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Hot For 2021
Andrew Marston looks back at the biggest success stories from the last 12 months and showcases his ‘Ones To Watch’ for 2021.
Andrew Marston looks back at the biggest success stories from the last 12 months and showcases his ‘Ones To Watch’ for 2021.
Plus the organisers of Lakefest are on, who insist it's full steam ahead as they look forward to welcoming Razorlight, Seasick Steve, Echo & The Bunnymen, Ash, The Magic Numbers, New Model Army, Stereo MCs, Sugarhill Gang & The Vengaboys to Herefordshire this summer.
As we look ahead to festival season, we catch up with one man who attends more of them than any other musician we've met! Bewdley's Dave Small has a passion for rhythm, having spent time learning his craft in Africa, while collecting rare percussion instruments to introduce to a new audience in the UK.
In our Musicians' Masterclass, we look at Building Your Ideas & Discovering New Opportunities. We're chatting to one of the people that books the bands for SXSW in Austin, Texas, plus author, podcaster, presenter and GP Dr Rangan Chatterjee who offers top advice on looking after yourself - mentally and physically - so you can be a top class musician.
Last on
Sun 3 Jan 202118:00
BBC Hereford & Worcester
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Hot For 2021
Duration: 01:01:32
Andrew Marston's Top Ten
It’s my annual countdown of my favourite acts from the last 12 months - and what a year it’s been...
Since the March lockdown - 231,422 tracks have been sent into BBC Music Introducing! And while the world’s been a lot more creative, naturally the quality of sound has diminished with more people using domestic equipment to record their work and collaborate digitally rather than in person.
It’s also been the year of the virtual gig; not only have musicians embraced audio and visual streaming platforms - but music fans have flocked to such services as the hunger to be entertained hit an all-time high. The lack of human contact has also seen the comeback of raves, the birth of drive-in gigs (like at the Abbey Stadium in Redditch) and the creation of socially-distanced events - such as the Worcester Disco Festival. Who would have thought our first large-scale outdoor gathering wouldn’t be until the end of the summer? But it’s also cost us venues like the Artrix in Bromsgrove and the Worcester Arts Workshop, who simply weren’t able to pay the bills.
Our biggest-selling songwriters have continued to reach new heights. Kington’s Ellie Goulding achieved another #1 album, Bewdley’s Becky Hill spent more than a year in the album charts with her debut release - as did Redditch/Evesham’s Harry Styles with his album Fine Line. We’ve also seen the meteoric rise to fame by Weobley’s 220 Kid, whose debut single dominated the charts for a large swathe of the lockdown. Malvern’s Paul Farrer rewrote the theme to the Weakest Link, which was relaunched in America, and enjoyed heightened success with Michael McIntyre, The Chase and Dancing On Ice.
But with the astonishing volume of new music, we’ve also lost some of biggest movers and shakers in our area. 2020 was the year we said goodbye to Jez Cole - who run the Worcester School of Rock & Performance, Ian King - who split his time between writing folk music and composing for Worcester Cathedral, and ‘The Rev’ Genghis Memphis - the energetic and humorous frontman of the Worcester band Massive Head Trauma. After a year of Redditch musicians campaigning for a reduction in knife crime, we tragically lost one of our most up-and-coming artists to that very issue - Colton Bryan.
The biggest problem, as we move into the next 12 months, is that of money. Music has become one of the most consumable products but with so many of our creatives having to take up other jobs to make ends meet, it’s high time we find a fairer system where musicians aren’t treated like premiership footballers or Sunday league players - all or nothing. People have never been more willing to support the arts - we just need those platforms to follow suit. Quite how that happens - I think the whole industry is open to ideas...
Since the March lockdown - 231,422 tracks have been sent into BBC Music Introducing! And while the world’s been a lot more creative, naturally the quality of sound has diminished with more people using domestic equipment to record their work and collaborate digitally rather than in person.
It’s also been the year of the virtual gig; not only have musicians embraced audio and visual streaming platforms - but music fans have flocked to such services as the hunger to be entertained hit an all-time high. The lack of human contact has also seen the comeback of raves, the birth of drive-in gigs (like at the Abbey Stadium in Redditch) and the creation of socially-distanced events - such as the Worcester Disco Festival. Who would have thought our first large-scale outdoor gathering wouldn’t be until the end of the summer? But it’s also cost us venues like the Artrix in Bromsgrove and the Worcester Arts Workshop, who simply weren’t able to pay the bills.
