Sound of 2021

It's that time again, when the UK industry tries to steer the ship for the next 12 months. The longlist of names for its rundown has been released today:

BBC Sound of 2021 longlist includes Griff, Girl In Red and Greentea Peng - BBC News

The 10 acts in the running are:

Alfie Templeman
Berwyn
Bree Runway
Dutchavelli
Girl In Red
Greentea Peng
Griff
Holly Humberstone
Pa Salieu
The Lathums

I've heard of most of them already. But they do suggest 2021 could be a bit different.

The countdown happened last week, but didn't wave a ripple of interest. Here's the top 5 anyway:

05 Griff
04 Greentea Peng
03 Berwyn
02 Holly Humberstone
01 PA SALIEU

Well, there it is.

Box Fresh: 2021 Spotlight
To launch their new list, Abbie and Yinka went to Alexandra Palace to talk to and hear performances from Arlo Parks, The Snuts, Pa Salieu, Gracey and 220 Kid, all of whom have already had hits, some from 2019 even. Still, they're good shows.

Also in that Spotlight show were brief mentions for Ashnikko, Awa, Tion Wayne and Griff.

Fresh Focus: The Snuts
They hail from Scotland, and experience some rough jobs. They were able to get a lot of studio time to practice. They toured with Lewis Capaldi in the Autumn of 2019.

Fresh Focus: Arlo Parks
She was busy last year, writing her album. The songs were written over a long time. She talked of how she came up with her name.

Fresh Focus: Gracey
She's from Brighton, and started on Soundcloud before being spotted by Xenomania at 16. She spent time clubbing.

Fresh Focus: 220 Kid
He's a Londoner. He uses music as a form of therapy. He's had a couple of hits with collaborations already.

Fresh Focus: Pa Salieu
He's from Coventry, though has also spent time with family in the Gambia. He moved to London at the start of the pandemic. His parents are proud of his music. He's been in the business for 2 and a half years. I'd been pronouncing it Sal-yer, but it's Saloo apparently.