Hailing from a small South Carolina beach town, Winyah has been diligently building their career as a fully independent five-piece band since early 2023. Comprised of frontman Thomas Rowland, guitarist Luke Gordon, keyboardist Rob Buffington, bassist Stephen Russell, and drummer Jim Carr, Winyah blends introspective storytelling with catchy melodies to create their signature indie alternative sound, often described as the perfect soundtrack for late-night drives and carefree adventures. They have shared stages with bands like Dog Park and Stop Light Observations and secured coveted spots at festivals such as Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. Their debut album Lot To Learn captures the feelings of growing up in a small beach town, leaving behind relationships and friendships to pursue your dreams, and makes the perfect soundtrack to a coming-of-age movie or hazy nostalgic dream of the past.

Cassandra Coleman is a rising indie-pop artist hailing from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee. Her journey, which included a stint in the top 10 on American Idol, has uniquely shaped her artistry. Raised on a farm and juggling various jobs before catching the attention of Noah Kahan, Cassandra has since collaborated with acclaimed producer Jack Antonoff and recently signed with Warner Records. Often drawing comparisons to Joni Mitchell, she is poised to debut her music this May. Even without any released music, Cassandra has already secured bookings at major festivals, including Lollapalooza and The Bleachers’ Shadow of the City Festival in June and October.

With a larger-than-life stage presence marked by iridescent makeup and Stevie Nicks-esque attire, Caroline Kingsbury delivers ready-to-risk-it-all ballads brimming with brutally honest and vulnerable lyrics. Her refreshingly vintage sound, evident in tracks like “Kissing Someone Else,” hints at the influence of artists like The Killers and Bruce Springsteen, all infused with a modern queer sensibility. Following her 2021 debut album Heavan’s Just A Flight, Caroline’s star is rising in 2025, fueled by her recent EP, I Really Don’t Care!, which Atwood Magazine lauded as an “irresistible, cinematic celebration of caring too much.” Crowned Spotify’s ‘Your new favorite popstar!’ and featured on numerous prominent playlists, you can catch her infectious energy live at festivals like Capitol Hill Block Party and All Things Go, as well as on a co-headline tour this fall.

Hailing from Mexico, Midnight Generation is a retro pop funk electronic band led by Fernando Mares, drawing inspiration from the vibrant sounds of the 1970s. Over the past few years, their captivating music has garnered a significant following both in Mexico and internationally. Now, the band is poised to embark on their first US and European tour, with highly anticipated appearances at major festivals including Outside Lands in San Francisco, Lattitude Festival in the UK, Low Festival in Spain, and Electric Forest in Michigan, with more exciting announcements on the horizon.

Carol Ades, a New Jersey-born and Los Angeles-based artist, singer, and songwriter, crafts emotionally resonant music that offers a sense of sanctuary, like a trusted friend's comforting presence. Her lyric-driven songs possess a remarkable ability to make personal experiences feel universally relatable, exploring coming-of-age moments with raw honesty. After years spent writing behind the scenes, Carol stepped into her own spotlight, embracing her queerness and channeling her self-discovery into a distinct “coming of age” sound influenced by artists like Japanese House and MUNA, as well as cultural touchstones like Fleabag. Following her breakthrough 2024 debut album Late Start and a successful first headline tour, Carol continues to connect deeply with her growing fanbase through her timeless music.

Seventeen-year-old Chicago rapper Star Bandz is currently making waves on social media, particularly for her viral track “Yea Yea,” which boasts over 4.8 million views on YouTube. Her recent performances on On The Radar and From The Block are also gaining significant traction. While known for her drill roots in tracks like “Bigger Better Badder,” Star Bandz has been exploring a more melodic sound, as heard in “My Baby” with Sugarhill Ddot. Fans can now enjoy her recently released Estrella deluxe mixtape, which dropped on March 28 and features collaborations with artists like Babyfxce E and 1UpTee.

