2025 came and went, zooming by in a blur of showstopping tours and festivals. It brought the release of new music from artists like Taylor Swift and Florence + The Machine, and sold out tours from performers like Twenty One Pilots and Billie Eilish. It was a year defined by spectacle, scale, and cultural moments that reminded fans why live music continues to thrive.
With 2026 comes a new wave of music arriving alongside a new class of artists ready to make their mark. From electric festival standouts gaining momentum to rising acts stepping confidently onto bigger stages, these musicians are shaping the sound and energy of the year ahead. These are the 26 artists poised to define 2026.
Since storming onto the alternative music scene in 2015, Jutes has proven himself as a pivotal force in today’s alt-rock landscape. Initially rising within hip-hop and alt-pop, he embraced heavier musicality culminating in his 2025 album Dilworth, which blends emotional songwriting with an intense guitar-driven sound. Dilworth dropped in December and was supported by standout singles like “It Takes Two,” which the singer performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, marking his first late-night TV appearance. Building on sold-out North American dates, Jutes will headline his first major U.K. and Europe tour in May 2026 — including stops in Glasgow, Manchester, London, Berlin, and Paris — making next year pivotal for his global rise.
Since stepping onto the scene in 2018 with her single “Reason to Stay,” the U.K. R&B singer, Olivia Dean, broke through in 2025 with her platinum hit “Man I Need,” which topped the U.K. charts and broke into the Billboard Hot 100. She earned a 2026 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and has already hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart early this year. Olivia Dean will spend 2026 on her largest headlining tour yet—The Art of Loving Live—with arena dates across Europe, the U.S., and Australia, making next year one to watch as her global force continues to gain momentum.
The dreamy, psychedelic-soul band The Marías are quickly rising to new heights. As another Grammy nominee for Best New Artist, and with their single “Back to Me” standing out in 2025, the group spent the last year performing packed festival sets and their extended Submarine Tour across North America, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. With growing global buzz, notable collaborations, and strong chart presence, 2026 promises even more momentum as the band’s immersive live shows and expanding fanbase continue to elevate them.
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Amelia Moore made waves with her EP he’s still just not that into you!, blending emotional alt-pop with bold synth-driven hooks. In 2026 she’ll support Zara Larsson on the Midnight Sun Tour across North America and join Ashnikko in Europe, giving her massive global exposure. With a debut album in the works and fast-growing buzz from tastemakers and fans alike, 2026 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year.
2026 is poised to be a big year for nu-metal singer-songwriter Amira Elfeky. With two EPs under her belt, she’s set to support Bring Me The Horizon on their North American Ascension Program 2 tour—including arena dates and major festival stops like Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple—and make her Australian debut with Thornhill’s Bodies tour. Her genre-blending heavy sound and rising global exposure make her one to watch as she continues pushing nu-metal forward.
With the release of their 2025 album Iron—their first LP in years and a reunion with original member and Stranger Things star Joe Keery—psych‑pop outfit Post Animal are in the midst of a new and exciting musical era. The band has toured sold‑out North American and European shows and will continue building momentum in 2026. Their evolving sound and renewed creative energy make them one to watch this year.
After going viral for her single “The Doll People” in 2024, Sofia Isella gained rapid momentum with a stunning performance at Bonnaroo in 2025 and sold‑out headlining shows. Her industrial‑leaning alt‑pop continues to evolve, and in 2026 she’ll open for Florence + The Machine on their Everybody Scream tour across arenas in North America and Europe, alongside her own UK/EU headline dates.
Australian pub‑rock band Amyl and the Sniffers continue to prove they’re one of rock’s most electric forces. With four ARIA Awards and a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance for “U Should Not Be Doing That,” their high‑octane sound is gaining global recognition. In 2026 they’re set to expand their reach with a North American tour supporting their acclaimed LP Cartoon Darkness as well as perform Bonnaroo and Governors Ball.
After stepping onto the scene in 2019, Rachel Chinouriri has carved out space in the pop world by blending soul and indie elements. In 2026 she’ll open for Florence + The Machine on their Everybody Scream tour across the U.K., Europe and North America, and play festivals like Bonnaroo, elevating her profile with massive audiences.
Since going viral on TikTok, Atlanta‑based pop‑punk band The Paradox (also known as “black‑182”) has opened for Green Day and Jack White, collaborated with Travis Barker, and electrified crowds at When We Were Young and Vans Warped Tour. Their debut project NSFW and growing millions of streams have set the stage for their biggest year yet, including major tours and festival appearances that could cement them as pop‑punk’s next breakout act.
Nashville‑based trio Moody Joody had a busy 2025 on tour with ARIZONA and made their festival debut at Austin City Limits. With their shimmering synth‑pop sound and debut EP Dream Girl gaining traction on major playlists, 2026 will see a full U.S. tour and the release of their much‑anticipated debut album, pushing them further into the alt‑pop spotlight.
After the release of their 2025 album, VAMP, metal band Magnolia Park has proven they are not slowing down any time soon. Last year was spent on the road and making appearances at Vans Warped Tour and Louder Than Life, showing the world their hard rock sound and energetic performances. This year, they will continue on a North American tour and fans can look forward to their sets at Sonic Temple, Welcome to Rockville and Download Festival in the U.K.
