Scottish Artists To Watch In 2025

New year, new bands, new obsessions. Scotland’s music scene is a constantly morphing beast, spitting out fresh talent, combing boundary-defying genres, with the raw energy that keeps the Scottish music scene constantly evolving. Whether you’re into massive indie anthems, left-field electronic experiments, or something that defies categorisation entirely, 2025 is shaping up to be another huge year for grassroots Scottish Music.

So, dive into our list of Scottish Acts To Watch in 2025… before everyone else catches on.

With a punchy, early 2000’s coming-of-age guitar sound paired with relatable Gen Z lyrics, SISTER MADDS took 2024 in their stride. They wrapped up a “teeny tiny” Scottish tour, a Walt Disco support slot at SWG3, and a headline slot at King Tut’s Summer Nights. This February, they are playing a cheeky, post-valentine headline slot appropriately called “A One Night Stand with SISTER MADDS.” 2025 looks set to be a huge year for SISTER MADDS.

Dundee’s Katie Nicoll is riding a wave of momentum into 2025, kicking off the year with BBC Introducing love for her new track With You (Na Na Na). Last year saw her charm audiences at Resonate 2024, Manchester’s Northenden Fringe to BBC Scotland’s Track of the Week with Jodie Said. Katie Nicoll is a radiant force of indie-pop brilliance, emerging as a new shining star of Scotland’s indie-pop scene.

Crawford Mack creates introspective music, intertwining strands of Jazz, alternative folk and rock. He kicked off 2025 with a sold-out gig in Glasgow’s Glad Cafe. In 2024 he played a BBC Radio London live session, played an acoustic set at Resonate and supported songwriter and vocalist Naomi Banks in London. Crawford Mack just sold out the Glad Cafe and is set to continue packing out venues throughout 2025.

Aberdeen’s Ay Bangz is crafting a new wave of ambient RnB, dripping in late-night nostalgia and city-lit melancholy. After turning heads with his 2024 single About You and a strong showing at Resonate 2024, he’s kicking off 2025 with Bon Accord Baby, a love letter to his hometown. His ability to fuse hazy production with slick, emotive vocals sets him apart in Scotland’s growing alt-RnB scene. Expect his name—and his sound—to spread far beyond the Granite City this year.

Lacuna's sound feels like a chilly, early morning, warmed by pouring scoops of coffee into your favourite mug. They left 2024 with a SAMA nomination, live EP “Greenhouse Baby” overflowing with alt-folk fuzziness, a support slot with US folk group Infinity Song and plenty of love from BBC Introducing Scotland. Going into 2025, the 6-piece stands out as one of the most exciting alternative bands in the scene. 

Thurso’s indie rock torchbearers Forgetting the Future stormed through 2024 with a Belladrum slot, three Irish dates, and a mainstage moment at Heartlands. They also made waves at Resonate 2024, proving their anthemic, high-energy sound is built for big stages. With a headline UK tour kicking off in March, 2025 is set to be a career-defining year. Expect soaring choruses, raw emotion, and a band ready to cement their place in Scotland’s indie elite.

Glaswegian quartet Vanderlye only formed in August 2023 but has since released a handful of engaging alternative indie singles. Kicking off 2025, Vanderlye released their latest single "Romantic Anarchy” which offers warm, dreamy harmonies infused with their gentle guitar sound and has already racked up support from tastemaker Jim Gellatly. They had another strong start to the year, as they took to King Tut’s stage as part of the venue's New Year’s Revolution.

Glasgow’s M4CHA is taking house music back to its sweaty, euphoric roots—then flipping it on its head. Drawing inspiration from ‘90s club culture but injecting it with a future-facing edge. With a string of singles already under their belt and a relentless hunger to push their sound further, 2025 is theirs for the taking. If you’re not already moving to M4CHA, you’re dancing to the wrong beat.

Glasgow-based producer Mokulsa blends spectral folk with weightless dream-pop, crafting a sound that feels like stepping into another world. She closed out 2024 with a BBC Radio 6 Mixtape feature and a hauntingly beautiful set at Resonate, cementing her as one of Scotland’s most intriguing new artists. 2025 began with a debut slot at Celtic Connections, proving her music belongs in both intimate venues and grand stages alike. Expect Mokulsa to move further into the spotlight this year, weaving her spell one track at a time.

Falkirk’s Danko are gearing up for a massive 2025, launching into the year with a five-date UK tour and a hotly anticipated EP, Take Your Time. Their no-frills, full-throttle rock sound turned heads and is setting them apart in Scotland’s thriving alt scene. A recent Clash review called them “ones to watch,” and with their gritty, stadium-ready energy, that feels like an understatement. Get on board now before these lads explode in 2025.

With a name like Roller Disco Death Party, you’d expect chaos, and that’s exactly what this Glasgow outfit delivers—in the best way possible. After storming Resonate 2024, SWG3’s Houses and Tenement Trail, they wrapped up 2024 with their track Day By Day becoming the theme tune for Late Night at the Euros with Compston and Smart. They’re barely a year in and already carving out a reputation as one of Scotland’s most exhilarating live bands. Keep an eye on them in 2025, because this party is only getting started.

Led by Emma Murdoch, Grayling’s Americana-infused sound took flight in 2024, earning her a SAMA nomination for Best Acoustic and a standout showcase artist at Resonate 2024. Her debut EP Cardinal Fire burns with raw, heartfelt songwriting, capturing a mix of tenderness and grit. With a New Year’s Day slot at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and upcoming performances at King Tut’s and The AMA UK in London, 2025 is already shaping up to be a defining year. Murdoch’s voice is one that lingers—fragile yet fierce, and impossible to ignore.

Tina Sandwich (name taken from lead singer Tilly O’Connor’s hyper-fixation with tuna sandwiches) offers grungy alt-indie pop infused with hearty lyrics, covering everything from dark winters to a cartoon frog called Felipe. Having begun 2024 with the stand-out single “Joni”, this was followed up with the August EP, “For the World” and a BBC Radio Scotland live session. That Autumn, they went on tour with London group LEAP. After a whirlwind of European venues and countryside Airbnb's on the road, Tina Sandwich is ready to take on 2025.

Fresh off LA writing sessions and racking up over a million Spotify listeners, Archie is the kind of artist who bridges the gap between viral success and genuine artistry. His single Colourblind showcased his knack for raw, melodic storytelling, earning him a headline slot at The Hug and Pint and a key performance at Resonate 2024. With a growing social media following and a deeply personal songwriting style, 2025 looks like the year he steps into the spotlight properly. Expect big things, because Archie isn’t just making music—he’s making moments.

Glasgow DJ and producer Dan South spent 2024 cementing his name in Scotland’s club scene, tearing up festival slots at SWG3’s Houses and Tenement Trail. With a support run that saw him open for The Snuts and Catfish and the Bottlemen’s comeback gig, he’s proven he can hold his own alongside the big names. With 2025 shaping up to be even bigger, Dan South is primed for dancefloor domination.