2014 - Ones to Watch


With 2013 coming to an end, I figured that this was the perfect opportunity to come up with some bands and artists that I believe will have enormous success in the year to come.  So without further ado, here are four acts that you should certainly keep an eye out for in 2014...

Who?  Ella Eyre
For fans of:  Lianne La Havas and Jessie Ware
Previous work:  The singer's husky vocals featured on Rudimental's number 1 single, 'Waiting All Night', and she has also collaborated with the likes of Naughty Boy and Bastille.
Look out for:  Ella was a nominee for the much-acclaimed Brits Critics' Choice Award for 2014, so expect big things from her next year.  She has also just released the 'Deeper EP', her first solo EP, with the title track definitely being worth a listen.  I've just bought tickets to see her in London which I am incredibly excited about.  Grab yourself some tour tickets here so that you can say you've seen her first

Who?  Saint Raymond
For fans of:  Lewis Watson, The 1975 and Jake Bugg
Previous work:  Singer-songwriter Callum Burrows (AKA Saint Raymond) released his debut EP, 'Escapade' earlier this year, and he's just finished supporting Californian sisters, Haim, on their sold-out UK and European tour.  Songs from the EP have featured on television series such as Made In Chelsea and Peter Andre: My Life.  Zane Lowe also shortlisted the latest Saint Raymond single, 'Young Blood' in his hottest 100 records of the year. 
Look out for:  Callum's next EP, 'Young Blood' is set for release on the 21st January and the title track is available to download right now.  He's also going on his own headline tour in March 2014 and is planning to record his album sometime in the new year.  Tickets for Saint Raymond's tour are available here

Who?  Swiss Lips
For fans of:  San Cisco and The Strokes 
Previous work:  Hailing from Manchester, the electronic band have played the support slot for a couple of Bastille's tours.  They've already released three EPs, and their most well-known single 'U Got the Power' was featured on a Sony advert.
Look out for:  They've just uploaded a new track 'Fight 4 What U Need' which is available to download for free here.  The band have also said that their album is finished and should hopefully be released in 2014.  Another gig that I've recently purchased tickets for is the one that they're playing at Bush Hall in March.  Tickets available here

Who?  BANKS
For fans of:  AlunaGeorge, Lana Del Rey and The Neighbourhood
Previous work:  Originally from Los Angeles, BANKS has impressively released three EPs since the beginning of the year and her first single 'Before I Ever Met You' was discovered and given radio play by Zane Lowe.  This year she's also been the opening act for The Weeknd, and her song 'Waiting Game' was used in the 2013 Victoria's Secret Holiday commercial.  
Look out for:  BANKS has been included in the list of iTunes' New Artists for 2014 along with the likes of Dan Croll and Sam Smith.  She is also featured in the BBC Sound of 2014 list (previous years seeing artists such as Haim and Jessie J being included in the shortlist).  In March she's doing a UK tour, where she'll be playing two nights at my favourite venue, the Koko in Camden, amongst several others.  Buy tickets here

There you have it, four up and coming acts whom I have no doubt will do exceptionally well over the next twelve months.  Several of them are already on the media's radar, so I would highly recommend taking the opportunity to see them before they become huge.

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