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.
- Merchandise
- Haim
- Palma Violets
- Ratking
- Peace
- Parquet Courts
- Goat
- Wolf Alice
- The Strypes
- Swim Deep
- Temples
- Savages
- Fidlar
- Foxygen
- Deap Vally
- Joey Bada$$
- Jagwar Ma
- MS MR
- The Family Rain
- Loom
Tampa’s DIY trio are headed for big things judging by the raw power of ‘Children Of Desire’. Photo: Pooneh Ghana/NME
Three sisters from Los Angeles with killer tunes, amazing hair and a blue glitter drum kit. Photo: Emilie Bailey/NME
Even if you hated the soapy ol’ sweets (the poor man’s Refreshers), you’ll dig their namesake. Photo: Dean Chalkley/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
Flying the flag for Midlands Indie, this Brummie quartet are ones to watch Photo: Andy Willsher/NME
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
The psych-afrobeat of Sweden’s Goat erupted last year with debut ‘World Music’. Photo: Richard Johnson/NME
Pretty much every new indie band were at their Hoxton gig last night. For good reason. Photo: Matt Salacuse/NME
The Irish fourpiece play R&B covers along with originals. Remind you of anyone? And Elton’s a fan. Photo: Eoin Carey.
You wouldn’t get very far in that bath, sillies. This fourpiece from Birmingham aren’t going anwhere. Photo: Press
The self-described “neo-psychedelic band from the Midlands” are definitely ones to keep an eye on. Photo: David Edwards/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
Fidlar means “Fuck It Dog, Life’s A Risk”. The LA grop make screamy skate punk that sounds dope. Photo: Press
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
Two valley girls making dirty, bluesy, glittery stomprock . Photo: Guy Eppel/NME
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
Indie-dance’s most exciting new duo hail from Australia. Photo: Press
NYC synth-pop duo’s debut is expected in May. Richard Johnson/NME
Have The Family Rain been raiding Coldplay’s wardrobe circa. ‘Viva La Vida’? Photo: Richard Johnson/NME
Here’s hoping Loom will complete the grunge revival by wearing Fruits Of The Loom sweaters. Photo: Jenn Five/NME