Let’s be honest, the UK is best known for its bad weather and continuous rainfall. But if we are talking about music, there is no denying that some of the biggest indie and rock artists have come from this very country. The Beatles, Oasis, Blur, Led Zeppelin, for example, all found their humble beginnings here. Their spirit still carries the musicians of today, which is why I would like to introduce five British artists of the current scene. Drum roll for…

HIMALAYAS are a promising young band from South Wales who made intense yet crowd-pleasing melodic indie rock their spiel, a sound that can only really be experienced in person. Back in Cardiff, they have spent the last few years creating their style. Heavy guitar lines, dual vocals and big catchy hooks capture their audiences – old and new. The four-piece has played numerous festivals, sold out local venues, and holds an impressive amount of radio and international interest already. Last month, they even got to support Foo Fighters in their hometown. The band consists of Joe Williams (lead vocals/guitars), Mike Griffiths (guitars/vocals), James Goulbourn (drums), and Louis Heaps (bass), who met at school and bonded over their love for bands like The Strokes, Queens Of The Stone Age, Muse, Royal Blood and Manic Street Preachers.  

HIMALAYAS’ own unique mix of loud fast-paced rock’n’roll has already earned them a loyal fan base. The band has been cutting their teeth on the live scene ever since, playing highly-regarded festivals including SXSW and Reading & Leeds Festival, supported the likes of Stereophonics and their idols Manic Street Preachers, and have played sold-out headline shows on their UK tour in June. They have also accumulated over 30 million streams on their 2017 track ‘Thank God I’m Not You’, on Spotify alone, where it can still be found on multiple editorial playlists. 

LEAP is the new project from London-based singer Jack Balfour Scott, previous member of the highly rated “boundary breaking indie-rock” band The Mispers. Then, in 2021, LEAP sprung to life. The release of their first two singles ‘N.L.T.D’. and ‘Where The Silence Goes’ landed support from the likes of Earmilk, BBC Radio 6, BBC Introducing, and Amazing Radio, to name a few. Their debut headline at the Omeara in London immediately sold out.

The release of their electric debut EP 1 Million Pieces followed in the summer of 2022 when LEAP had already built an extremely engaged following. With more than 300k streams across platforms, LEAP carry on their admirable rise to the top. With extensive editorial support on all Digital Service Providers, their music can be found on several playlists including “Modern Rock” and “Alternative Noise” on Spotify and “The New Rock”, “New Music Daily”, and “Fresh Blood” on Apple Music. Following another sold out headline show at The Victoria in London, and a number of European festivals over the summer, LEAP are securely placing themselves in the indie-rock scene as one of the most exciting up-and-coming artists in the UK.

From addiction to homelessness to bringing out a record on an unplanned Thailand trip, KID BRUNSWICK (legally known as Harry James) has had a remarkable past few years. The release of his debut ‘FXCK YOU CAUSE YOU WERE THE ONE’ back in 2019 has catapulted him right into the center of  the wave of young, emerging talent in the punk scene. 

Surprisingly, his biggest influences come from soundtrack composers Hans Zimmer and Christopher Nolan, as that is the music that moves him the most. It’s his undeniable talent paired with the drive to share his personal experience that makes KID BRUNSWICK such an outstanding artist. The West London singer, songwriter, and producer has found his calling in the creation of music. Especially during difficult times, he uses music as an outlet and a beacon of light. Growing up, KID BRUNSWICK always called on music to guide him and he began playing the drums from an early age. Unable to concentrate at school, he sought a career in music full time. Starting out, he worked with a bunch of different rappers and produced the tracks on his own laptop. Ten years later, he emerged onto the scene as KID BRUNSWICK – the artist he is today. The release of his 2021 tape XFOREVER marks the starting point of his career as one of the most exciting young artists to watch. An unfortunate situation with his former label then put a hold to his success. But the young talent did not let that stop him. He’s back with a promise – more hits are “consistently” on the way. He’s best known for his song ‘Prescription Kid’ and his collaboration with Casseyette. In anticipation for the release of his new EP dead forever, the 21 year old just dropped his new single with pop punk band Beauty School Dropout – ‘Out of Style’.

Nova Twins are a London-based rock duo formed in 2014, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Amy Love and bassist Georgia South. Their last album, Supernova, was shortlisted for the 2022 Mercury Prize and brought the band two BRIT Awards nominations in the following year. They perfectly capture the zeitgeist of the current rock music scene, with their contrasting influences from punk, rap, pop, rock, and more. Their sound knows no one genre and combines all their influences effortlessly. The band made it their mission to blaze a trail of diversity and difference, eager to move away from what is safe and familiar. That approach led them from being looked down on to leading the scene in just a short while.

By now, Nova Twins have played gigs across the UK, EU, and US, including a fully packed headline show at Electric-Brixton. They covered Beyoncé’s ‘Break My Soul’ as part of BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge Month and later collaborated with Sam Smith on a remix for their song ‘Unholy (Feat. Kim Petras)’. Just before their 2023 Glastonbury performance, Elton John praised Nova Twins, calling the duo one of his top 4 acts to watch with the words: “these girls rock my world… they are just for me phenomenal”.

Alternative rock trio THE HARA are one of the most promising heavy bands of the scene right now. Their sound is a combination of emotive lyrics, heavy rhythms, and intense energy. The band was formed by frontman Josh Taylor, who was looking for band members from the Manchester area online. For a while it was only him and guitarist Zack Breen, to the point where they contemplated staying a two piece. Luckily, Taylor remembered Jack Kennedy from university, and after a drum session, THE HARA was born. Even though there are only three of them, the band has crafted the art of emulating thirty instruments on stage, including a wild live performance to match. 

Their first EP No Regrets gained #2 in the Alternative iTunes Charts straight after the drop, only to be followed up with Unconscious Minds Innocently Blind, their second EP, which stormed the UK #1 spot in the iTunes ‘Best Sellers Chart’ for three days in a row, even before its actual release. Their debut album Survival Mode rose to #3 in the Rock & Metal UK Official Charts.

THE HARA built their high-energy rock sound and performance after their influences from classic bands like Queen, AC/DC, and Guns ‘n’ Roses, while adding their own modern twist on it with their dirty riffs, banging drums, and chilling vocals. Recently they’ve locked themselves away to write their second album, finishing their tour with industry giants Escape the Fate and Ice Nine Kills.