The alternative music scene is constantly growing and evolving, and 2024 saw the rise of many emerging acts, whose success allowed them to unite an army of new fans. From releasing hit singles and achieving viral success on social media, to iconic collaborations and securing high-profile slots at a variety of different festivals, each of these artists had game-changing years that announced them as the new breed who demand attention.
Far more than many other genres, the alternative music scene offers huge potential for new waves of fans and new artists. 2024 was no exception, with many breakout acts taking the music industry in general by storm and allowing heavier music to meet the mainstream in a more accessible way. There were many artists who had successful breakthroughs in 2024, but these 10 acts feel like the ones most worth keeping an eye on in 2025 as they look to build on their successes.
10Harpy
Experimental Rock Innovators
Known as the alternative scene’s ‘metal mommy’,Harpy burst onto the music scene when she initially debuted her project opening for UK alt-metal band Wargasm on theirVenomalbum tour in 2023.Typically adorned in a variety of latex, leather and gothic harnesses, Harpy has carved a distinct image and sound within the modern metal scene.
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Picking up new fans at every live show, Harpy’s impact is infectious. Delivering powerful vocals, encompassing empowering lyrics and releasing a string of accessible metal singles,Harpy is an artist to keep an eye on right now after their international support slot for Wargasm in 2024.
9Alt Blk Era
Alternative Hip-Hop Collective
2024 was a very exciting year for alternative duo Alt Blk Era, who burst onto the alternative music scene in 2022.Combining elements of pop, rock and metal, the two sisters achieved several milestones last year, performing in a packed tent at Download Festival, achieving over one million streams on their song “My Drummer’s Girlfriend”, and even collaborating with iconic band Wheatus for a more recent rendition of the track. Ending the year with a unique alt-pop track, “Hunt You Down”, Alt Blk Era are surely destined for stardom in 2025 and are, without question, worth checking out.
8Spiritbox
Metalcore Trailblazers
Following on from being nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023 for their single “Cellar Door”, Spiritbox won the award for Best International Live Artist at the Heavy Music Awards 2024.The band released two roaring singles in 2024 and embarked on international tours, supporting the likes of Korn. Spiritbox are set to support Linkin Park on their upcoming 2025From ZeroWorld Tour, and their next album release,Tsunami Sea, will be released on June 14, 2025.
The band even had an iconic collaboration in 2024, following on from a remix Spiritbox made of Megan Thee Stallion’s single “Cobra”, where they were featured on the hip-hop superstar’s albumMEGAN: ACT IIon the track “TYG”.
The band was formed in 2017 by lead vocalist Courtney LaPlante and Michael Stringer, with their 2020 single “Holy Roller” becoming a viral hit. The band’s debut album,Eternal Blue, was released in 2021 and further achieved the band’s place within the modern metal scene. However, 2024 marked many breakthrough achievements for the band as their work was recognized by major awards worldwide, and their live performance was exposed to wider audiences as they embarked on more international tour dates and supporting legendary acts within the metal scene.
7Split Chain
Post-Hardcore Pioneers
Split Chain are a band who are an example of rapid success in the alternative music industry, as they garnered hundreds and thousands of listeners and fans in 2024. Pioneering the nu-metal scene with a unique wash of shoegaze and alternative rock, Split Chain have created a sound that is unique to them but familiar to fans who enjoy the likes of Deftones. Securing a slot at Slamdunk Festival 2025, Split Chain are making waves in the scene at a rapid rate, and are definitely worth keeping an eye on as they continue to grow.
6RØRY
Alternative R&B Rising Star
RØRY, otherwise known as Roxanne Emery, is an alt-pop English artist who has made a huge impact in the alternative music scene. Releasing her debut albumRestorationthis month, the blue-haired singer writes songs about the various obstacles that life can present at any moment, with lyrics that resonate with the large audience that RØRY accumulated last year.Winning Best UK Breakthrough Artist at the Heavy Music Awards in 2024,playing to huge crowds of fans, and securing prolific slots at Slam Dunk and 2000 Trees this year, RØRY is continuing to make waves in the alternative music scene.
5Bambie Thug
Raw and Gritty Grunge Sound
Curating their very own genre, ‘ouija pop’, Bambie Thug had an explosive year in 2024. The Cork-born artist was chosen to represent Ireland at Eurovision in 2024 with their outstanding entry “Doomsday Blue”,which was co-written with some of the UK modern metal scene’s leading forces, including Wargasm’s Sam Matlock, Cassyette, and Tylr Ryder.
The entry secured Ireland their best result in the competition for a long time, achieving a commendable sixth place.
Following their Eurovision success, Bambie Thug has performed numerous prolific festival slots, including the main stage at Download festival in 2024.Recently completing their “Crown The Witch” international tour, the artist is set to support Babymetal on their upcoming UK and European tour, alongside Poppy.
4Poppy
Pushing The Boundaries of Pop
From pop to industrial to metal, there isn’t a style of music that Poppy can’t do. The American artist has seen mainstream success over the years due to her accessible take on metal music.However, 2024 allowed the artist to truly blossom, releasing her sixth and heaviest album to date,Negative Spaces.
In 2024 she also collaborated with Bad Omens on their track “V.A.N”, and she will play Download Festival and be supporting Babymetal on their upcoming UK and European tour in 2025.
The singer also received a Grammy nomination, which would be her second Grammy nomination, for Best Metal Performance for her collaboration with Knocked Loose on their explosively heavy song, “Suffocate”. In 2024 she also collaborated with Bad Omens on their track “V.A.N”, and she will play Download Festival and be supporting Babymetal on their upcoming UK and European tour in 2025.
3South Arcade
Retrofuturistic Synthwave
What was once a TikTok band has now become a viral success with hundreds of thousands of dedicated fans and a bunch of impressive live shows behind their backs.South Arcade is an example of how many artists have the potential to achieve success through social media. With every one of their songs sounding just like a familiar and nostalgic hit from the early 2000s, the band have appropriately titled their brand-new EP,2005. The band will be supporting Magnolia Park on their upcomingVAMPTour which spans across a string of dates across North America.
2Vana
Dreamy Indie Pop Sensations
Vana, an American-born, New Zealand-based metal artist, rapidly garnered thousands of fans in a short space of time in 2024 with her hit single “Beg”.The song went viral on social media from the artist’s various reels featuring the song, becoming an overnight success due to its unique take on modern metal.
What followed on from “Beg” for the rest of 2024 was a string of more hits,with each release allowing the artist to accumulate more and more fans around the world. The artist ended the year on a high, releasing their EP,Trial & Terror, which had a viral impact within its first few days of release.
1Knocked Loose
Breaking Barriers in Hardcore
Modern hardcore punk band,Knocked Loose, made waves in 2024 when they announced their latest album,You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To. The third studio album by the band, whose music has also been described as metalcore, featured the Grammy-nominated track “Suffocate”, which featured Poppy on vocals and was nominated for Best Metal Performance. Following the song’s success,the band had the opportunity to perform “Suffocate” alongside Poppy on Jimmy Kimmel Live, surprising many fans all around the world.
Knocked Looseare set to continue making an impact as they embark on their upcoming UK and European tour in March 2025. Not only was 2024 an amazing year for the alternative scene, but it also showcased many an example of the unique diversity and talent that the scene has to offer. Every one of the artists on this list pushed boundaries in their genres, blending a variety of different styles and was allowed to carve a distinct sound and image that is integral to them. From Grammy nominations being seen from the metal scene, to viral sensations affirming that there are global fanbases for the alternative scene, alternative music is in a very exciting place right now which can only improve in 2025.
