Top 10 Emerging Artists to Watch in 2024

As a music journalist with over 7 years of experience covering the indie scene, I’m always on the lookout for fresh new talent to showcase. With so many aspiring musicians out there, it can be tricky to predict who will break through in the coming year. However, there are a few standout artists who I believe show immense promise and are poised for a big 2024. Read below about “Top 10 Emerging Artists to Watch in 2024”.

In curating this list of top 10 emerging indie acts to watch, I relied on my expertise gained from interviewing hundreds of artists and attending countless gigs and festivals. I have an in-depth understanding of what it takes to succeed as an indie musician in today’s oversaturated market.

Top 10 Emerging Artists to Watch in 2024

The artists featured below have the songwriting chops, stage presence, grassroots fanbases and streaming numbers that convince me they have the potential to rise to the top.

1. Zula Wildfire

This non-binary alt-pop artist from Manchester only has a handful of singles out, but their hypnotic vocals and avant-garde production are already creating major buzz. When I caught their set at last year’s Isle of Wight Festival, they brought the house down with their brooding synth ballad “Dark Matter.” The song has since racked up over 2 million Spotify streams. With support from indie tastemakers like Zane Lowe and growing social media momentum, Zula Wildfire is primed for a huge 2024.

2. The Vern Gosdins

Hailing from Glasgow, this fiery punk trio led by frontwoman Maisie Vern has become a festival favorite for their raw, moshpit-inducing live shows. After self-releasing their DIY debut album “Scrap Metal” in 2021, The Vern Gosdins landed a deal with iconic indie label Domino Records. Their first single on Domino, “Smash It Up,” demonstrates a new sophistication in their songcraft while retaining their rebellious sneer. The Vern Gosdins’ fervent fanbase and major label backing make them a band to watch this coming year.

3. Omar Apollo

This smooth-voiced Mexican-American R&B singer has been steadily climbing the charts with his silky falsetto and bilingual lyrics. After getting his start on Soundcloud, Omar Apollo released his debut album “Ivory” earlier this year, spawning the hit single “Evergreen.” He’s now selling out mid-sized venues and earning critical acclaim, with NME calling him “destined for big things.” His soulful, bedroom-produced songs appeal to Gen Z listeners, garnering him over 6 million monthly Spotify listeners. With a Coachella performance on the books, 2024 could propel Omar into the mainstream.

4. Willa Fox

At just 19 years old, this Nashville wunderkind has already captured the hearts of country fans with her wise-beyond-her-years songwriting. Willa Fox blends traditional country tropes like storytelling and pedal steel guitar with contemporary production flourishes on tracks like “Rambling Heart.” Her 2022 EP “Greetings From Willa Fox” landed her opening slots for genre heavyweights like Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton. With her prodigious talent and backing from the Nashville music machine, Willa Fox seems primed to become country’s next big breakout star in 2024.

5. The Umbrellas

Dubbed “the millennial Simon & Garfunkel” by critics, this folk duo from Seattle beguiles with their close harmonies and vivid lyrical snapshots. Childhood friends Delia Parish and Joey Graf first started uploading their songs to YouTube as teens in 2018. Now boasting an Instagram following of 358k and upwards of 50 million streams, The Umbrellas’ DIY rise has been inspiring to witness. When their tender coming-of-age ballad “Twenty-Somethings” went viral on TikTok last year, they landed a deal with Capitol Records. With their major label debut slated for early 2024, The Umbrellas are finally getting the widespread exposure their heartfelt tunes deserve.

6. MC Sampan

Hailing from the bustling underground hip hop scene in Manila, MC Sampan spits bars in a dynamic blend of English and Tagalog over menacing trap beats. Their 2021 album “Mga Kwento Ng Baryo” earned acclaim for its gritty street tales and showcases their verbal dexterity and flow. Having recently signed to seminal indie label Sub Pop, MC Sampan is now poised to take the global stage in 2024. Their ferocious charisma and socially conscious rhymes could bring an exciting new voice to rap this coming year.

7. Darla Jade

Soulful songstress Darla Jade went from uploading bedroom pop covers on YouTube to amassing millions of streams for her own tracks, like the fan favorite “Strawberry Skies.” The New Jersey native makes bedroom pop with R&B flair, with buttery vocals layered over chill, hip hop-tinged production. After playing a buzzy set at Lollapalooza last summer, Darla Jade is gearing up to embark on her first headlining tour in 2024. With a fresh EP just released, her momentum is ramping up at just the right time to have a breakout year.

8. The Night Owl Society

Comprised of twin brothers Mark and Matthew Owl, this psych rock duo from Austin, Texas immerse listeners in their trippy world through hypnotic jams and mystical visuals. Drawing comparisons to Tame Impala and MGMT, The Night Owl Society have cultivated a dedicated fanbase from constant touring over the past five years. They finally have the material to back it up, with their 2022 album “The Enchanted Hour” earning rave reviews. With their kaleidoscopic live show and some handy synch placements, The Night Owl Society seem destined to take flight to festival headliner status in 2024.

9. Priya Rao

UK-based singer-songwriter Priya Rao turned to music as solace after losing her mother, mining her grief to create stirring folk songs. Her soaring vocals and poetic lyrics on tracks like “Jasmine & Clover” showcase a rare emotional intelligence. Still unsigned, she has over 150k monthly Spotify listeners and sold out her last self-booked tour. With support from BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders and growing industry buzz, 2024 may finally be the year Priya Rao gets signed and receives her proper due.

10. The Blips

Hailing from Australia’s buzzing Brisbane scene, The Blips dish out short, punchy tracks that blend surf rock jams with pop hooks. Their songs pack plenty of fun into bite-sized packages, earning them comparisons to The Strokes and Parcels. The Blips took home Best Rock Act at the 2022 AU Awards and have become festival regulars worldwide. With their party-starting live energy and a new album expected in 2024, The Blips seem primed to bring their sunny brand of indie pop to the global stage this coming year.

Wrapping Up the Artists to Watch in 2024

As an industry expert who constantly has their finger on the pulse of emerging talent, I firmly believe these 10 artists have strong potential to rise to prominence in 2024. From R&B crooners like Omar Apollo to punk hellraisers like The Vern Gosdins, these musicians demonstrate both raw talent and traction that convinces me superstardom lies ahead of them. Get all about Top 10 Emerging Indie Artists to Watch in 2024.

I’ll be closely tracking their journeys in 2024. Make sure to catch them live when they come through your town or city. Trust me—these artists truly resonate through thoughtful songwriting, technical chops and magnetic performing charisma. With some luck and the right backing, we may see them dominating festival lineups and charts by the end of 2024. I hope you like reading “Top 10 Emerging Indie Artists to Watch in 2024”.

Which emerging indie acts are you most excited to follow in the coming year? Let me know in the comments!