Okay, so the following are predictions for acts that all the signs are pointing towards them being big next year. This could be because they're making great music,because they're making shit music that is popular, or because they're in all the right places with all the right people behind them.


Bear in mind these aren't necessarily all good, far from it in some cases...either way, here goes...




The But-You-Already-Knew -These-ers:

The Vaccines-  Seemingly from nowhere this mob, fronted by former Camden mini-hero Jay-Jay Pistolet, burst out a couple of months ago, and since then have been getting legs up from Zane Lowe and every other DJ across the land who wants to bag a sure bet.  To be fair, ‘Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)' is good fun- all echoey vocals and frantic scuzzy guitars.  Sound a bit like The Libertines fronted by Noel Gallagher, and they’re going to be everywhere by next summer so you might as well accept it and be thankful that they’re better than White Lies.



The I’ve Heard This Somewhere Before-ers:

Wolf Gang-  Mr Gang, or one man band Max McElligot, has been bubbling for a while now, before recent single ‘Lions In Cages’ bagged itself some major radio play.  His debut album is released on Atlantic Records next year and at times he sounds an awful lot like MGMT before they decided they didn’t want to be as popular. 

Naked and Famous- Like Mr Gang, these were discovered by Neon Gold.  All big chorus’s, synths and vaguely blurred vocals that make them sound an awful lot like MGMT before they decided they didn’t want to be as popular.



The next Lily/Adele/Florence/Ellie/Marina-er:

Spark- Inescapably compared with Marina and the Diamonds because she’s on the same label (679), and makes smart pop that is better than Ellie Goulding. 



The Can Sing Pretty Songs In a Pretty Type Way-er:

Pete Lawrie- Dull and good looking enough to be huge.  Sounds a lot like Ray Lamontange and James Morrison, and sings acoustic, guitar based songs about guys called Jimmy.  Occasionally uses strings for emotional effect.  Massive by next Christmas, whether you like it or not.



The Next Indie Boy-er:

Miles Kane- Major label backing, impeccable indie pals and credentials, interesting first single in ‘Inhaler.’ Its not as nailed on as Lawrie but we’ll be surprised if he isn’t fairly high up the bills at festival second stages.



Possibly The Savour Of British Rap-er:

Dels-  Thank fuck, this sounds nothing like Cruz, Dubz, Stryder or any other of those cunts making unfeasibly popular music.  Produced by Joe Goddard from Hot Chip, Dels makes intelligent, danceable hip-hop that will appeal as much to the indie boys as much as it will to the B-boys.  Maybe heir to Roots Manuva; we like him a lot.



The Guitars Are Taking Over-ers:
 
Mazes- Adored by the Male Bonding and Dum Dum Girls crowd, they are dreamy and hooky enough to take themselves out of East and into the semi-mainstream. Just signed to Fat Cat who will be a perfect fit.


Tribes- Grotty and popular yet seemingly unbothered about using a synth, they are one of a number of bands behind what is starting to look like a movement towards bringing guitar music back.  Huzzah!



The Should Be But Wont Be-ers:


Ryan O’ Reilly Band- Their Emily E.P made nothing even approaching a ripple, but it was Mumford and Sons with soul and in ‘John Keats’ had one of the most impossibly melancholy songs of the year. Might be a little late to ride on the back of the folk explosion, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pick them up.

Lazarus and the Plane Crash-  Possibly the most entertaining live band on the planet. 

Posted In Features, Nov 23 2010. Words - David