20 Most Exciting New Bands Of 2013

Have you heard anything really special yet this year? Music is rising, like an expletive-breathing (Azealia Banks), guitar-wielding (Haim), precipitous (David Bowie) dragon with a pony tail (Thom Yorke’s Atoms For Peace), killer cheekbones (Suede) and a velour tracksuit (Julio Bashmore and Hyetal’s ‘Speedway’). Eat your heart out Beowulf’s dragon.

Here’s 20 bands you need to know about for 2013 in glorious widescreen. Drop your own tips at the bottom, and listen to 57 of the new bands feature in the Radar issue in the playlist below.

  1.    Merchandise
  2. Photo: Tom Oxley/NME
    Tampa’s DIY trio are headed for big things judging by the raw power of ‘Children Of Desire’. Photo: Pooneh Ghana/NME

  3.    Haim
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    Photo: Roger Sargent/NME
    Three sisters from Los Angeles with killer tunes, amazing hair and a blue glitter drum kit. Photo: Emilie Bailey/NME

  5.    Palma Violets
  6. Photo: Pieter M Van Hattem/NME
    Even if you hated the soapy ol’ sweets (the poor man’s Refreshers), you’ll dig their namesake. Photo: Dean Chalkley/NME

  7.    Ratking
  8. Photo: Amy Brammall/NME
    Wiki (one of the XL-signed NY collective) joined Wu-Tang Clan on stage at one of their gigs when he was just 13. Period. Photo: Matt Salacuse

  9.    Peace
  10. Photo: Pieter M Van Hattem/NME
    Flying the flag for Midlands Indie, this Brummie quartet are ones to watch Photo: Andy Willsher/NME

  11.    Parquet Courts
  12. Photo: Press
    You’ve got to be pretty confident to name yourself after a floor, but this NY post-punk quartet have got it . Photo: Press/HeatherStrange

  13.    Goat
  14. Photo: Richard Johnson/NME
    The psych-afrobeat of Sweden’s Goat erupted last year with debut ‘World Music’. Photo: Richard Johnson/NME

  15.    Wolf Alice
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    Photo: Matt Salacuse/NME
    Pretty much every new indie band were at their Hoxton gig last night. For good reason. Photo: Matt Salacuse/NME

  17.    The Strypes
  18. Photo: Eoin Carey
    The Irish fourpiece play R&B covers along with originals. Remind you of anyone? And Elton’s a fan. Photo: Eoin Carey.

  19.    Swim Deep
  20. Photo: Press
    You wouldn’t get very far in that bath, sillies. This fourpiece from Birmingham aren’t going anwhere. Photo: Press

  21.    Temples
  22. Photo: David Edwards/NME
    The self-described “neo-psychedelic band from the Midlands” are definitely ones to keep an eye on. Photo: David Edwards/NME

  23.    Savages
  24. Photo: Mikael Gregorsky/NME
    Savages’ midday set at Field Day to an empty, flat crowd was one of my gigs of the year. Electrifying. Photo: Mikael Gregorsky/NME

  25.    Fidlar
  26. Photo: Press
    Fidlar means “Fuck It Dog, Life’s A Risk”. The LA grop make screamy skate punk that sounds dope. Photo: Press

  27.    Foxygen
  28. Photo: Stew Capper/NME
    This LA duo are described by their label as a “de-Wes Andersonization of The Rolling Stones” but don’t let that put you off. Photo: Press

  29.    Deap Vally
  30. Photo: Pieter M Van Hattem/NME
    Two valley girls making dirty, bluesy, glittery stomprock . Photo: Guy Eppel/NME

  31.    Joey Bada$$
  32. Photo: Press
    He’s got flow, connects, and knows a good beat. ‘World Domination’ is a good place to blow your mind for a start. Photo: Press

  33.    Jagwar Ma
  34. Photo: Press
    Indie-dance’s most exciting new duo hail from Australia. Photo: Press

  35.    MS MR
  36. Photo: Press
    NYC synth-pop duo’s debut is expected in May. Richard Johnson/NME

  37.    The Family Rain
  38. Photo: Press
    Have The Family Rain been raiding Coldplay’s wardrobe circa. ‘Viva La Vida’? Photo: Richard Johnson/NME

  39.    Loom
  40. Photo: Jean Nagai
    Here’s hoping Loom will complete the grunge revival by wearing Fruits Of The Loom sweaters. Photo: Jenn Five/NME

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