Wales,

Last year...

Playing SXSW in Austin, Texas and London. Played my first show in New York for SoFar sounds. Played Glastonbury 2025 and Greenman 2025.

Their latest project...

Released a single called CLARITY, featured on the Wales A-list.

This year...

Releasing my 2nd EP, I will also be going on my first tour next year.

London

Last year...

I played afromerm live shows in two new countries, collaborated with musicians I admire, composed music for two collaborative albums that were both pressed to vinyl (a long standing dream), scored a short film, released new single, 'swimming in my <3' and won a Youth Music Award.

Their latest project...

afromerm released her latest single, 'swimming in my <3'. "Some feelings hit you all at once but ‘swimming in my <3’ is about the ones that creep up on you slowly, start to reveal themselves, retreat when they realise they aren’t safe, and then ebb and flow in that cycle until they’re ready to come out." 

This year...

I have some exciting shows and releases in the pipeline for 2026 – including my NextGen funded project – I'm looking forward to sharing more about them soon.

North West

Last Year...

Akam has been carving out his place in the UK's underground music scene. He continues to perform and DJ across the North's most iconic venues, including THE FACE's greatest club The White Hotel, playing alongside artists such as Himera and Zukovstheworld. In 2025 Akam released 3 singles alongside 3 self-directed and produced music videos.

Their Latest Project...

In January, Akam is releasing his fourth single from his upcoming, highly anticipated album Superstar Music. 
He pairs this single with his signature visuals honed by working for artists such as Central Cee and PinkPantheress - to create a music video that is unmistakably Akam.

This Year...

An album, then a remix album, and then something no one expects...

South West

Last year...

In 2025, I wrote and recorded my debut EP Candy Coated Pain, funded by Youth Music. I had my first headline show and a pre-release party for the EP. I performed at a fashion show for the first time, as well as at Mentavity’s ADHD Amplified. 

I had my first interviews with Kickdrum Magazine and Clockwork Arthouse, a feature on BBC Introducing Kent’s Black History Month special, and my first spin on Reprezent Radio.

Their latest project...

My Debut EP Candy Coated pain, comes out Jan 23rd! Sonically, the project is a mix of HyperPop, Dance-Pop and Pop-R&B. 

This year...

In 2026, I’m excited to release my 6-track sophomore EP. I’m also launching my co-headline gig series, Alika & Friends, bringing together young UK talent in the more left-field pop and R&B spaces.

I’m hoping to make my first appearance at The Great Escape Festival in 2026. I’ll be speaking at a Neurodivergence conference in February about navigating the industry as a Neurodivergent artist.

South West

Last year...

I think this year my biggest achievements have been finishing my latest EP, pulling off a headline show in soho and performing in Paris too.

Their latest project...

My latest EP is called Sofia. A 3 track project that is my most personal to date. It's about living with grief after the loss of two members of my family and the swell of emotions that come with that. The name is inspired by a photo of Sofia Coppola I found one day that I felt encapsulated the feeling I wanted to evoke completely.

This year...

In 2026 I'm going to be releasing a follow up project called "Maria". This one is about growing up in Mitcham. Again this will be another exercise in trying to write more personal music as well as building a concise narrative and world around it. I also want to have a good few performances under my belt too!

London

Last year...

Performing a tour across Europe in prestigious venues and art spaces such as La Becque and Cafe OTO. My nomination with Youth Music was a great honour. My work has featured at Royal Ballet and Opera House and Fondation Sozzani in Paris. 

Their latest project...

My latest project drop arrives on 27th January under my other pseudonym Daēdah, which acts as an archive/publishing house for my archive, research, reference material and creative practice. The project will launch a new interactive website that hosts the archive in company with a mixtape called "The Maiden, The Architect and the Mediator". 

This year...

My plan is to release my debut album 'softfalling' on AD93 records. I plan to release a film to go alongside the project.

As well as a European tour of the album with a performance art structure and installation. The first iteration of the performance is on Feb 6th at Haus de Kunst in Germany and May 21st at Bozar Palace and a curatorial night at the V&A.

London

Last year...

Eden J Howells released their long-awaited six-track sophomore EP, “people watching.” The project received support from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 6, NME and Spotify Editorial. 

