Is 2026 the year of indie rock? Five bands that could hit new heights this year
The UK and Ireland’s constant indie-band-producing conveyor belt remains in full flow and, if anything, is speeding up with an overflowing pool of new upcoming bands filling the airwaves.
After its explosion onto the UK scene in the late 70s and early 80s, indie music was born with The Smiths, Joy Division and The Cure paving the way as notable pioneers.
Britpop soon swooped in with an equally eruptive explosion as Oasis and Blur battled on through the 90s, taking indie music to another level.
Arctic Monkeys took on the reins of reviving and evolving the sound all in one, their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not became the fastest-selling debut record in UK chart history in 2006.
At present, the appetite for these bands remains as strong as ever with Wunderhorse and Fontaines DC being two of the most prominent to hit serious success in recent years.
But who might be joining them this year?
Music News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills expands.
The Royston Club
Formed in Wrexham in 2019, The Royston Club are fast becoming a household name within the indie-rock genre, Tom Faithfull (vocals and rhythm guitar), Ben Matthias (lead guitar and songwriter), Dave Tute (bass) and Sam Jones (drums) make up the Welsh band.
Ranging from fast-paced energetic guitar tracks to slower, emotional songs, the band have created a stunning sound, enhanced by the supreme voice of Tom Faithfull.
The frontman’s breathtaking vocal ability, partnered with the band's brilliant live reputation, meant it was a matter of time until their fanbase grew rapidly.
The release of ‘Mrs Narcissistic’ in 2020 set the wheels in motion and still remains a fan favourite while ‘Mariana’ and ‘Patch Where Nothing Grows’ in 2023 and 2024 signal other key releases that propelled the band to a higher level.
The latter features a unique guitar riff to begin the song in captivating fashion, the energetic and almost chaotic chorus mixed with a stripped-back first verse before a powerful guitar solo towards the end makes this one of their very best.
The earlier mentioned live reputation was elevated further following a 2025 sell-out tour and as somebody who was lucky enough to go, I will enthusiastically verify this.
Both their debut album Shaking Hips and Crashing Cars and last year's release of Songs for the Spine are rollercoasters of emotion and energy with powerful guitars remaining the constant.
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Overpass
There are plenty of reasons to get excited about Overpass, with 2026 feeling like a big year for the Birmingham band.
Following on from supporting the likes of Inhaler, Two Door Cinema Club and The Royston Club, people almost immediately paid attention to Overpass.
Max Newbold, Elliot Rawlings, Indie Armstrong and Jake Bishop formed during lockdown in 2020 before releasing singles throughout the three years that followed. Their 2023 release of ‘Right Time’ remains their most streamed track so far.
Their first EP, From the Night, dropped a year later to give fans five tracks to cherish - ‘Beautiful’ rounds off the EP in style, with the raw tone of the guitar being especially satisfying.
2025 saw a second EP released, another five songs and an even better collection of passionate indie-rock tracks.
In a 2024 interview with The Indie Scene, the band revealed their admiration for both Inhaler and Wunderhorse and this definitely reflects in their music.
The announcement of an album release in summer 2026 creates excitement and anticipation, amplified by a fantastic single release in ‘Union Station’, summing up the upward trajectory of the band in a single song.
2026 will be a big year for Overpass and the countdown begins for the release of their debut album Elsewhere, Always.
Keo
A raw and dark sound with lyrics rooted in vulnerability and pain, Keo’s sound isn’t too dissimilar to that of Wunderhorse and I’m predicting them to have a similar upwards trajectory in the years to come.
The grungy-rock sound was waiting patiently to be revived and Keo’s 2025 EP, Siren, is another example of why it had to be, as was Wunderhorse’s Midas.
Close your eyes and it feels as though Finn and Conor Keogh, Oli Spackman, and Jimmy Lanwern are performing in a tight London venue, five metres in front of you, which is something that feels purposely done by the four-piece.
“Most of the EP was recorded live and we actually did it in a garage. It’s pretty rough around the edges, but I think that’s what gives it character,” was what the band told Rolling Stone and they’re bang on.
“I Lied, Amber” and “Thorn” immediately jump out with powerful distorted guitars, giving platform to Finn Keogh’s raw vocals and a theme of imperfection rooted in the lyrics, which is why the band are sure to hit more success this year.
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The Guest List
One listen to their track “Weatherman” and I am immediately captured by just how brilliant this band is, and I urge you to do the same.
Cai Alty (lead vocals, guitar), Tom Quigley (lead guitar), Leio Hunter (rhythm guitar), Sid Wallace (bass), and Angus Gilchrist (drums) make up the five-member Manchester band formed in 2021.
Cai Altly’s vocal range is immediately noticeable, especially in the title track of their EP, When the Lights Are Out, while the final track“Weatherman” features a repeated melodic, whining guitar riff in the second half which has been stuck in my head throughout the writing of this section.
Heavy themes of domestic violence, climate change, and male suicide rates have been explored by the band in an attempt to bring to light the big and commonly unspoken issues faced by people every day.
Basht.
We’re crossing the Irish Sea to arrive in Dublin for the final destination where we find Jack Leavey, Louis Christle, Lughaidh Armstrong, and Ryan McClelland making up Dublin-formed indie-rock band Basht.
With their amps turned up to the max to match their energy, they’re making real waves, not just within the Irish scene but all around the UK too, with a 2026 tour promising to be another large step forward.
Tracks like “Gone Girl” and “Vain” trigger excitement through the dark and heavy sound they’re rooted in – it’s all quite crazy and it comes together in a satisfying manner.
The title track from their most recent EP, Bitter and Twisted, has a sound that is almost characteristic of something from The Smiths with the way the drums and lead guitar create a cool and edgy atmosphere from behind the vocals.
Plenty of the tour dates are already sold out or close to being that way which only further showcases the excitement that Basht have created through their releases and live performances.
They’re definitely a band to watch in 2026.
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