Upcoming artists to keep on your radar: 2024

Here at Bacchanalia we believe that all artists deserve a chance in the spotlight and to have their work shared with the world, no matter their popularity. This article details our favourite queer / non-binary / female artists that could be the soundtrack to your 2024; who knows, maybe we’ll be the ones to introduce you to your new favourite artist…

VENUS GRRRLS

Photo by Misha Warren

VENUS GRRRLS are a girly gothic rock band based in the wonderful city of Leeds, and their music is absolutely bewitching. Taking inspiration from Scooby Doo’s ‘Hex Girls’, Grace Kelly (GK) leads each track with her tantalising vocals, singing about all things witchy and wonderful. Some of their hit tracks include ‘Divine’, ‘Bloodsick’, ‘Sudocream Queen’, and ‘Lidocaine’, but each of their releases is sure to have you headbanging in an instant. It is almost certain that these grrrls are the next big thing, why not claim your spot as an OG fan while you still can?

Follow VENUS GRRRLS:

Instagram: @venusgrrrls | Spotify: VENUS GRRRLS | Apple Music: VENUS GRRRLS

Tough Cookie

Photo via @supafakes on Instagram

Earlier this year, Tough Cookie embarked on their first UK tour, supporting STONE. An audience favourite was their song ‘Something Punk Something Poetic’- despite only having four words, it carried such a high energy performance with the crowd starting mosh pits at every show. By the end of tour, their audiences were left anticipating their yet to be announced debut release, and since then the band has been feeding their fans hunger for music through their website, where they’ve been uploading live sessions of upcoming tracks. Drawing influence from bands such as Nirvana, Fontaines D.C., and Pavement, yet still upholding a sense of individuality, they’re definitely set to grow this year so be sure to keep an eye on them.

Follow Tough Cookie:

Instagram: @noodle_irl | TikTok: @toughcookieland | Website: tcigfy.com

Naima Bock

Photo by Holly Whitaker

Rising folk artist Naima Bock has been impressing crowds in London and beyond this year with various supporting performances and solo concerts. The second birthday of her flawless debut album ‘Giant Palm’ is coming up in July, and songs from it continue to captivate audiences far and wide along with regular additions of newer material – occasionally including the live version of one of her most recent releases, a beautiful cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘So Long, Marianne’ where the recorded edition showcases her ever-maturing voice harmonising as always with her extremely talented band and backing vocalists. On the 24th of April she released a collaboration with Joshua Idehen and Metronomy titled ‘With Balance’ and she is embarking on a solo tour across the UK with Dana Margolin of indie-rock band Porridge Radio later this month. It’s guaranteed to be a good one – don’t miss out!

Follow Naima Bock:

Instagram: @naimabock | Spotify: Naima Bock | Apple Music: Naima Bock | On Tour: https://www.naimabock.com/

BEX

Photo by Nick Davarias

Punk’s newest daughter, BEX, creates track after track packed with fierce feminine rage and edgy vocals. After releasing her debut EP ‘Scum’, BEX has received a befitting upheaval of praise from fans and publications, and after taking one look at the intricate artistry of each track, it is clear why. Songs from the EP include: ‘Don’t Date The Devil’, ‘Misogynistic D***s’, and our personal favourite, ‘SPYD4 K1NG’. Prepare for a year of rage-filled, intense bangers from BEX.

Follow BEX:

Instagram: @bex.b.e.x | Spotify: BEX | Apple Music: BEX | Patreon: BEX

SCRAPEGRACE

Photos by Olivia Cox

Scapegrace is a female fronted, Manchester based alternative rock band that effortlessly keeps music refreshing and exciting. They perform with such ease and the lead singer brings a graceful femininity to the room whilst still being grungy and gritty. ‘The Archive E.P.’ was released in 2023, which includes their debut single, ‘Cigarettes and Party Sex’. When they perform live, the venue becomes instantly energetic, and a feeling of togetherness and pure enjoyment is spread through a room full of strangers.

Follow SCRAPEGRACE:

Instagram: @weare.scrapegrace | Spotify: SCRAPEGRACE | Apple Music: SCRAPEGRACE

Lily Wolfe

Photo by Steve White (@thememorymaker21 on Instagram)

London based singer-songwriter Lily Wolfe is a promising up and coming artist. With 4 singles already released and an EP planned to be released very soon, she’s an artist to keep an eye on.