No matter the genre, the rules, or the expectations, Eddie and the Getaway will bend and break them all. The 24-year-old Arizona native has grown a rabid audience that connects with his vulnerable country lyricism and “in your face” guitars that bring back the nostalgia of early 2000s rock. His live shows bring audiences stadium-size energy no matter where he is playing. Eddie has also written and produced songs for Jay Webb, Pecos & The Rooftops, LECADE, Sterling Elza and more, all while building his own artistry on the road and through his viral hits “Love Myself,” “Cobain,” and “From The Outside.” He is a true musical triple threat: a multi-genre songwriter, producer, and artist -- all of which makes him one of the top artists to watch for 2025.

Carter Vail is the kind of guy who can look at the bright side no matter what. Take one listen to the infections-pop rock he’s been making since 2018, or watch his videos on TikTok or Instagram, and you’ll find a relentless optimist who crafts inviting tunes with humor and heart. Through the Los Angeles songwriter’s sophomore LP, 100 Cowboys, boasts the same tasteful and turbocharged alternative rock that dominates his catalog, beneath its breezy arrangements are his most bracingly personal lyrics yet. Written following a devastating breakup, Vail channels messy heartbreak into stirring, cathartic songs that are as anthemic as they compelling.

According to vocalist Rachel Grae, her ever-growing fan base is more like a “friend base.” It’s probably this mindset that’s caused the fresh and deeply genuine singer/songwriter, who glows with the “impossible to ignore” energy, to erupt into the pop music world with a devoted audience now into the millions of monthly listeners. Described as “raw and authentic” by Melodic Magazine, Grae’s altruistic ethos emanates through in her music. Now, with hundreds of millions of streams to date, and well over a million followers on TikTok, Grae’s distinctive voice has caught the attention of outlets like Rolling Stone, People Magazine, MTV and American Songwriter.

Junior Varsity is a Los Angeles-based trio of singer/songwriter/producers Greg Aram, Zach Michel, and Brooke Danaher. After dropping two critically acclaimed EPs with Warner Records, the band released an independent third EP My Star with Key Records / Vydia. Unlike most bands, Junior Varsity has built their career off of being a best-kept secret, often throwing underground shows that pull thousands of die-hard fans. Their listeners know them as being the rowdy garage punk band next door, but their forthcoming music sets them up to cross into the mainstream. The trio continues to write and produce their own music, while crafting their own visual aesthetic and brand. They’ve received co-signs from Gracie Abrams, Chappell Roan, Blink-182, The Marias, Benny Blanco, Zane Lowe, and more. This summer, Junior Varsity are releasing their first mixtape and are on track to tour again in the fall. Junior Varsity is prepared to show the world they’re no longer second best…but here to get first prize.

Zoe Ko is a NYC-based singer/songwriter journaling her life through her music. Her vulnerable lyrics and infectious melodies make her songs feel as intimate and electric as dancing alone in your room, and she is quickly establishing herself as a prominent tastemaker in today’s modern alt-pop scene. She recently performed at Elton John’s Oscar after party, signed to Double Down 11/Big Loud Rock and has opened over 50 shows for nationwide tours with UPSAHL and Games We Play. “The second I put my makeup on and my crazy fur coat and my sunglasses, I feel like I can be anyone and anything I want,” she says. “Like anything is f*cking possible.”

People R Ugly is a Los Angeles-based band blending raw energy, unfiltered lyrics and a sound that pulls from punk, alt/indie rock, and alt-pop. Made up of Zak Dossi, Bill Biers, Julian Del Grosso, and Tristan Kevitch, they’ve quickly built a loyal fanbase drawn to their honesty, emotion, and edge. In just two years, they’ve amassed over 15 million streams, 1.7 million YouTube views, and seen explosive social growth, with nearly 300K TikTok and 123K Instagram followers. Now signed to Verswire, People R Ugly is gearing up to unleash new music and their highly anticipated debut album this year. Catch them live this summer on the Warped Tour and Bonnaroo, where their high-octane presence will give fans a first look at what’s coming next.

benches are a group consisting of Anson Kelley (vocals/guitar), Ethan Bowers (drums), Evan Ojeda (lead guitar), and Charlie Baird (bass). Following the success of early singles such as “Monodrama” and “Violent,” benches return with a new EP consisting of increasingly complex and nuanced songs, resulting in standouts “Naive” and the upcoming title track “Kill the Lights.” Their new EP Kill the Lights dropped in April. The band has played with notable acts such as Inhaler, Blossoms, and IDKHOW. They have previously played at Shaky Knees and are set to make an appearance at Lollapalooza later this year. They are headlining this summer all over the western US.

