My 30th birthday is approaching. With a milestone generally comes a period of reflection for me, so I’ve been considering how best to put pen to paper with something of relevance for the site.

I was in my early 20s when I founded Record Weekly, but it was much later that it evolved into the tastemaker’s hub it is today. So, as things have inevitably changed over the past decade and I teeter on the cusp of a new one, I thought I could offer some insight into 30 artists who have massively grabbed my ears’ attention, by way of tribute to them and my roaring 20s. 

The Amazons

That debut album, with its car ablaze on the cover, sent me into a tailspin. ‘In My Mind’ and ‘Black Magic’ were insane displays of what I’d call a new age of rock, but little did I know, I’d go on to see them play four times, meet them at a record store performance, and find their lyrics so painfully accurate in so many cases. Up the Zons. 

The Ninth Wave

I used to spend a lot of time in Glasgow, and The Ninth Wave were a band who soundtracked my long train journeys up to the city. Their wistful harmonies, introspective, poetic words and crunching riff work was electric. I managed to witness an enchanting show at Òran Mór, then their final-ever gig before breaking up, at SWG3. 

The Mysterines

Here you have one of my current favourites. Since first hearing ‘Take Control’, I couldn’t help but think they’d go places. And, spoiler alert: they have. Led by the ferocious femme Lia, The Mysterines are Liverpool’s latest exceptional exports and I can’t wait to add a fourth ticket stub to their pile. Meeting them at Deer Shed Festival 2022 was a delight, too.

Nothing But Thieves

Before Record Weekly was spawned, I used to contribute written reviews to a rock music site. It was fun and pretty easygoing during my studies, but it was also then that I was introduced to the now-mighty Nothing But Thieves’ tunes. ‘Itch’ was a single so bombastic that I couldn’t wait to put pen to paper about their first album. And it went from there…

Flume

Okay, so most people might associate RW with heavier track reviews. But when it comes to electronics, Flume is an artist I’ve actually followed since my late teens. His reworked album with epic rappers such as Freddie Gibbs had me in awe, rinsing track after track. Beholding Flume’s coolness amid the strobes of The Warehouse Project was unbeatable. 

Wolforna

I can’t say enough about this life-changing band, so prepare for this blurb not to do them justice. They’ve been a pleasure to manage since I first set foot in Bradford’s Prospect Studios, where their hard work, tenacity and energy was unrivalled. I’d never heard such raw talent, without any hint of arrogance. They’re undoubtedly West Yorkshire’s finest heavy rock outfit, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I’d never met them, for so many reasons… 

Majesty Palm

Every time I see posts from or about Majesty Palm, I get a little bit giddier. Their soulful melodies and chunky ‘80s synths give throwback vibes aplenty, while harnessing the best styles of modern pop. You absolutely want to have a boogie the second you hear one of their bops. Writing their first band bio for them was a true pleasure. 

Kamora

During my short stint managing Kamora, an indie-rock band from between Glasgow and Edinburgh, I had a blast. At the time, Max, Stu and Dave were on a journey to get some new bangers out and match them with the most awesome artwork. I was totally hooked on their catchy tracks and, although I don’t work closely with Kamora anymore, you bet I still spin their songs! Legends. 

Bonobo

Somewhat like Flume, Bonobo sprang seemingly out of nowhere but I’ve not stopped listening since — and I won’t. I used to work in my local HMV, and it was when ‘Black Sands’ was delivered and shelved that the quality of this man’s work was revealed to me. I can dance to Bonobo; I can cry to Bonobo. What more could you ask for? 

Kid Kapichi

I’m chuffed that Hastings’ Kid Kapichi are on the up. I’ve seen them about a million times now but that’s still not enough; their angsty, politically fuelled blend of punk is so delectable that I just want more of it. So bring it on, and let’s riotously party. And ‘Tamagotchi’, an ode to those turning 30, couldn’t have been more fitting. 

swim school

Edinburgh’s swim school haven’t come in softly. And with Alice’s silken vocals, they have a USP amid their ever-heavier style. They’ve supported a load of talented acts on the rise now, and after the roaring ‘Give Me A Reason Why’ at the start of 2024, they sound more than ready — and capable — of making the next 12 months their wildest yet. 

Def Leppard

I will have been very young when I first heard Def Leppard. I was brought up on a healthy diet of hard rock as a child, which tended to span that of decades gone by. I can’t fathom how sweet it must’ve been to catch bands like these playing small pub and club gigs before reaching the holy stardom they have now. Just iconic status. 

While She Sleeps

If there’s one genre I turn off, it’s country — never metal. Even though shredding, screamo-punctuated music can be the devil’s work according to many, it’s far from that for me. While She Sleeps create the punchiest, catchiest offerings in the ultra-heavy spheres, and I’d be thrilled to see them again. 

Danny Brown

Certainly a more niche rap artist among US mic royalty, Danny Brown’s an innovator. His unique, jaunty vocals won’t be for everyone, but they’ve made my brother and I sit up and take note. So far, we’ve gone together to watch the man rip up the stage — and we’d go again. *Reaches for the Purity Ring collab…*

Saosin

In 2006, walking to school, eating dinner, buying studded belts, pelting water balloons at unsuspecting neighbours, riding bikes all Sunday long… it was all set to Saosin’s self-titled album. The highs, the lows; the ebbs, the flows. I was, quite simply, obsessed, and they were a band — my favourite at that — who taught me that music is the ultimate emotion-harnessing mechanism. 

