Ones to watch: Up-and-coming female artists in music

With today being International Women’s Day, it’s the perfect time to shine some light upon the up-and-coming female artists flying under the radar.  

FLO 

It is somewhat shocking that this powerhouse girl group are still playing small venues despite their debut single ‘Cardboard Box’ going viral almost instantly in 2022. Since then, they have released their EP The Lead, which failed to chart, and many singles before finally releasing their debut studio album Access All Areas in November 2024. FLO draw on elements from 90s R&B and hip-hop, noting artists from Aaliyah and Etta James to Amy Winehouse as influences for their music. Their album features collaborations with both Cynthia Erivo and GloRilla and has received an overwhelmingly positive response.  

Could it be that Access All Areas marks the group’s breakthrough moment? In an interview with RNBX Magazine, FLO claim that the album is “a labour of passion and love”. FLO’s hard work is evident and they are certainly reaping the rewards: they are set to embark on their second headlining tour in March 2025. With only four UK tour dates, tickets are in high demand — be sure to grab yours! 

Siobhán Winifred 

Having recently witnessed her outstanding set supporting indie rock band The Snuts in Birmingham, it is safe to say that Siobhán Winifred is undoubtedly something of a ‘hidden gem’ within the music industry. Providing an ideal fusion of Phoebe Bridgers’ lyricism and Gracie Abrams’ vocals, her songs are intensely raw and emotional, paired with a compelling sound that any indie music lover will find impossible to resist. I also had the privilege of hearing a snippet of one of Winifred’s unreleased songs ‘Toothpaste’, which I’m sure we can expect to hear more of in the future.  

The influence of today’s ‘indie Gods’ on Winifred are undeniable: the essences of Sam Fender and the Arctic Monkeys bleed through into her debut EP Don’t Do Well Alone. Now is the perfect time to become obsessed with this new artist as she begins her tour, on the second floor, this April. Make sure you don’t miss out! 

Brooke Bentham 

Speaking of Sam Fender, fellow Geordie Brooke Bentham has recently joined the band and has proven herself as a valuable contributor towards Fender’s sound. In an interview with NME Magazine, he accredits Bentham with advocating for his most recent single ‘Arm’s Length’ to be a part of his upcoming third album People Watching, claiming that “her voice is all over the next album”. It is clear that Fender has supported and mentored Bentham throughout her career, for she claims, “When I first moved to London and started playing gigs, I looked to Sam for advice in terms of how to navigate it all”. 

Yet, Bentham’s music stands on its own and she deserves to finally step out from the shadows and become her own front woman. Her melancholy confessionals and deep cuts are severely underrated. She has so far released two albums: Everyday Nothing and Sunday Self, both released in 2020. However, the song that has stood the test of time is ‘I Need Your Body’ from her 2017 EP The Room Swayed with over three million plays on Spotify and a fan favourite to this day. 

So, if you want to hear more of the voice behind Fender’s People Watching, you now know where to look! 

Rina Sawayama 

As a singer, actress and model, Sawayama is an incredible triple threat. She has produced music on a prolific scale since 2013: from embarking on four tours and performing at 26 music festivals, she has reached 22 countries across four different continents! Despite her exposure, Sawayama remains overshadowed but has really come into her own with her most recent release Hold The Girl. Her music is, simply put, genre-defying, blending a range of styles and creating an original sound laced with inspiration from the 90s and noughties. 

 ‘This Hell’ is a firm favourite: a queer anthem and country-pop song that celebrates the perseverance of love in spite of prejudice. Sawayama’s activism has led her to be acknowledged by the British LGBT Awards and the Gay Times, with Lady Gaga describing her as “an experimental pop visionary who refuses to play by the rules”.  

Lola Young 

Chances are your ears have likely been blessed by Young’s single ‘Messy’ recently. An addictive song that exposes the paradoxical expectations enforced upon women and the impossibility of meeting them, ‘Messy’ currently sits at number one in the official singles chart. Yet, Young is anything but an overnight sensation, with ‘Messy’ having been out for more than 40 weeks before it reached number one. Once again, we have TikTok to thank for giving us yet another viral sensation! 

Her most recent album This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway might very well be the catalyst of her career, propelling her towards fame. Young is certainly booked and busy, set to grace the stages of Reading and Leeds Festival as well as Coachella, and embarking on a European tour. Young deserves to have her voice heard and is the perfect artist for anyone searching for affirmation that life is, indeed, messy.