Radio 1’s Sound of 2026

Radio 1’s Sound Of list showcases the most exciting rising stars in music.

The acts that appear on Sound Of are all chosen by a panel of impartial music industry experts from around the world, including other music artists such as Dua Lipa, Elton John, JADE, Olivia Dean and more.

The pundits vote to narrow down a longlist of 10 artists, which have now been announced, with the winner and runners up due to be crowned in early January.

Read on to find out who’s been tipped for huge things in 2026…

23-year-old singer-songwriter Alessi Rose has all the ingredients of a modern pop star. Her songs are relatable, infused with humour, and not to mention incredibly catchy. She released her debut single in 2023 and with it she hit the ground running – in just the two years since, she’s released three EPs and toured with the likes of Noah Kahan, Tate McRae and Dua Lipa.

Chloe Qisha burst on to the UK music scene in 2024 and quickly garnered attention for her distinctive, 80s-inspired alt-pop. It’s rare for an artist to arrive so fully realised, with a look and sound that feels so cohesive and confident. She has the knack for writing in a way that feels fresh, gets stuck in your head, and also immerses you into the song’s world. The last year has seen her play support slots for Sabrina Carpenter and Coldplay in London, and gain an audience in the US when her single I Lied, I’m Sorry caught the attention of pop star Kelly Clarkson, who covered it on the Kellyoke section of her talk show.

Florence Road are a four-piece from Bray in County Wicklow in Ireland. The band were childhood friends, and before releasing their own music, they started to gain a following on TikTok for their videos performing cover songs in a garden shed. In early 2025 they released their first single Heavy, and went on to work with producer Dan Nigro, who is behind some of the biggest hits from Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lorde. They have sped into the public eye, supporting major artists in the space of just a few months – Olivia Rodrigo, Wolf Alice, and Sound of 2024 winners The Last Dinner Party! 

In the last few months, it feels like Geese have suddenly become the band that everyone’s talking about. The four-piece formed in Brooklyn, New York, after meeting at school, and have released three studio albums to date. The band’s name comes from guitarist Emily Green’s nickname, Goose. The lead vocalist is Cameron Winter, who released a solo album to huge critical acclaim, and the success of the band has grown in tandem with his. Their music is masterful, moving deftly between moods ranging from hardcore anger to pure joy, displaying the versatility of the band members’ talents. Winter’s remarkable vocals bring raw emotion and vulnerability to lyrics that often contain a lot of levity, and together it feels like a unique combination.

Jim Legxacy (pronounced Legacy) is a multi-talented artist from Lewisham, recognised for excelling as a rapper, singer, and record producer. He started making music as the age of 19, and has released three EPs and two mixtapes – the latest of which being Black British Music, which came out in summer 2025. His collage-like approach brings in vast influences from hip-hop, U.S. emo and nostalgic R&B. He’s been making a name for himself among major artists on the UK scene. He collaborated with Fred again.. on his 2024 album, released a song with Dave, and co-wrote and co-produced Central Cee and Dave’s huge hit Sprinter in 2023. He’s certainly one to watch. 

Walthamstow’s kwn (pronounced kay-one) is a rapper, singer and producer, and her skill and finesse has gained her a huge following since she started releasing music in 2022. Her raw, unfiltered R&B is known for huge choral moments, bold production choices, and lyrics celebrating queer love and desire. The last year has seen her perform at Wireless Festival and work with Kehlani on a remix of her single ‘Worst Behaviour’.

This Australian indie pop duo released their debut album in 2024 and received chart success in their home country, and they’ve been solid features on the indie scene and festival circuit over the past few years. You may also associate them with their highly successful cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder on the Dancefloor, which went viral following the release of the film Saltburn, or of The Cranberries’ Linger, which was featured on the soundtrack for the TV show The Summer I Turned Pretty. Their success was clinched when they released their second album Hickey in summer 2025, with the very popular lead single Who’s Your Boyfriend, whose music video continued their link with TSITP by featuring actress Lola Tung. 

Years of hard graft have paid off for Sasha Keable, who’s had more than her fair share of music industry setbacks but now finds herself on the cusp of stardom. She wrote her first EP Black Book as a teenager, which led her to collaborations with dance artists like DJ Zinc and a hit as the featured vocalist on Disclosure’s song Voices. Fast forward to 2025 and she’s firmly in her element, following a viral TikTok hit Hold Up, an endorsement from Beyoncé, and collaborations with artists including Dev Hynes, Ezra Collective and Jorja Smith. Possessing one of the finest, most soulful voices in the UK today, she’s proof that true talent pays off – it can just take time.

The South London singer-songwriter has made a major impact with her soulful, powerful voice and emotive ballads, drawing comparisons to Adele and Amy Winehouse. She started releasing music in early 2025 and in a short amount of time her songs have cut through, her track Family Matters charting in the UK Top 10, and gained her a slot supporting Lewis Capaldi. With this kind of success in less than a year, imagine what 2026 will bring her. 

New York City’s sombr released his debut single in 2021, at only 16 years old, taking his artist name from his initials, SMB. The following year his breakout hit Caroline went viral, earning him a record deal. His debut album I Barely Know Her came out in 2025 and was undoubtedly one of the biggest albums of the year, with huge hit tracks including Back To Friends, Undressed and 12 to 12. His music is expansive, textured and slick, and his timeless vocals are a great showcase for his sharp, relatable lyrics.