Strange Bones

Loud, aggressively full of scuzzy riffs and always eager to give anyone who stares them down a dose of reality, Strange Bones are just so sick. While it’s frontman Bobby’s time to push his solo project to the fore now, ‘England Screams’ is a record that I’ll never switch off mentally or audibly. 

The Weeknd

Abel Tesfaye is up there as one of the biggest artists on the planet. Now, I’m no chart-follower, so this may be a jarring choice, but The Weeknd totally slaps. ‘Trilogy’ was a turning point of a release, and it rightly saw fame come the man’s way at rapid speed. I used to hike the volume up on those tunes — and I’d still do the same. 

Royal Blood

Two guys, one guitar, one drum set… Yeah, it doesn’t get simpler — or apparently any slicker. Between Mike and Ben, they’ve had modern rock music down to pat for many years now, and they know how to shred — whether that’s to a group of untrained festival-goers (*eyes emoji*) or an abundantly fulfilled crowd at First Direct Arena. 

Highly Suspect

There’s a cool American swagger to Highly Suspect, a band I stumbled upon by chance. Unused tickets due to unforeseen circumstances leaves them in the ‘maybe’ pile live, yet I’ll be jumping at the chance to catch Terrible Johnny and co on stage when next possible. ‘Canals’, ‘Bloodfeather’ and ’Natural Born Killer’ just leave chills. 

Bullet For My Valentine

Here’s another one from my youth. My fascination with Jackson guitars derived from my BFMV days, and I used to draw the four-piece’s logo on my school books to boot. ‘Tears Don’t Fall’? Anthem. ‘Hand Of Blood’? Huge. These lads knew what they were doing and they’re still firmly among my metal faves. 

HYYTS

My only experience with the coveted Summer Nights event at King Tut’s in Glasgow was when I saw HYTTS. Sam and Adam were the ideal pair to put on a dreamy, balmy August evening’s display of pure synth-pop, and although they’ve gone a bit quiet now, I still give their material a spin if I’m in a melancholic mood.

Loyle Carner

Rap music doesn’t quite get the credit it deserves in my ears these days. I used to play it persistently — and it would mostly be from US artists. But there’s something really inspiring and enjoyable about the offerings of Loyle Carner. ‘NO CD’ is perhaps his best track, though the intro to ‘The Isle Of Arran’ stops me dead.

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

Brash but polished, angsty yet handcrafted, Frank Carter and his merry Rattlesnakes are something else. They understand the showmanship that should come with being in a band of modern rock royalty, and they can command a crowd deftly as a result. They’re the kings of tattooed, bejewelled cool, truth be told. 

Joesef

Another of my Glaswegian go-tos is Joesef, a singer-songwriter with jazz-pop sensibilities from the city’s East End. For those moments you just want to sip coffee and people-watch in a café, his tunes are there; for times you fancy a hip-shake at home with a glass of wine, Joesef’s darling tones and upbeat melodies provide the soundtrack, too. Unreal.

Drella

I couldn’t talk about the past couple of years without mentioning Drella, a band I met via Wolforna and Prospect Studios. The Bradford boys are a punky trio going from strength to strength, and I try to get myself to their gigs as regularly as possible. And they’re a bunch of seriously nice lads, too, so I’m glad I get to mingle with them. 

Anberlin

Yeah, I was an emo kid. Black garms, side fringe, penchant for drawing lightning bolts on my wrists… the usual. So listening to emo music was all part and parcel, which meant that Anberlin were in frequent rotation. But in 2023, I rediscovered them, unearthing ‘Nothing Lost’ and ‘Animals’ among the classics, ‘Adelaide’ and ‘Paperthin Hymn’. 

Maribou State

The dancey, spacey electronics of Maribou State evoke holiday feels by the bucket-and-spade-load. They aren’t quite Bonobo in their stature for me mentally, but if I’m after a pick-me-up musically, their sunshine disposition transcends the airwaves and I just can’t help but bop along. Party playlist candy. 

Bakar

Again, somewhat down the rap lines of things, Bakar sits as an artist in a genre I don’t constantly listen to anymore, so he remains a firm fave. ‘All In’ was the first song I heard of his, and I was really absorbed by its wistful characteristics. Then I came to hear more from his ‘Badkid’ album and it’s just spiralled from there. 

Enola Gay

I remember being at Truck Festival with a pal in July 2022; the air was thick with warmth and everyone was buzzing. It had been a long slog to get there but I had a press pass myself, so my energy hadn’t dipped. One of my highlights (among a sea of them) was catching Irish punk-rockers Enola Gay, for the very first time. Bloody game-changing. 

Maggie Rogers

Last but not least, Maggie Rogers — a solo singer who I can’t claim to be an undying fan of, per se, but the writer/producer reminds me of an interesting period. A lot of change was afoot and I was acutely aware of being in a washing machine-esque time of new beginnings, which shaped what I have now. So she has my support.