Jim’s 10 for 2026

Jim Gellatly selects 10 emerging Scottish acts to watch out for in the coming year.

BOXING CLUB

Explosive indie rock featuring personnel from Glasgow and London.
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BRONTËS

Infectious indie pop from Glasgow.
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FAEDA

A fresh start for these Thurso rockers and already making waves.
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FINLAY BRADSHAW

Glorious alt. pop from Manchester via Inverness.
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THE GETAWAY

Fife/Glasgow duo with a brilliant blend of folk and pop.
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IN VERTIGO

Spicy alt. rock out of Glasgow.
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KERR MERCER

Major stardom awaits the teenage singer-songwriter from Glasgow.
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THE MARCHES

Paisley/Irvine girls likened to Fleetwood Mac and The Bangles.
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SHAY O’DOWD

Heartfelt songs from the Breakthrough Artist winner at the Scottish Music Awards.
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STAGBOY

Eclectic sound including elements of hip hop, indie, folk and pop and complimented with some brilliant animation.
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If you were wondering what I picked in previous years…

Jim’s 10 for 2025: Adeyemo / Alx Romance / The Dress Rehearsal / Indoor Foxes / Jacob Alon / Kuleeangee / Nati. / The New Shade / Pistol Daisys / Soapbox

Jim’s 10 for 2024: Ben Walker / Blair Davie / Bobbi Arlo / Cloud House / Fifidiny / Girls.Speak.French / Goliath / Joe Goodall / Kirsteen Harvey / Sixth Wonder

Jim’s 10 for 2023: Becky Sikasa / The Big Day / Calum Bowie / Kaeto / Katie Gregson-MacLeod / Medicine Cabinet / Pink Limit / Plasticine / Redolent / Russell Stewart

Jim’s 10 for 2022: Brooke Combe / Chef / The Katuns / Lvra / Morrell / Murdo Mitchell / Tamzene / Uninvited / Vlure / Wukasa

Jim’s 10 for 2021: Alex Amor / Bow Anderson / Daytime TV / Dead Pony / Drift / Joshua Grant / Liimo / Lizzie Reid / Mike McKenzie / Ruby Gaines

Jim’s 10 for 2020: Glassmasterer / Joesef / Keir Gibson / Luke La Volpe / Luna The Professor / Mark Sharp & The Bicycle Thieves / Retro Video Club / Spyres / Swim School / Zoe Graham

Jim’s 10 for 2019: Beta Waves / The Dunts / The Eves / Hyyts / OK Button / Parliamo / The Snuts / Stephanie Cheape / Us (Unify Separate) / Vistas

Jim’s 10 for 2018: Anchor Lane / Callum Beattie / Dancing On Tables / Dogtooth / Lewis Capaldi / Love Sick / The 101 / Rascalton / Skjør / Static Union

Jim’s 10 for 2017: BooHooHoo / Brat And The Bonemen / Emme Woods / Indigo Velvet / Kvasir / The Lapelles / The Ninth Wave / Shvllows / Siights / The Vegan Leather

Jim’s 10 for 2016: 100 Fables / Be Charlotte / Bella And The Bear / JR Green / Lional / Lucia Fontainé / Man Of Moon / November Lights / Single By Sunday / The Van T’s

Jim’s 10 for 2015: C Duncan / Jim Valentine / Kloe / Monogram / Neon Waltz / Sunshine Social / Tallia Storm / Tuff Love / White / The Wild Curve

Jim’s 10 for 2014: The Amazing Snakeheads / Mark Angels / Baby Strange / Herculean / Honeyblood / In Atlanta / Jakil / Model Aeroplanes / Prides / Vigo Thieves

Jim’s 10 for 2013: Anderson McGinty Webster Ward and Fisher / Chvrches / Fatherson / Fluorescent Hearts / Flutes / Fridge Magnets / Holy Esque / Madison / Megan D / The Velveteen Saints

Jim’s 10 for 2012: Bwani Junction / Carly Connor / Discopolis / The Imagineers / Jack Townes / John Wean / The LaFontaines / Little Eye / Nina Nesbitt / Vukovi

Jim’s 10 for 2011: Any Color Black / Capitals / Dot JR / Julia And The Doogans / Midnight Lion / Mopp / Saint Kilda / Rachel Sermanni / Shambles Miller / Weather Barn

Jim’s 10 for 2010: Ambulances / The Boy Who Trapped The Sun / Erland & The Carnival / French Wives / Alex Gardner / GoGoBot / Grum / Kassidy / Kid Adrift / Kitty The Lion

Jim’s 10 for 2009: Alto Elite / Healthy Minds Collapse / Mr Kil / Paper Planes / Pearl And The Puppets / The Phantom Band / Punch & The Apostles / Sugar Crisis / The Velcro Quartet / We See Lights

Jim’s 10 for 2008: The Fire And I / Broken Records / Urbnri / Fangs / Glasvegas / Big Face / Kizzy Star / The Vivians / Twin Atlantic / Attic Lights

Jim’s 10 for 2007: Drive-By Argument / Flood Of Red / ElectricBoyShock / Ghosts / The Law / The Envy Corps / Sixpeopleaway / Low Vs Diamond / Sergeant / Crash My Model Car