With her 2025 debut album Who’s the Clown?, Audrey Hobert earned widespread acclaim and a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 for her impact in music. Her sharp alt‑pop sound and boundary‑pushing storytelling have attracted fans worldwide, and in 2026 she’s set to embark on The Staircase to Stardom Tour across the U.K., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, building on sold‑out shows and major buzz.
With the release of their 2025 album NeverAlways, The Band CAMINO entered a new chapter, expanding their alt‑rock sound and selling out shows around the world. In 2026 they’ll continue the NeverAlways Tour with headline dates across Australia and New Zealand, bringing new singles and an expansive live show to global audiences and solidifying their continued upward trajectory.
As pop‑metal and metalcore dominated rock in 2025, alt‑metal duo sace6 introduced themselves with their debut EP Limerence, defining their ethereal, heavy sound. In 2026 they’ll support Don Broco and nothing,nowhere. before joining Dayseeker’s The Pale Moonlight Tour alongside Northlane & Wind Walkers, gaining exposure on major North American dates and pushing their boundary‑blending style to new audiences.
Hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas, Sawyer Hill has made a name in the alternative rock scene with his progressive twist on music. In early 2024, he topped Spotify’s Viral 50 chart in the US, with 65 million views and 120 million video views. He released his debut album Heartbreak Hysteria last year, toured with Yungblud, and made an appearance at Austin City Limits.
American pop-rock band, Honey Revenge, stepped onto the scene in 2021 and hasn’t hit stop since. After a stop at D.C.’s Warped Tour and headline tour that concluded last July, the trio immediately went on to open for Spiritbox and to perform at Orlando’s Warped Tour in the fall. In 2026 they’ll hit Europe and the U.K. with labelmates Rain City Drive, growing their international fanbase and teasing new music amid rising buzz from festival appearances and dynamic live shows.
Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Balu Brigada released their debut album Portal in August, making their mark on indie rock sound. The duo spent the past year touring across North America, the U.K. and Europe. 2026 will see them continuing to tour Europe, proving that they are not slowing down.
Since the Seattle-bred heavy-pop band The Home Team signed to Thriller Records in 2023, they became known for their genre-blending sound and electrifying live shows. After a sold-out headlining run this past fall in the U.S., they’re poised to break even bigger in 2026 supporting Bilmuri on The KINDA HARD Tour this spring.
With his headlining tour on the horizon, Bilmuri is set to have an electric 2026. As one of the founders of Attack Attack!, Bilmuri has been making moves in the rock scene since 2007, and has since continued to make waves as a solo artist. 2025 saw him at Welcome to Rockville, as well as a handful of other festivals, like Shaky Knees festival in Atlanta, Lollapalooza in Chicago, and Reading and Leeds Festivals in England.
Lyn Lapid is a Filipino-American indie pop storyteller whose candid, genre-defying debut album Buzzkill dropped last April to critical buzz and emotional acclaim. Since headlining a tour across North America, the U.K., and Europe, her fluid, heartfelt songwriting and dynamic live shows have marked her as an artist to keep an eye on.
As an outspoken advocate against AI in the music industry, Holding Absence went viral for an anti-AI tweet that garnered over 2.5 million views last year. Along with speaking out, the Welsh rock band also made appearances at When We Were Young and Warped Tour. Though they’ve released no new music since 2023, the band has teased and shared there will be new music and more touring in 2026. So far, their current lineup for the year has them performing at Sonic Temple and Welcome to Rockville.
Founded in Austin, Texas, Colorblind dropped their high-voltage EP Who Sold You This Truth in September via Solid State Records. After an electric performance at Inkcarceration Festival 2025 and earning early buzz, they’re set to play Rockville 2026, cementing their place as an artist to watch this year, with explosive riffs and relentless energy.
Following her song “Wasteland” being featured in the hit Netflix series Arcane in 2024, last year saw Royal & the Serpent playing Warped Tour and Austin City Limits, as well as releasing a steady stream of new material that has the alt-pop community buzzing. Royal & the Serpent’s recent singles “Death Do Us Part,” “Carry Me Home,” and “Euphoria” have served as previews of her upcoming debut full-length album, with “Death Do Us Part” alone surpassing over one million streams and earning praise from outlets like Billboard.
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Asheville, North Carolina’s MJ Lenderman is an indie-rock and alt-country standout whose raw songwriting and gritty charm have earned him festival slots at Primavera Sound 2025 and Austin City Limits and sets at Summerfest. He was featured at number two Rolling Stone’s top songs of 2025 list for “Dancing in the Club.” After a 2025 headlining run and continued buzz from his 2024 Manning Fireworks era, he’s supporting Zach Bryan & Waxahatchee on major tours this year.
Molly Grace is a Nashville-based rising pop force whose debut album, Blush, dropped in September 2025 to widespread acclaim, blending glittery pop with bold storytelling. After a headlining tour and playing an All Things Go set last year, she’s hit stages opening for Betty Who and is poised for major impact in 2026 with her electrifying live presence.
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