It’s been a funny few years for the East Midlands. Away from our usual arguments that there is, in fact, such thing as a ‘cob’, we’ve found a king in the car park and gone against the odds and won the Premier League. As if we haven’t already provided the best picnic foods: Walkers Crisps, pork pies, stilton cheese, the East Midlands have also been rolling out some of the greatest sounds. We’re home to Jake Bugg, Kasabian and Sleaford Mods, and birthed your indie gems from D.I.D to Saint Raymond to Amber Run in between.

There’s definitely nothing wrong with the middle man, and here are ten of the best new artists in the midlands that you should be keeping your ears out for.

1. James Cherry

Who is he?

A cheeky looking chappy with a big heart, and a voice to match.

What does he sound like?

Baring his soul and all of the intricate heartache that comes with the exposure, the Leicester artist documents broken relationships and a reckless youth in his home truths. Delivered honestly, with raw aggression and honest slips, the tracks are hard to forget and you wouldn’t want to.

Start with:

Why Don’t You Listen – a bluesy cry out where layered falsettos cradle vulnerability.

2. The Lids

Who are they?

Two brothers and their best mate, following their football team in being Leicester’s underdogs.

What do they sound like?

Moving with a streetwise swagger and throwing down their attitude like a can of cider to the ground, The Lids still manage to maintain an air of cool to be envied. Prowling with a tempting danger, their tracks feature quick-witted lyricism and rollicking riffs that apparently just come from the flow of regular jam sessions. Just wait for the can to explode and spray the walls with their uncaged punk angst.

Start with:

The brooding Church embodies a temper tantrum. It needs to be played on the Tuesday alt club night.

3. Courtney Askey

Who is she?

An endearing songstress painting her own little world with her songs.

What does she sound like?

Adding a gothic spin to folksy tales, Courtney’s honey-coated vocals lather mesmerising but taunting riffs in hypnotic songs that rip out your heart. Lo-fi and grungy, there’s an angelic essence to the melancholic darkness that descends across her debut album; ‘Oh! Softly Goes’.

Start with:

Paris Apartment, the hazy but delightful debut single from her signing to Blizzard Records.

4. Magique

Who is he?

An enigma. You won’t find any information about who Magique is. Just know and trust that he’s pretty good at this music stuff. Take this as a tip.

What does he sound like?

Synth goodness, with the same amount of waves as a relaxing paradise beach – no more, no less. Soaked in reverb, the melodies are lustful, whilst basslines add a sun-tinted groove. The vocals may have a pinch of salt to them, but that only adds to the nostalgic tales.

Start with

Latest single Real Love fizzes with euphoria.

5. Webbo and the Soft Boys

Who are they?

Five lads with the intentions of becoming Nottingham’s sweethearts by making dad rock cool again.

What do they sound like?

With rumbling basslines, vocal purrs and relentless riffs, let the softies transport you to a land of psychedelia. Sometimes woozy, often dreamlike, always stylish, the tracks are smooth and the lyrics act as riddles to unstitch post-boogie.

Start with

A Colour Only I See – their latest single casts a gentle groove, weaving traces of glitter.

6. Pet Crow

Who are they?

The Derby pals grab you by the arm to join their punk band revved by joyous energy.

What do they sound like?

Squalling vocals collide with riffs that could quite literally take flight, that’s if the drums weren’t so menacing at keeping them all on the ground. Breaking any sorts of mould, the four piece are flirtatious and playful with glorious rhythm sections and infectious childlike squeals.

Start with

‘She’s Back’, a single featuring 80s dream pop vocals and a kicking rhythm that never tires. Catch it on their debut album ‘A Simple Guide to Small and Medium Pond Life’.

7. Dogland

Who is he?

A wistful romantic producer/songwriter feeding into the underground movement in Lincoln.

What does he sound like?

Slow moving tunes that act as a comforter. Each listen of the delicate tracks proves different, leaving crafted layers to be explored. Distant vocals float atop subtle but all-encompassing, jazz beats, allowing full immersion into the sweet freedom.

Start with

Interior Design. A lo-fi, addictive number about buying a house and decorating it up all nice.

8. Cherry Hex & The Dream Church

Who are they?

A mesmerising duo that standalone with intriguing minimalism.

What do they sound like?

The warped indie-electro duo are aware of their bewitching power; weighing up glittered chiming synths and subtle RnB rhythms to only caress the clear, eloquent female vocal. But with every light comes darkness, and their fairy-tale-esque debut EP ‘Tea Tears’ tells the cautionary tales of paper people and greed.

Start with

‘Honeypot’, sang like a half threat/half secret, a wonderful innocence wraps itself around this heartbeat replicating track.

9. By The Rivers

Who are they?

A six-strong band writing for the good vibes and spreading some words of wisdom.

What do they sound like?

Their attitude is sky-blue and their melodies sunny. Twisting the vibrancy of reggae, pop, soul and afrobeat into a delicious and tangible blend, there’s a glowing aura around every By The Rivers track – a unity of six truly passionate and affectionate musicians.

Start with

Get summer started with singalong ‘What You See’, the title track of their latest EP.

10. Silver Wilson

Who are they?

A three piece of dance inducers.

What do they sound like?

Shaking up pop sensibilities, chant-along choruses and soaring melodies into a feel-good cocktail, Silver Wilson’s charismatic flair is the cherry on top. Tropical-sounding rhythms with a polished vocal adds a refreshing twist to your typical indie pop.

Start with

You’d be a ‘Fool’ not to listen to their latest single, it’s fun and more-ish. Just like a pina colada.

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