Ticketmaster New Music Guide: Discover It First. Hear It Live.

Looking to discover new music artists in the UK? The Ticketmaster New Music Guide highlights the best emerging artists, rising stars and breakthrough acts, alongside their latest tours, concerts and live shows. From small venue gigs to major UK festivals, this guide helps you find new artists performing near you and book tickets to see them live.

Let’s be real — the way we discover new music has changed. You’re not waiting around for a radio DJ to tell you what’s next. You’re finding it on TikTok, in late-night Discord calls, down YouTube rabbit holes, and through that one playlist your friend won’t stop sending you. And when a track really hits? You want to be there — in the crowd, phone up, singing every word.

That’s where the Ticketmaster New Music Guide comes in. This is your monthly drop of the new artists you need to know — before they go viral, before they headline festivals, before everyone else catches on. From bedroom pop to alt-rap, K-pop to genre-blurring sounds, we’re tracking what’s rising, what’s real, and who you need to see live.

You’ll find new names, new sounds, and links to upcoming concerts, tours and festivals where you can experience it all up close. Because it’s not just about what’s trending — it’s about what’s next. And chances are, your future favourite artist is already playing a show near you.

So whether you’re here to discover, stan, or just vibe… welcome to the front line of new music.

TICKETmaster Fresh list 2026: New Artists To Watch

The brightest and hottest new stars

Just delivered – freshly squeezed talent to add to your playlist rotation for 2026.

Our 2026 Ticketmaster Fresh List is here to brighten up your day and give you something new to listen to – and get obsessed with. Get that “I liked them before they were big” feeling and support your new favourite artist from the start.

And what’s more – every artist named on the FRESH List will automatically be nominated for the inaugural Fresh Award at the Ticketmaster Awards next January. This new category puts the decision in fans’ hands, allowing them to vote for their favourite rising act of the year.

Annahstasia

Annahstasia

Soul-stirring vocalist and cinematic songwriter, Annahstasia is on Ticketmaster’s FRESH List 2026, spotlighting ten of the most exciting new artists set to light up stages across the UK and beyond this year.

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Basht

Basht.

Ireland’s rising rock band Basht., known for sharp lyricism and anthemic hooks, are on Ticketmaster’s FRESH List 2026, spotlighting ten of the most exciting new artists set to light up stages across the UK and beyond this year.

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Beattie

Beattie

Fast-rising alt-rock talent capturing hearts with her diaristic, unfiltered lyrics whilst building a cult following across stages and socials.

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Ben Walker

Ben Walker

Scottish Young Live Artist winner and hopeless romantic singer-songwriter Ben Walker is on Ticketmaster’s FRESH List 2026, spotlighting ten of the most exciting new artists set to light up stages across the UK and beyond this year.

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Chloe Qisha

Chloe Qisha

Malaysian-born, UK-based newcomer Chloe Qisha, blending pop with an experimental edge, is on Ticketmaster’s FRESH List 2026, spotlighting ten of the most exciting new artists set to light up stages across the UK and beyond this year.

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Deyyess

Déyyess

Singer-songwriter Déyyess, turning queer yearning into gut-punch pop, is on Ticketmaster’s FRESH List 2026, spotlighting ten of the most exciting new artists set to light up stages across the UK and beyond this year.

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Florence Road

Florence Road

Irish indie collective Florence Road are on Ticketmaster’s FRESH List 2026, recognised for their atmospheric sound and immersive live performances that mark them as one of the most exciting new acts set to light up stages across the UK and beyond this year.

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Naika

Naïka

American-born, French-Haitian singer Naïka is on Ticketmaster’s FRESH List 2026, recognised for her genre-blending sound that fuses pop, R&B and global influences, marking her as one of the most exciting new artists set to light up stages across the UK and beyond this year.

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Nectar Woode

Nectar Woode

British-Ghanaian artist Nectar Woode is on Ticketmaster’s FRESH List 2026, recognised for her soulful, heartfelt songwriting and emotive voice, marking her as one of ten exciting rising artists set to light up stages across the UK and beyond this year.

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Skye Newman

Skye Newman

Skye Newman brings The Survival Tour to the UK this November 2026, including two nights at O2 Academy Brixton, her biggest London shows yet. With a huge summer ahead, including upcoming performances at Reading Festival and Leeds Festival, the South London singer-songwriter continues her rise. Known for her raw, emotional live performances, Skye Newman is fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting new artists – with tickets for her 2026 tour set to sell fast.

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Beattie: “Everyone has moments where they don’t feel the same as everyone else”

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Best UK Music Festivals to Discover New Artists

UK music festivals aren’t just about big headliners — they’re one of the best places to discover new and emerging artists. From smaller stages to breakthrough sets, festivals give music fans the chance to see rising talent live before they hit the mainstream. If you’re looking to find new artists and experience live music, festivals are the place to start.

The Isle of Wight Festival 2026

18/06 – 21/06/2026

Seaclose Park in Newport / Isle of Wight

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Download

Download XXIII

10/06 – 14/06/2026

Donington Park, Derby

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Pepsi Max presents Parklife 2026

20/06 – 21/06/2026

Heaton Park, Manchester

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Pepsi presents Reading Festival

28/08 – 30/08/2026

Richfield Avenue, Reading

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Pepsi presents Leeds Festival

28/08 – 30/08/2026

Bramham Park, Leeds

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Pepsi MAX presents TRNSMT

19/06 – 21/06/2026

Glasgow Green, Scotland

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Neighbourhood Festival

17/10

Various venues, Manchester

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Neighbourhood Weekender

23/05 – 24/05/2026

Victoria Park, Warrington

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Discover your favourite Genre

Dive into the world of electronic, hip-hop, pop and rock & metal for the best gigs around. Explore upcoming UK tours and concerts

Festival Season is calling

We are the plans that finally made it out of the group chat

The days are getting longer and before you know it the sun will set at 9pm and you’ll be in a field listening to your favourite artists with all your favourite people.