They played stages at festivals, including Boardmasters and SXSW London and were a quarter-finalist in the Isle of Wight Festival New Blood Competition. They played at renowned venues all over London, including a sold-out headline show at The Lexington. 

Their latest project...

Eden J Howells released the sixth and final track of their sophomore EP, the title track: ‘people watching’ in September 2025.

This year...

In the midst of writing for their next project as we speak, they’re looking to release new music later in the year. 

Also continuing to write for other artists that inspire them, landing some major support slots, and sharing more prose and visual projects alongside their music. 

East Midlands

Last year...

I played my first sold-out show in London, earned BBC Introducing and 1Xtra features, worked inside Abbey Road Studios, appeared in various magazine features, secured a marketing manager role at a record label, and built strong foundations and a growing network in London.

Their latest release...

I wll be focused on curating and rolling out my Alt R&B Project 'Survivor'. I have released three singles, Lush, Last Time and Whiteline setting the tone for the projects release.

This year...

I plan to perform as many liveshows as possible, featuring on festival lineups, rolling out my first alt-R&B project with a cinematic release strategy, and build a strong team around my vision. 

London

Last year...

Signing to legendary drum and bass label - Hospital Records. It has been really helpful having a bigger team around me to help push my hard work further. 

Additionally, I played in 7 countries this year, which is pretty crazy considering I only learnt how to DJ last year.

Their latest release...

I will be beginning another 3 singles campaign. The first single is called 'Where We Are' and that came out in November 2025. The next two are lined up for February and March 2026.

This year...

I want to keep capitalising on all the momentum I've built so far. That means collaborating with some bigger names, doing more shows and trying to reach new audiences. I might end the year with an EP - who knows.

London

Last year...

My biggest achievements this year include releasing my debut EP Right Of Way, being selected as a Youth Music NextGen Artist, and headlining a show at IKEA Oxford Circus.

Their latest release...

My latest project is my debut EP, Right Of Way. Across five tracks, I share honest, relatable stories with confidence and warmth, balancing introspection with uplifting, feel-good energy. 

This year...

In 2026, I plan to release new music consistently, building on the sound and storytelling introduced in ‘Right Of Way’ while pushing myself creatively. 

Live performance will be a key focus. I’ll also continue to grow my online presence and community. ‘HEALING ME’ will be my next release…

Scotland

Last year...

Winning the Greene King Untapped Competition judged by Sam Ryder, Danny Jones, Music Venue Trust and Jack Daniel’s. Along with supporting Sam Ryder at one of his Sold Out shows. And also being featured in Rolling Stone Magazine. 

Their latest project...

I’ve just wrapped up the making of my Debut EP which I wrote myself and co produced with my friend James Allen. It has also just been mastered at Metropolis and will be cut to vinyl by them also! I’ll be planning to release the project within the first quarter of 2026!

Next year...

I’ll be releasing my debut single early next year followed by my debut EP in the first quarter of 2026! I’ll also be playing headline shows across the UK!

London

Last year...

Experimental pop and electronic artist Koba Sno launched ‘expanded audio’, an explorative audio series, and marked the start of a new creative era with a live performance at HQI’s ‘360’ showcase, alongside guest mixes on Foundation FM and Loose FM.

Their latest release...

Their single ‘(crystal ball)’ fuses futuristic electronics with experimental pop, drawing from left-field R&B and ambient textures. Co-produced with BOBBIE (8485, Brooke Candy, Jessica Winter), it arrived with a self-directed visual.

Next year...

A new project is confirmed, with more arriving in 2026.

Northern Ireland

Last year...

Dizzee rascal support, Youth Music award nomination - rising artist & best original song.

BBC NI Artist of the year, PRS foundation - power up programme 2025,

Their latest release...

Singles run between now and then.

Next year...

UK, European and US festivals

West Midlands

Last year...

Getting chosen for the Youth Music NextGen fund, being featured on the cover of a magazine and working on my upcoming mixtape

Their latest project...

My latest project of 2026 is the opening single for my mixtape that will come out later in the year. I’m still working on it and expect to announce more details on it soon.

Next year...

To drop a cohesive interactive and entertaining body of work in the form of a multimedia musical project.

North East

Last year...

Releasing my debut EP on Hypercolour which featured 4 tracks all produced and mixed by myself. I put on an EP launch at Ormside projects, London which so many lovely people came too.