Follow Lily Wolfe:

Instagram: @lilywolfeofficial | Spotify: Lily Wolfe | Apple Music: Lily Wolfe

King Woman

Photo by Jason Thomas Geering

King Woman is one of Kris Esfandiari’s many elaborate and heavy pieces of work, and is now a fully formed band that create some of the most powerful and satious music of our time. You may have heard of King Woman as they supported Ethel Cain for a few dates on her Blood Stained Blonde tour, where at one of the shows Esfandiari joined Cain on stage to perform ‘Family Tree’. Or perhaps you’re familiar with their remarkable cover of ‘I Wanna Be Adored’ by The Stone Roses.

Either way, Esfandiari’s dark and ritualistic imagery seeps through the cracks of every King Woman song, whether it be through her unprecedented vocals or the band’s enigmatic skill. We strongly advise that you give their album ‘Celestial Blues’ a listen, we promise you won’t regret it.

Follow King Woman:

Instagram: @kngwmn | Spotify: King Woman | Apple Music: King Woman

Victoria Canal

Photo via Victoria’s Instagram

Victoria Canal is a singer/songwriter whose music predominantly focuses on grief and comfort in friendships. Her beautifully wispy but powerful voice is iconic and unlike any other, and balances out well with the soothing rhythmical strums of her classical guitar. After touring with Irish artist Hozier last year, she released an EP called Well Well. This EP is a delightfully mellow collection of six songs, all bringing with them feelings of honesty and love. She released her wholesome single ‘Chamomile’ earlier this year, which focuses on the experience of a trusting friendship and her struggles with depression. We are excited to see what she comes out with next, as she is touring this year and releasing an album in the near future!

Follow Victoria Canal:

Instagram: @victoriacanal | Spotify: Victoria Canal | Apple Music: Victoria Canal

Aunty Freeda

Photos by Willow Marie

Aunty Freeda are a wonderful Leeds based band, fronted by Anna Alfreda (whose vocals are undeniably eloquent and melodious!) Their most recent release ‘Evie’ is a masterpiece written in half English, half Georgian. Hearing Anna’s cry of ‘look away now, or fear for your family!’ is an experience that none of you should miss out on. Despite currently only having two singles out, the band still manage to play exceptional gigs in and around Leeds, serenading the city as they do so. We urge you to keep an eye out to see what comes next for Aunty Freeda.. We can’t wait!

Mayday Mae

Photo by Emily Oreste

Mayday Mae, an emerging young artist possess a talent beyond their years with an insight into the inequality of the music industry and the world in general that can’t be silenced. Through their most recent single ‘Girls into Music’, Mayday Mae protests the demure image of girlhood forced upon women in a whirlwind of satisfying feminine rage. Reminiscent of the riot grrrls this artist is paving the way for women to be treated fairly in an industry ruled predominantly by men who are too insecure to recognise women’s talents. Mayday Mae has two other singles ‘pin-up revolution’ for the coquette femme fatales and ‘bound’. So go and check them out whilst you can still gatekeep them as the girlpower rockstar you discovered when they hadn’t taken the world by storm yet.

Follow Mayday Mae:

Instagram: @mayday.ma3 | Spotify: Mayday Mae | Apple Music: Mayday Mae

Yasmin Coe

Photo by Matt James Billington

Yasmin Coe, a Manchester based indie singer songwriter, combines her raw lyrics and satisfying guitar riffs to make a concoction of fun sounding songs with heartbreaking meanings. Her most recent single ‘Promise Not To Care’ is incredibly healing as it follows a concept many listeners can relate too, when you love someone so much that their manipulations blind you until you are a shell of what you once where just trying to remember how you got to this dark place. Coe explains a toxic relationship perfectly through her songs creating a beautiful sense of catharsis. Her other two singles ‘doubt’ and ‘No Hope’ will also take you on an emotional rollercoaster, refreshing in a world where music has often become so meaningless. So go and check Yasmin Coe out for a vulnerable song with a good beat.

