As we settle into March it feels like the perfect time to assess which of our fledgling artists might have the biggest impact in 2025.
Other publications may include Snow Patrol & Two Door Cinema Club in their Ones to Watch piece every year, but with the pipeline of new talent in the Northern Irish music continuing to flow, we’ve only got fresh names for you.
The Girlfriend Complex (formerly known as Ultraviolet)
I had the opportunity to attend Ultraviolet’s launch gig for their debut single ‘Think’ in the bustling Pavilion bar back in April, and the song has been stuck in my head ever since. Not to mention the memory of an exhilarating night, I hadn’t seen a crowd that ecstatic for a new band in a long time.
Since then, they have skyrocketed as expected, with the release of sophomore single ‘Not The One’, a personal favourite. Having only released two singles, it’s highly impressive that they have managed to build up a varied discography already, ‘Think’, an optimistic, fetching pop song yet ‘Not the One’ slowing down slightly, a melodic ballad carried by frontwoman Serena Brown’s compassionate vocals.
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Penny’s Band
Sweeping in from the North Coast on a wave of infectious indie is Penny’s Band. Their two singles have been punchy and emotive; dreamily layered but with plenty of distortion thrown in for a bit of bite.
The five piece’s pondering of the unfulfilled potential of past relationships and their own role in its failings has won them a dedicated following. A string of live performances followed which culminated in a sold out debut headline in Belfast. With more new music imminent, it is going to be hard to stop them.
RB
PTRNS
Starting their journey only last year, PTRNS have already established a name for themselves within Northern Ireland. Their debut single ‘Magnolia’ offered up a fresh take on indie-pop, describing their music as “groove to grit”.
This track instantly hooked me as it exhibits the cadence of a bubbly pop melody off of Paramore’s ‘After Laughter’ which then leads up to a complete switch in genre as an insanely intricate guitar solo plays out. PTRNS have a truly unique sound and I cannot wait to see where they go next.
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VERA
Easily the most prolific of artists on this list, VERA are something of a super group of Irish musicians. Fronted by Sarah Toner, the band already have four singles under their belt and well versed on the live circuit.
Their music is underpinned by the stunning vocals of Toner but flits between genres with reckless abandon. ‘No Help From You’ is a blitzing rocking number, ‘Reasons’ has more of a retro feel whereas ‘Lofi’ leans towards soul. We’ve no idea where they’re going to take us next but that is part of the thrill….
RB
Monday’s Child
It is a very inspiring experience to see a band grow in confidence and dexterity, and that’s exactly how I feel about Monday’s Child. After seeing them as a support slot for another local act back in April, I knew that they would very quickly become headliners amongst familiar names.
This all female four-piece know exactly how to perform live alternative rock music with a stage presence that would captivate any audience. With influences such as Hole and The Breeders their undeniable attitude is simply no surprise, and this is distinctly apparent in debut single ‘One in the Line’.
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The Thing Is…
Downpatrick’s The Thing Is… honed their sound and reputation on the live circuit. The band have played pretty much every venue in Belfast including the Mandela Hall and also a headline show in the Belfast Empire and continue to draw a cult following.
Their two singles to date were both released in November; ‘Earwax’ in 2023, followed by ‘Weeping Willows’ in 2024. The later was an indie rock banger, chock full of swagger and energy. Hopefully we won’t have to wait till November 2025 for their next.
RB
Greirat
Having just won ‘Clash of The New Breeds’, the Oh Yeah Music Centre’s youth project Volume Control’s battle of the bands competition, Greirat are finally being recognised as one of the best Belfast-based live acts right now.
All of this has been without a single being released. That changed at the end of February with their debit ‘Ratking’ channelling an indescribable punk-esque energy reminiscent of Problem Patterns that has categorised their live performances to date. They have a dedicated following eager to see how they take on headline shows in 2025.
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Makeshift Art Bar
Belfast post punk outfit Makeshift Art Bar appeared on our radar in late 2023 with the impressive debut single ‘Inertia’. After a period of inertia of their own, the band have returned with their blistering EP, Lackluster Writing Makes Fundamental Reading.
The EP has been widely praised across the music press including rave reviews on BBC 6 Music and a swelling live reputation thanks to a run of boisterous support slots with their genre adjacent Belfast neighbours Chalk.
RB
Running Out the clock
ROTC formed in Spring 2024 and started off building hype for their upcoming gigs with enticing and trendy covers posted on their instagram page. and are something of a true hidden gem of the music scene.
This juvenile four-piece are utilising social media to their advantage, creating videos jamming out to ‘Espresso’ by Sabrina Carpenter and ‘Girl, so confusing’ by Charli XCX, they truly know how to appeal to a Gen Z audience. Personally, I cannot wait to hear what originals Running out The Clock whip up.
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