soundtrack to lose yourself in.
Essy Sparrow
Essy Sparrow’s indie folk-pop sound is soft, intimate, and packed with heart. Her delicate melodies and heartfelt lyrics make every track feel like a warm hug.
GIRLBAND!
GIRLBAND! are one of the most exciting up-and-coming bands in the country. Their anthemic tracks are packed with razor sharp wit and enough energy to fill stadiums with their electrifying presence.
Izzy S.O
Izzy S.O is here to carve her own path. Her pop-rock sound is packed with bold attitude, catchy hooks and the perfect touch of rebellious edge.
Ledbyher
London-based Scottish artist Ledbyher is a genre-defying force. With a dreamy, atmospheric sound that blends bedroom pop, indie and drill, her music hits you hard—emotionally and sonically.
Malaika
Malaika has a way of turning heartbreak into catchy indie-pop anthems. The artist hailing from Dorset made waves last year with the excellent “villain”, a track that pairs captivating production with relatable lyrics.
MARiMARi
Liverpool’s MARiMARi is a standout emerging hyperpop artist who has already built a cult following. As a Japanese-British artist, she brings a vibrant and eclectic energy to pop music that’s impossible to replicate.
moleface
moleface doesn’t need to shout to be heard. If you’re a fan of The 1975, then you’ll love this promising act. Intimate, raw and undeniably captivating.
Mudi Sama
Mudi Sama blends indie with touches of soul and pop, creating a vibe that makes you stop and listen. With just one track out so far, he’s the kind of artist you’ll want to get behind before he blows up.
Ormella
London-based indie folk artist Ormella is known for her poetic songwriting and emotive, introspective lyrics. She blends acoustic guitar-driven arrangements with a voice that is both ethereal and powerful—capturing a unique balance of vulnerability and strength.
OVERSIZE
OVERSIZE are bringing shoegaze back with a vengeance. Their lush, fuzzy sound is drenched in emotion, proving once again that there’s nothing like a wall of guitars that hit you right in the feels.
Shefu
Liverpool’s queer alt-rock band Shefu is exactly what rock needs right now. With raw energy, infectious hooks, and lyrics that truly resonate, they’re the kind of band you’ll want to catch live before they blow up.
sona blue
sona blue’s music like staring out the window on a rainy day—dreamy, reflective, and achingly beautiful. He blends indie-pop with soft, atmospheric production, making every song feel like a memory you haven’t lived yet.
Stepover
Another highly-rated shoegaze band blending dream pop that instantly draws you in. This Manchester band also channels the raw energy of punk with a sharp, modern edge. Expect them to make a lot of noise this year.
thistle.
Hailing from Northampton, thistle. combine the atmospheric, dreamy qualities of shoegaze with the raw energy of punk, while also tapping into the melodic hooks of indie rock.
Travy
Rising Irish rapper Travy is carving out his own lane by fusing modern trap sounds with a raw, local perspective that speaks to the Irish experience. He stands out for his commitment to staying true to his roots, using his music to reflect on the challenges of growing up and living in Ireland.
You can stream these songs in our HMGRWN playlist on Spotify:
Photo Credit: Mudi Sama, MARiMARi, Ormella & CHIG.