Named both Spotify’s 2024 Artist and Amazon’s 2025 R&B Artist to Watch, rising singer/songwriter/musician Lekan’s silken baritone sings a message—one full of feeling and love. A first-generation Nigerian American from Columbus, Ohio, Lekan’s towering presence dominates the stage, but his inviting music is rooted in classic R&B while also dipping into other genres—weaving soul, pop, and trap together to create a unique, timeless sound. With a strong foundation in musicality as a multi-instrumentalist, Lekan uses his ear and instinct to uniquely stack his vocals on top of modern yet classic R&B production, creating his undeniable signature sound.

The viral success of singer/songwriter Sofia Camara’s “Who Do I Call Now? (Hellbent)”—now boasting over 44 million global streams—shattered the glass ceiling and launched her into a whirlwind of achievements. She took it all in stride—joining Dean Lewis and Alex Warren on their respective European & UK tours and standing center stage at the 2024 CFL Grey Cup, where she performed the Canadian national anthem. Her reimagined take of Nickelback’s “What Are You Waiting For?” became the official 2025 IIHF World Junior championship song. But her most defining moment yet was stepping into the spotlight on her own terms—selling out her first headline shows across Europe. Sofia knows that wherever her music takes her next, the whole world will be singing along with her.

Setting the digital world ablaze with her signature fashion aesthetic, aptly named #Aliyahcore, she has captured audiences on a global scale. Aliyah’s Interlude has over 4 million followers across socials with the #Aliyahcore hashtag on TikTok generating more than 480 million views, as well as press coverage in The New York Times, TIME, Vogue, Billboard, ELLE, Nylon, PAPER and more. In 2023, she released her debut single “IT GIRL,” which has since generated over 9 million views on YouTube, 1.6 million TikTok videos and over 233 million streams to date. With over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone and collaborations with Paris Hilton and SZA, Aliyah’s Interlude is poised for greatness.

BLK ODYSSY is an Austin-based singer/songwriter and producer who grew up surrounded by neo-soul in Plainfield, New Jersey. BLK’s debut Album BLK VINTAGE, written and produced by BLK and close collaborators/friends, reflects his matured continued celebration and critique of what it means to be Black in America. His debut album in 2021 was met with critical acclaim and was followed by a 2022 re-release via Empire with added tracks featuring Mereba, Benny the Butcher, George Clinton, and Baby Rose, garnering over 45,000,000 streams across platforms. BLK ODYSSY released a sophomore album DIAMONDS & FREAKS featuring artists such as Rapsody, Kirby, Bootsy Collins, Cory Henry, and production from The Alchemist. Following their 2024 Tiny Desk, BLK released their first single of the year “WANT YOU,” co-produced by Harry Styles’ producer Tyler Johnson. This single marks the start of a new album campaign and a shift in sound for the artist moving forward. This was followed by XXX featuring Wiz Khalifa and “STANK ROSE” featuring Joey Bada$$.

Anchored by the combination of slamming 808s and slick steel guitar, Graham Barham’s distinct sound can be summed up in two words: CLUB COUNTRY. With his roots in Oak Ridge, Louisiana (population: 124), Barham grew up inspired by country stalwarts like George Strait as much as pop and hip-hop icons such as Justin Bieber. Named an artist to watch by Spotify and Amazon Music, Barham has made waves with his signature word play and swaggering musicality. As naturally as he writes and performs fiery country bangers, he pens cuts for fellow rising stars such as Wyatt Flores, Chase Matthew, and Tyler Braden. Signed to Sony Music Nashville and Disruptor Records, Barham’s latest viral hit “OIL MONEY” earned the largest debut of his career and is the title track of his accompanying EP, which features standouts like “WHISKEY WHISKEY,” “LIE TO ME,” and “SHOOT THE LOCK.” With more than 132 million career streams, Barham is burning his own path within the country landscape.