9 new artists we love (and you should listen to)

We spend our days talking to the hardest-working people in the music industry—from boutique agency owners in Belgium to heavy metal tour managers in Germany. Naturally, we couldn't resist asking them the most important question of all: who's on your radar right now?

Here's what they came back with.

Half Me (metal)

• From: Hamburg, Germany
• Represented by: 1182 (eleveneightytwo)
• Booking agent: Kingstar Music
• Next shows: Latvia, Estonia, Finland — April 2026
• Instagram: @half_me.mp3

Max from 1182 describes the growth of this Hamburg-based band as "exponential." While many local bands struggle to break out, Half Me has bypassed the German template entirely to focus on an international strategy.

They completed their first US tour in late 2024 and are now building their global live footprint show by show.

Naomi (house)

• From: Berlin, Germany
• Represented by: Parachute Booking
• Booking agent: Parachute Booking
• Next shows: Ongoing — see @naomi.berlin_ for latest dates
• Instagram: @naomi.berlin_

According to booking agent Niels van Loo, Naomi is a Berlin-based, vinyl-forward artist who plays groovy, pumping house. Growing up as a competitive House dancer shaped her deep appreciation for the genre, and it shows in the way she commands a dancefloor.

She's already earned her stripes at respected clubs like Panorama Bar and Robert Johnson, and is one half of the production project Nice 2 Be Nice.

Niels predicts she'll be on a lot more people's radar as she continues to build her profile.

Some Lines (Japanese fusion)

• From: Japan
• Represented by: 1182 (eleveneightytwo)
• Booking agent: Not listed
• Next shows: To be announced
• Instagram: @somelinez

One of the most unique acts on this list. Max describes them as a Japanese act that combines beatboxing with the Shamisen, a traditional Japanese string instrument.

They've blown up on social media, and live demand is high—despite very few prior live credits. They're currently working on a soundtrack for a secret major project.

Bunt (stutter house / electronic folk)

• From: Stuttgart, Germany
• Represented by: Nick Groff (management)
• Booking agent: Wasserman Music (North America, Asia, Australia) / UTA (Europe & UK)
• Next shows: To be announced
• Instagram: @buntmusic

Anna Breitenfeld, festival booker at Open Beatz, highlights Bunt as the act she's most excited about right now. He has an "insane fanbase" and is incredibly charismatic on the floor.

He's known for doing boiler room-style sets where the audience surrounds the artist—letting you feel the energy in a way a traditional stage setup simply can't replicate.

His sound blends festival house with folk instruments, and once you hear it, it sticks.

Heartless / HRTLSSS (metal)

• From: United Kingdom
• Represented by: 1182 (Manager: Max Mader)
• Booking agent: None yet
• Next shows: To be announced
• Instagram: @hrtlssband

"We're cool kids... we do without vowels," says Max from 1182 about the stylized name of this UK act.

Heartless is a smaller artist just starting out, but they made the list because their music resonated with Max on a genuine, emotional level. He notes that seeing a small act like this grow is "the biggest reward you can have as an artist manager."

STVW (punk rave)

• From: Germany
• Represented by: 20 Agency
• Booking agent: BCB Family
• Next shows: To be announced
• Instagram: @stvwmusic

Looking for something a lil’ different? Anna Breitenfeld recommends STVW (pronounced "Steve W"). He's carving out a lane he calls "punk rave"—fusing EDM with pop-punk, emo, and rock—and distinguishing himself from a typical DJ set by performing live with his guitar.

Anna is particularly excited about his live shows featuring a drummer, which take the energy to a whole new level. He's already collaborated with Electric Callboy and Timmy Trumpet and has releases on Spinnin Records and Virgin EMI.

Doppelgang (electronic)

• From: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Represented by: Parachute Booking
• Booking agent: Parachute Booking
• Next shows: DGTL Amsterdam, April 3–5, 2026; ZeeZout Festival, June 26, 2026
• Instagram: @doppelgang_

Niels van Loo calls Doppelgang a "super interesting act" with a unique electronic sound. The duo—brothers Sander and Maurice de Graaf, born and raised in North Holland—have been building their name in Amsterdam's club scene since 2012, mixing Deep House, Neo-Chicago House, and Disco with contagious energy.

Winners of the Golden Gnome Award for Best New Talent, they've played Trouw, Watergate Berlin, and Paradiso. Breaking out internationally looks like the natural next step for these guys.

Blue Eyed Giants (metal / rock)

• From: London, United Kingdom
• Represented by: 1182 (Manager: Max Mader)
• Booking agent: None listed
• Next shows: To be announced
• Instagram: @blueyedgiants

Another pick from Max's roster, Blue Eyed Giants is a London-based act in the early stages of their career. Like Hrtlss, they were signed not only because they have something special to offer their audience, but also because their music resonated emotionally with the management team—proof that raw talent still wins over pure economics in the indie sector.

DJ Maria (techno / acid / psytrance)

• From: Osaka (now based in Tokyo), Japan
• Represented by: Octopus Agents
• Booking agent: Octopus Agents
• Next shows: Milan, Berlin, Shizuoka, and Taipei in April 2026, Tokyo and Nagano in May
• Instagram: @mariasatelles

Shared by Bartho, DJ Maria is repped by Octopus Agents. Born in Osaka and now based in Tokyo, she plays psychedelic acid, trance, and techno—and is part of a decorated lineage of Japanese underground selectas.

She broke through in Europe in 2024 with sets at Bassiani, FOLD, and Public Records, and was featured on Resident Advisor's RA.971 podcast as one of the most exciting techno artists of 2025. One to watch closely as her international profile continues to rise.

More artists, please!

We're always looking for new artists to listen to. Got the inside scoop on rising talent that deserves more streams and ticket sales? Let us know.