Our biggest-selling songwriters have continued to reach new heights. Kington’s Ellie Goulding achieved another #1 album, Bewdley’s Becky Hill spent more than a year in the album charts with her debut release - as did Redditch/Evesham’s Harry Styles with his album Fine Line. We’ve also seen the meteoric rise to fame by Weobley’s 220 Kid, whose debut single dominated the charts for a large swathe of the lockdown. Malvern’s Paul Farrer rewrote the theme to the Weakest Link, which was relaunched in America, and enjoyed heightened success with Michael McIntyre, The Chase and Dancing On Ice.
But with the astonishing volume of new music, we’ve also lost some of biggest movers and shakers in our area. 2020 was the year we said goodbye to Jez Cole - who run the Worcester School of Rock & Performance, Ian King - who split his time between writing folk music and composing for Worcester Cathedral, and ‘The Rev’ Genghis Memphis - the energetic and humorous frontman of the Worcester band Massive Head Trauma. After a year of Redditch musicians campaigning for a reduction in knife crime, we tragically lost one of our most up-and-coming artists to that very issue - Colton Bryan.
The biggest problem, as we move into the next 12 months, is that of money. Music has become one of the most consumable products but with so many of our creatives having to take up other jobs to make ends meet, it’s high time we find a fairer system where musicians aren’t treated like premiership footballers or Sunday league players - all or nothing. People have never been more willing to support the arts - we just need those platforms to follow suit. Quite how that happens - I think the whole industry is open to ideas...
#1: George Barnett - Up All Night
He featured in my Ones To Watch list four, five, seven and eight years ago - so, you can see he’s an artist of some considerable quality, but this is the first time George Barnett has been crowned our king!
AKA George, as he's also been known, has lived all over - but it was during his time in Leominster that he really got noticed. In 2016, he performed at Glastonbury on the BBC Introducing stage - after sending his music into us!
We first met George in 2011 when he was writing 17 songs, every 17 days, for his 17th birthday album '17 days'. In 2013, we put him on stage at SnodFest, near Pershore, and passed his track No Idea onto BBC Radio 1, who added it to their daytime playlist. Just one year later, we had him perform for us at the Wychwood Festival, where he released 'Animal Keeper' which we, again, got onto Radio 1. Later that year, we passed his music onto BBC Radio 2 who put him on in Hyde Park.
After a quiet couple of years, George has stormed back onto the local scene and made his way straight to the top of our chart.
“He’s now been in our end-of-year top tens on five occasions - more than any other artist - and, this year, walks away with the top spot. Enough said?"
AKA George, as he's also been known, has lived all over - but it was during his time in Leominster that he really got noticed. In 2016, he performed at Glastonbury on the BBC Introducing stage - after sending his music into us!
We first met George in 2011 when he was writing 17 songs, every 17 days, for his 17th birthday album '17 days'. In 2013, we put him on stage at SnodFest, near Pershore, and passed his track No Idea onto BBC Radio 1, who added it to their daytime playlist. Just one year later, we had him perform for us at the Wychwood Festival, where he released 'Animal Keeper' which we, again, got onto Radio 1. Later that year, we passed his music onto BBC Radio 2 who put him on in Hyde Park.
After a quiet couple of years, George has stormed back onto the local scene and made his way straight to the top of our chart.
“He’s now been in our end-of-year top tens on five occasions - more than any other artist - and, this year, walks away with the top spot. Enough said?"
#2: Bad Money - Who We Are
I first discovered the members of Redditch’s Bad Money playing in the band LostAtHome. Instantly, I fell in love.
Their music was upbeat, fun, catchy - and, most importantly, felt like you’d heard it a million times before. In the best way possible.
The familiarity of their tracks - tracks you’ve not yet heard - is a direct line to success and I was honoured to have them play their debut gig for me at our virtual Nozstock in 2020.
After their live session, I said they’re "a band who are on top of their game; pure pop/rock that is a sure fire contender for being one of my artists of the year”. Living up to my word, here they are…
Their music was upbeat, fun, catchy - and, most importantly, felt like you’d heard it a million times before. In the best way possible.
The familiarity of their tracks - tracks you’ve not yet heard - is a direct line to success and I was honoured to have them play their debut gig for me at our virtual Nozstock in 2020.