We’ve got the hottest sets, the biggest UK festivals, the new music you need to discover and all the summer fun you can imagine. Browse our Festival Guide to find your perfect summer adventure.

Discover our Festival Guide

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How to Discover New Music: Gigs, Concerts, Festivals and Online

Looking to discover new music artists? Today, finding your next favourite act isn’t limited to one place. From live gigs and UK music festivals to TikTok, YouTube and curated playlists, there are more ways than ever to discover emerging artists and rising talent.

The best way to stay ahead is to combine online discovery with real-life experiences — because while a track might go viral on your feed, it’s the live show that turns it into something unforgettable.

Discover new music at live gigs and concerts

There’s nothing like seeing a new artist live for the first time. Small venue gigs and early tour dates are often where rising artists build their fanbase and experiment with their sound.

Across the UK, you can find upcoming concerts and tours featuring new artists in intimate venues before they move on to bigger stages. If you’re looking to discover new music before it blows up, live gigs are one of the best places to start.

Find emerging artists at UK music festivals

UK music festivals are a huge part of how new artists break through. While headline acts draw the crowds, smaller stages and earlier time slots are where you’ll find emerging talent and future festival headliners.

Festivals give you the chance to see multiple artists in one day, making them one of the most exciting ways to discover new music and explore different genres — from indie and rock to pop, electronic and R&B.

Discover new artists on TikTok, YouTube and social media

Music discovery has gone digital. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube are where many new artists gain momentum, with viral clips, live sessions and fan-shared moments helping songs reach global audiences.

Whether it’s a trending sound, a stripped-back performance or a late-night deep dive, these platforms are often the first place fans discover artists before they hit the charts — or the stage.

Use playlists and recommendations to find new music

Streaming playlists and recommendations are still one of the easiest ways to discover new artists. From algorithm-driven mixes to curated lists, they help surface tracks you might not find otherwise.

Pairing playlists with live listings means you can go from discovering a track to booking tickets to see that artist live — all in one journey.

Turn discovery into live experiences

Finding new music is just the beginning — seeing it live is where it really connects. Whether it’s a gig in your city, a tour date nearby or a festival weekend, live music is what brings artists and fans together.

Explore concerts, tours and festivals near you to discover new artists performing live and experience the next wave of music before it goes mainstream.

Discover live music near you

What’s Gig Buddies all about?

Matching people with volunteers who share their interests, so they can go to gigs, evening events, or simply hang out – as equals and as friends.

“Our projects are all about supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people to live the lives they choose.

We’re here to challenge the idea that disabled people should live restricted or isolated lives. Everyone deserves friendship, fun, a social life that reflects who they are and the freedom to Stay Up Late if they want to!

We’re proud to be part of a growing community of Gig Buddies projects across the globe, all inspired by the original project we launched in Sussex in 2013.”

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What’s On Near You

Find the best live entertainment near you this summer with our dedicated city guides

New Music Guide

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of discovering your next favorite artist, except maybe seeing them live before the rest of the world catches on. At Ticketmaster, we know that music discovery isn’t just about playlists, it’s about passion, connection, and the pulse of what’s next.

That’s why we created the Ticketmaster New Music Guide – your monthly backstage pass to the most exciting new artists, breakout acts, and fresh sounds hitting the scene. Whether you’re deep into indie gems, hunting for the next big pop phenomenon, or craving harder-hitting hip-hop, this guide is your go-to source for the artists making noise and selling out shows.

We’re tracking who’s climbing the charts, lighting up festival stages, and turning heads in clubs, theaters, and arenas worldwide – with links to grab tickets before they blow up. So turn it up, tune in, and get ready to say, “I saw them before they were huge.” The next big thing starts here.

Discover more concerts and tours, including musician and artist interviews, new tour announcements and more here. 

FAQs

The Ticketmaster New Music Guide is a guide to the best new music artists, rising stars and breakout acts in the UK and beyond. It helps fans discover new artists early and find upcoming concerts, tours and live shows before they sell out.

You can discover new music artists by:

  • Following curated lists like the Ticketmaster Fresh List
  • Exploring upcoming gigs and tours near you
  • Attending music festivals with emerging artists
  • Listening to curated playlists and live sessions

The New Music Guide brings all of this together in one place, making it easier to find new artists performing live in the UK.

To find tickets for new artists:

  1. Browse the latest artists featured in the guide
  2. Click through to their live tour dates and shows
  3. Book tickets early before demand increases

Many artists featured are at the start of their careers, meaning you can often see them live in smaller venues before they headline major tours.

The Ticketmaster Fresh List highlights the most exciting new artists each year, covering genres like pop, indie, R&B and alternative. These are artists gaining momentum through streaming, social media and live performances.

You can see new artists perform:

  • On UK tours and small venue gigs
  • At major UK music festivals
  • Supporting bigger headline acts

The New Music Guide links directly to live events and tickets, so you can discover and book in one place.

The Ticketmaster Fresh List is a curated selection of the most promising new music artists of the year, chosen for their growing popularity and live performance potential.
Fans can follow these artists, attend their shows and watch them grow into headline acts.

The guide is updated regularly with new artists, tour announcements and live music events, ensuring fans always have access to the latest in new music discovery.

We cover a wide range: pop, hip-hop, R&B, indie, rock, electronic, alternative, K-pop, Latin, and genre-bending acts that defy labels. If it’s fresh and live-ready, it’s in.