Follow Yasmin coe:

Instagram: @yasmincoe__ | Spotify: Yasmin Coe | Apple Music: Yasmin Coe

Ophelia Ray

Photo by Graham Pengelly

Ophelia Ray has a unique ability to craft the most evocative pieces of music, through her alluring and transcendental vocals and undeniably intricate lyricism. Ray’s ethereal imagery is presented through each beautifully-crafted music video and track she releases, each one more eloquent and melodious than the last. Her style is compared to that of Stevie Nicks and Siouxsie Sioux, and yet she still upholds a phenomenal sense of individuality and creativity throughout her work. Our favourite track of hers is ‘Medicine Man’, and we strongly recommend giving her discography a listen.

Follow Ophelia Ray:

Instagram: @ophelia_ray_lester | Spotify: Ophelia Ray | Apple Music: Ophelia Ray

Sophie Madison

Photo via @sophiemaddisonnn on Instagram

Sophie Madison, a Brisbane based pop rock singer, is writing the soundtrack for the eldest daughter, third friend in the trio, unable to focus and insecure type of girls. With just one single named ‘ANXIOUS’ out, Sophie is already cementing herself as an artist who creates the perfect summer songs that you just one to dance too whilst also filling them with lyrics that will make you feel seen when you’ve never felt more invisible or alone in whatever you’re going through. ‘ANXIOUS’ is a cacophony of pelting instruments and Sophie’s powerhouse vocals that will take you through the building up of a panic attack. So go and check her out as she is most certainly an artist on the rise.

Follow Sophie Madison:

Instagram:@sophiemaddisonnn | Spotify: Sophie Madison | Apple Music: Sophie Madison

Lucia & The Best Boys

Photo by Ronan Park

Emerging Glasgow Indie band, Lucia and The Best Boys, fronted by Lucia Fairfull, recently released their debut album, ‘Burning Castles’. A transcending piece of work which explores the resilience of moving on from the toxicity of relationships and learning to love yourself. Four years on from their beautifully written debut EP, ‘The State of Things’, Fairfull’s music has evolved as she conveys haunting melody’s, and alluring lyrics which Fairfull has woven into Scottish lore.

Follow Lucia & The Best Boys:

Instagram: @luciabestboys | Spotify: Lucia & The Best Boys | Apple Music: Lucia & The Best Boys

lucky break

Photo via @imyourluckybreak on Instagram

Raised in New York City but blossoming in California, lucky break’s dream-marbled vocals amongst a slow dance of peaceful instruments will take you to the stars. With her poetic lyrics weaving a whimsy-laced tapestry telling the story of a world drowning in nature but thriving in the certainty of a land not tainted by the toxicity created by human life. lucky break has gifted her listeners with a daydream of what the world could be like if we learnt to connect with each other and nature again, allowing us to hide under the canopy of her wise words and pastoral imagery until we are healed. With just her debut single ‘Honeysuckle’ out, revel in the safe space she creates as we anticipate what this phenomenal artist will do next.

Follow lucky break:

Instagram: @imyourluckybreak | Spotify: Lucky Break

Lucy Clearwater

via @lucyclearwater on Instagram

Lucy Clearwater’s is an outstandingly talented singer/songwriter who uses her honey-like voice and her soft, nimble guitar melodies to create songs that are wholly uplifting and kindhearted. Her most recent release was a single called ‘When You’re Down’, which brings attention to the importance of acceptance in friendship. Two of her other singles are included in this release; ‘Are You Ok?’ and a gorgeous, harmonious track featuring Emily Brimlow; ‘In My Drunkenness”. After finishing her tour with Victoria Canal this year and going on tour in the West Coast, we are looking forward to hearing what she brings out next.

Follow Lucy Clearwater:

Instagram: @lucyclearwater | Spotify: Lucy Clearwater | Apple Music: Lucy Clearwater

Lexie Carroll

Photo by Olivia Sofia Ferrara

London singer/songwriter Lexie Carroll has already stunned fans this year with her incredibly moving single ‘Evelyn’. This song, like many of her others, focuses on mental health. Carroll uses haunting guitar chords and nostalgic picking patterns that draw you into the wistful but peaceful experience of listening to any song of hers. Her most recent EP, ‘it’s difficult to talk’ is a selection of warm-hearted and melancholy songs, all with soft vocals and eerie guitar melodies that build up the foundations of such a sentimental EP. Earlier this year she toured with artist James Marriott, and is opening for him in four other shows this June. Her new single, ‘laundry detergent’ was released on April 24th!

Follow Lexie Carroll:

Instagram: @l.exiecarroll | Spotify: Lexie Carroll | Apple Music: Lexie Carroll