After their live session, I said they’re "a band who are on top of their game; pure pop/rock that is a sure fire contender for being one of my artists of the year”. Living up to my word, here they are…
#3: Apples - Monty Built This House
Apples and I go way back! You could say - if it wasn’t for this band - I wouldn’t have landed the job as presenter of BBC Music Introducing, becoming one of the founding fathers of the platform the BBC uses to discover new music!
Years ago, this group were called Brandon Steep and I used to put a band night on upstairs at The Imperial, in Hereford, on Wednesday nights. Brandon Steep were so good, they become my monthly resident. I loved them!
As I got more involved with the BBC, so did they - becoming one of the last bands to ever be played by the late great John Peel.
In 2009, the renamed Apples signed a publishing deal with Universal. A single, Reason 45, was released the same year and immediately became BBC Radio 6 Music's Single of the Week and Q Magazine's Track of the Day.
Next year’s follow-up release, Theo, became an earworm for gamers all over the globe when it featured on Pro Evolution Soccer 2011.
And then, on the eve of a make-or-break European tour, their lead singer left. Despite quickly finding a new singer, the momentum had been lost.
The band went their separate ways and a hard drive full of some of the most joyous, heart-felt and danceable guitar pop recorded this millennium was left to gather dust. Until now...
Having been taken on by a producer who wanted to complete the album as a “pet project”, a new found energy has been uniting the members of Apples - and who knows what a post-lockdown future will hold for this group of Hereford lads.
“The band that launched MY career. Apples are THE reason for BBC Music Introducing. Every band that’s ever been championed by the BBC since owes an enormous debt to these guys.”
Years ago, this group were called Brandon Steep and I used to put a band night on upstairs at The Imperial, in Hereford, on Wednesday nights. Brandon Steep were so good, they become my monthly resident. I loved them!
As I got more involved with the BBC, so did they - becoming one of the last bands to ever be played by the late great John Peel.
In 2009, the renamed Apples signed a publishing deal with Universal. A single, Reason 45, was released the same year and immediately became BBC Radio 6 Music's Single of the Week and Q Magazine's Track of the Day.
Next year’s follow-up release, Theo, became an earworm for gamers all over the globe when it featured on Pro Evolution Soccer 2011.
And then, on the eve of a make-or-break European tour, their lead singer left. Despite quickly finding a new singer, the momentum had been lost.
The band went their separate ways and a hard drive full of some of the most joyous, heart-felt and danceable guitar pop recorded this millennium was left to gather dust. Until now...
Having been taken on by a producer who wanted to complete the album as a “pet project”, a new found energy has been uniting the members of Apples - and who knows what a post-lockdown future will hold for this group of Hereford lads.
“The band that launched MY career. Apples are THE reason for BBC Music Introducing. Every band that’s ever been championed by the BBC since owes an enormous debt to these guys.”
#4: Camden Cox - Healing
We’ve been keeping our eye on Redditch’s Camden Cox for a few years now, who's been consistently releasing vocally perfect dance beats.
In these last few months, her career has skyrocketed - working with music producers all over the world, including Weobley’s 220 Kid!
She now got more than 35 million Spotify streams to her name, and counting.
Most recently, Camden’s been working alongside Joel Corry, Dimension, Wilkinson, Naughty Boy, Example, Karen Harding, Headhunterz, Rui Da Silva as well laying down some vocals at the world famous Abbey Road Studios.
“The most euphoric epic tracks to lose yourself to. Expect to hear this in some of the biggest clubs in the world”
In these last few months, her career has skyrocketed - working with music producers all over the world, including Weobley’s 220 Kid!
She now got more than 35 million Spotify streams to her name, and counting.
Most recently, Camden’s been working alongside Joel Corry, Dimension, Wilkinson, Naughty Boy, Example, Karen Harding, Headhunterz, Rui Da Silva as well laying down some vocals at the world famous Abbey Road Studios.
“The most euphoric epic tracks to lose yourself to. Expect to hear this in some of the biggest clubs in the world”
#5: Mazen Sly - Baby
Mazen Sly is a DJ based in Redditch who’s originally from Poland.
2020 has been the year where the 36-year producer has started sharing his music with people around the world - and they’re dancefloor bangers!
But that's no wonder when your influences list The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Spinnin' Records and Ultra Music!
“Massive tracks that would work on any dancefloor - anywhere in the world. If Mazen Sly can’t get you dancing, you may need to check your pulse!”
2020 has been the year where the 36-year producer has started sharing his music with people around the world - and they’re dancefloor bangers!
But that's no wonder when your influences list The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Spinnin' Records and Ultra Music!