I debuted in Edinburgh, Manchester this year and my first guest show on Rinse! Released a colab with Nectax on Hooversound which led to a very special b2b2b with Sherelle and Nectax at the Roundhouse for Sherelleland. Then playing Bangface Festival for Hooversound in November.

Their latest project...

I have one track which i'm excited about called 'somni 451', its an ethereal trancey tune and it should be coming out in the new year. 

Next year...

I have a lot of plans i'm manifesting for tunes I've made / am making. I think I might have made two of my best tunes yet, which I have a long-term plan for. I really want to work with labels who have been supportive to me. 

I'm currently in Naarm, Aus for a couple of months and have being doing some shows here. So hopefully more aus/asia shows, then back in the UK, hopefully a UK festival. 

North East

Last year...

Starting the year tipped as ‘One To Watch’ by BBC Introducing North East, Rivkala’s 2025 has been full of exciting performances including; BBC Proms 2025 (aired on BBC Radio 3’s jazz show ‘Round Midnight with Soweto Kinch’), MOBO Fringe Awards and opening for Postmodern Jukebox both at Glasshouse International Centre for Music, SxSW Roadshow, Sofar Sounds, various festivals and gigs around the UK. 

She had her debut TV performance of her song Lonely Shade of Blue on BBC Look North, and recently won Youth Music 2025 Award for Best Music Video sponsored by Notion for her song Chess.

Their latest project...

Her debut EP, Crushed Velvet, released June 2025. In addition to the immersive Foley soundscapes throughout the project, her 3 music videos bring the scenes fully to life, and are available to watch on YouTube.

Next year...

She’s currently working on a follow up EP, supported by Youth Music’s NextGen fund, to be released throughout 2026, alongside UK touring plans.

London

Last year...

This year I broke new ground for Telugu hip hop globally, partnered with Universal Music Group’s Def Jam India for “BONG RIP,” and composed music for BBC’s Boarders, with tracks featured on a Warner Music Africa soundtrack.

My single “WHY WOULD I?” hit #75 on Spotify’s Viral Songs India chart, and I performed at major UK festivals like Boardmasters and The Great Escape. I also launched The Clique Records, securing funding to develop work that redefines South Indian music worldwide.

Their latest project...

My latest project is an independent single titled “BADI EGA D***ARU”, releasing on 18 December 2025. I am distributing it through AWAL as my second release with them.

This year...

In 2026, my main focus is to build on this momentum with a consistent run of releases and a strong visual and live strategy. I have multiple tracks ready and a clear rollout plan. Alongside this, I am continuing to develop my debut EP “Welcome to South India” under The Clique Records.

London

Last year...

Selling out the Blues Kitchen for my headline show and winning a Youth Music Award

Their latest project...

The Road Trippin' EP detailed a journey of travel but sort of reflected my journey of becoming the artist I am today. It is a 6 track EP that is the work that best represents who I am/trying to become as an artist moving forward.

This year...

More Music, More Shows, Bigger Projects.

North West

Last year...

BBC Radio 1 has championed my work this year, with multiple plays across shows hosted by DJs Sian Eleri and Jess Iszatt. My track Better Than You was selected as the opening track for Radio 1’s Big Weekend national special show. In total, my music received over 20 plays on BBC Radio 1 this year.

I performed at Radio 1’s Big Weekend on the Introducing Stage as the only producer booked all weekend, and later played to an ocean-backdrop set at Boardmasters Festival, which was a dream come true.

Their latest project...

The Tropics is my debut EP and has just been released in its entirety. I wanted to start creating bodies of work that encompass my sound in its purest form – a summary of my sonic journey.

This year...

Currently, I am collecting songs for my second EP. The sound will be deeper and more emotional, slightly veering away from party-starting bangers and into emotive grooves. This is the direction I want my music career to take: each era will feel different while still maintaining my sonic DNA.

South West

Last year...

My original music was used by Ray-ban and being mentored by Techno legend Richie Hawtin - he provided some amazing feedback that shaped my track "Kiss Kiss" released with Epidemic Sound. I performed at SXSW festival in Texas in March.

Their latest project...

Releasing a single in collaboration with UK Rapper 'Janset', called 'Running Around'. It's the first time female rap vocals have been fused with a melodic house track!

This year...

Writing bespoke sound to visuals - writing original music for fashion shows, advertisements and film.