It's that time of year again when we introduce you to some incredible artist to keep on your radar in 2020.

LYRA

There is no doubt that LYRA is on the rise.

The Cork singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist earlier this month released her anthemic new single ‘Mother’, an ode to LYRA’s Mum’s powerful words of encouragement to forget your insecurities and rise above the haters.

Inhaler

Meeting at school in 2012, and assuming their current line up in 2016, INHALER is a Dublin four-piece rock and roll band. Finally finished school in Summer 2018, the guys spent their time writing and rehearsing and gigging around Ireland, with occasional slots in the UK.

Their debut single 'I Want You' is included on the 2017 “This Is Garageland - Volume 1”, an album showcasing up and coming Irish acts, while Hot Press magazine featured INHALER in their “Hot for 2018” lost.

Having completed the Leaving Certificate in June 2018, they continue to fine-tune their live set, and focus on recording and releasing a growing repertoire of their own material.  They featured in the line-up for their first festivals (Indiependence and EP) in 2018, and sold out their first headliner in Whelan's Dublin on Sept 8th. In the final part of 2018, they have supported The Sherlocks, Blossoms, The Coronas, Picturehouse and toured with The Academic and supported Noel Gallagher's High flying Birds in June of 2019 in Malahide Castle.

Inhaler featured in last year's line-up for Dublin’s New Year’s Festival.

Presenter Favourites

Niall Dunne's Picks
Rebuke (Reuben Keeney) Donegal Ireland

Reuben Keeney a.k.a Rebuke is at the top of my list, for the last few years since Reuben turned the electronic world on its head with the distinctive sound he has been going from strength to strength. I find not a week goes by one or two of his productions feature on the Afterparty and also are a “go-to” in my live DJ sets. Rebuke set to take over the global underground in 2020.

Zondervan (Leon Clarke) Carlow Ireland

Leon Clarke aka Zondervan is making massive waves on the Irish Trance scene with a fresh take each time on the tech-trance sound, regularly featured artist on the show and a pioneer for the Irish scene, 2020 will see this guy explode on the global circuit.

 

Dean Brennan (The Decknician)

Dean Brennan aka The Decknician is far and beyond one of the most exciting DJs to emerge in recent years, hailed by many as the next Eddie Halliwell, rocking the underground to its foundations is always expected when this guy takes to the stage, with his productions following suit, 2020 will see the Decknician hit the next level with intent!

Valerie Wheeler's Picks

Aitch

British rapper /started his career rapping in the school yard/Only 18/ Could be good year for him in 2020, hes already not doing to bad.

Sam Tompkins

At only 21 years old singer/songwriter Sam Tompkins has performed alongside the likes of Krept and Konan, recorded with MNEK, gained attention from Bebe Rexha, Bastille and Passenger and had his original song ‘Chains’ feature in Noel Clarke’s smash hit ‘Brotherhood’.

This is all just the start of a very special journey for this exciting new artist so keep your eyes peeled and your ears open as we can assure you that you’ll be hearing a lot more from Sam this year!

Ed Roche's Picks

Fletcher

This singer released her EP in 2019 called 'you ruined new york city for me' and it spawned the tracks 'If You're Gonna Lie' & Undrunk.

Good news for this star is that she's going on tour in 2020 with Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan.

Winona Oak

Born and raised in the Nordic Forrest of Sweden, Winona Oak is certainly one to watch for 2020.
She's already released a song with The Chainsmokers called Hope and had the ever catchy 'He Don't Love Me' which was one of Eds favourite songs of 2019. Take a listen to the track here and look forward to more jams from Winona in 2020.

Minke

UK born and based in LA this woman is obsessed with anyone from The Spice Girls to Fleetwood Mac. She's been recording music for a few years now but is still waiting to set the charts alight! Could 2020 be her year?
She released her album 'The Tearoom' in 2019 and gave us the tracked 'Something Better' and 'Gold Angel'.
We reckon she's an artist we'll probably hear on Love Island at some point and then all fall in love with her voice just like Freya Ridings.

Shane Buck's Picks

Joy Crookes

Joy Crookes is a 21-year-old Bangladeshi-Irish neo-soul singer-songwriter from South London. She has been releasing music since 2017. ‘Reminiscence’ is her second EP and was initially inspired by my first ever trip to Bangladesh. It’s an EP of love songs but also a personal celebration of history, London and her dual heritage.

She is also shortlisted for theCritics Choice Award at the 2020 Brit Awards as well as for Best Push Act at the 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Jay Crookes is DEFINITELY one to watch for 2020 – Watch this space!

Curtis Walsh

Originally from Clondalkin in Dublin, 18-year-old singer-songwriter Curtis Walsh moved with his family to Laois, which is where he says he began to grow a solid fanbase by playing local gigs.

With over 5 million streams, I think it’s safe to say he had two hugely successful debut singles ‘Full Recovery’ and ‘Perfect Rain’. His latest song 'Seven Seas' has picked up plays across Ireland and in the UK.

He has already performed with acts such as LANY, Walking On Cars, Tom Walker and James TW.

Moncrieff

There's been a lot of 'next big thing' talk around Moncrieff, with the word on the street being that the Waterford man is set to take the pop world by storm. He has been in the spotlight of SPIN South West, BBC Radio 1 and Beats 1.

His song, 'Like I Do' which was released earlier this year is a great example of what’s to come in 2020, setting the scene nicely for his EP The Early Hurts.

Moncrieff has been working as a recording artist and honing his craft in London over the past few years. He’s worked with some huge artists in that time – most notably when he earned himself a role as a backing vocalist for Adele. Yeah..THE Adele.

He is definitely one to watch for 2020.

Darren Regan's Picks

JC Stewart

Recently named as one of MTV’s Ones To Watch for 2020, JC already has fans falling under his spell. His previous single ‘Pick Up Your Phone’ received support across Irish radio. He is set to release his debut EP ‘The Wrong Ones’ on January 10th. JC has already earned himself some famous fans such as Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan, having co-written Capaldi’s hot song ‘Hollywood’ plus a charismatic stage presence as evidenced by his headline tour next year including a date at Dublin’s The Academy on May 27th and it’s clear JC Stewart is poised to make a major breakthrough this year.

Robbie Doherty

DJ & Producer Robbie Doherty from Ballymoney in Northern Ireland, dropped this absolute anthem, 'Pour The Milk' this year and we cannot wait to see what he does in 2020.

Yungblud

2019 was a great year for Yungblud and it's only going up from here. Big things expected from him in 2020.