Irish band Florence Road among artists on BBC’s Sound of 2026 – The Irish Times

Irish rock band Florence Road have been named on the BBC’s Sound of 2026 longlist.

The UK broadcaster’s annual list showcases the “exciting” artists to watch out for in the year ahead. The 2026 list is made up of 10 different music acts, and was chosen by more than 170 industry experts and artists, including Elton John, Dua Lipa, Olivia Dean and Sam Smith.

Florence Road are a group of childhood friends who attended Coláiste Ráithín Gaelcholáiste in Bray, Co Wicklow.

Before releasing their own music, the band started to gain a following on TikTok for their videos performing cover songs in a garden shed.

Florence Road performed a sell-out show in the Academy in Dublin on Sunday night and are set to play at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Centre on December 7th. They will perform at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on May 27th next year.

Alessi Rose, who performed at Trnsmt festival in Glasgow, and Reading and Leeds festivals earlier this year, was also among those named in the longlist.

American artist Sombr, known as Shane Michael Boose, was granted a place on the list too.

The 20-year-old appeared on The Graham Norton Show two weeks ago, and performed his single 12 To 12 in the studio.

He won MTV’s Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video for his single Back To Friends earlier this year.

Other artists showcased on the longlist include alternative pop artist Chloe Qisha (26) and Australian indie pop duo Royel Otis.

London artist Skye Newman is also among those who have been named.

The 22-year-old singer-songwriter earned a place in the top five of the UK singles charts for the first time in June this year, for her second single Family Matters.

R&B singer kwn, who was shortlisted for best new international act at the Bet Awards this year, was also named on the BBC list.

[ Ireland’s teen bands: ‘We never expected to go anywhere beyond the shed’Opens in new window ]

Other artists who have been named include US indie rock band Geese, British rapper Jim Legxacy and British singer-songwriter Sasha Keable.

Previous Sound of artists include Stormzy, Adele, Lady Gaga, Raye, The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Lewis Capaldi.

Last year, US singer Chappell Roan was named winner of the BBC’s Sound of 2025. – PA