“Massive tracks that would work on any dancefloor - anywhere in the world. If Mazen Sly can’t get you dancing, you may need to check your pulse!”
#6: Shaun Williams - Close Your Eyes
Not many people can produce this many songs and have them all at top notch quality.
Since the birth of the BBC Music Introducing Uploader in 2010, Worcester’s Shaun Williams has been a constant, having now sent 67 tracks to BBC Hereford & Worcester - the majority have been broadcast or earmaked for airplay.
Shaun’s a DJ, a producer, has run his own record label, club nights in multiple cities and - as it turns out - is a secret producer, who’s been working on different genres, for no credit!
But he’s also written one of our biggest songs of the year.
“Pick a A-list artist. Any artist. Think of all the songs they’ve written. Now add a 0 to it. That’s the kind of output you get from Shaun Williams, which is why he’s firmly in my list”.
Since the birth of the BBC Music Introducing Uploader in 2010, Worcester’s Shaun Williams has been a constant, having now sent 67 tracks to BBC Hereford & Worcester - the majority have been broadcast or earmaked for airplay.
Shaun’s a DJ, a producer, has run his own record label, club nights in multiple cities and - as it turns out - is a secret producer, who’s been working on different genres, for no credit!
But he’s also written one of our biggest songs of the year.
“Pick a A-list artist. Any artist. Think of all the songs they’ve written. Now add a 0 to it. That’s the kind of output you get from Shaun Williams, which is why he’s firmly in my list”.
#7: Black Bear Kiss - Reach Up Higher
Black Bear Kiss have been a constant on the music scene for the past four years.
With every release, their songwriting and production prowess has hit new levels - creating more and more opportunities for this five-piece who are scattered across the Midlands, including here in Worcester.
In 2019, they joined us on stage at Digbeth, Birmingham, to launch the Peaky Blinders Festival - and 2020 saw them working with Gavin Monaghan at Magic Garden Studios, who pulled out all the stops to create a razor-sharp sound of drive and energy.
With influences including Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Black Keys, Jack White, Kasabian, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Queens Of The Stone Age and Foo Fighters, Andrew Marston described them as having “one of the phattest rock sounds coming out of the Midlands right now”!
With every release, their songwriting and production prowess has hit new levels - creating more and more opportunities for this five-piece who are scattered across the Midlands, including here in Worcester.
In 2019, they joined us on stage at Digbeth, Birmingham, to launch the Peaky Blinders Festival - and 2020 saw them working with Gavin Monaghan at Magic Garden Studios, who pulled out all the stops to create a razor-sharp sound of drive and energy.
With influences including Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Black Keys, Jack White, Kasabian, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Queens Of The Stone Age and Foo Fighters, Andrew Marston described them as having “one of the phattest rock sounds coming out of the Midlands right now”!
#8: Amberlake - Gold Dust
Nick Tsang set himself a challenge at the start of 2020: to release new music every three weeks, throughout the whole of the year. Most people who do that end up producing run-of-the-mill average-sounding tracks...not Nick!
That's because he's toured the world with acts such as Ed Sheeran, The Ting Tings and Charli XCX, whilst amassing production and songwriting credits with artists such as Jess Glynne and Nina Nesbitt.
The name of his project - Amberlake - came from the Worcester Chinese takeaway that Nick's granddad started when he first arrived in England.
He also worked, for a while, in his father's restaurant - The Four Seasons - which recently closed down because they weren't able to keep the business viable with social distancing in place.
Nick ended up studying at the King's School where he got obsessed with playing the guitar, which led into a full time career in music.
He eventually met vocalist Emma on the London live circuit and immediately something clicked between them.
“Beautiful, haunting and hugely uplifting - the very artist to lift us all out of a year like 2020”.
That's because he's toured the world with acts such as Ed Sheeran, The Ting Tings and Charli XCX, whilst amassing production and songwriting credits with artists such as Jess Glynne and Nina Nesbitt.
The name of his project - Amberlake - came from the Worcester Chinese takeaway that Nick's granddad started when he first arrived in England.
He also worked, for a while, in his father's restaurant - The Four Seasons - which recently closed down because they weren't able to keep the business viable with social distancing in place.
Nick ended up studying at the King's School where he got obsessed with playing the guitar, which led into a full time career in music.
He eventually met vocalist Emma on the London live circuit and immediately something clicked between them.
“Beautiful, haunting and hugely uplifting - the very artist to lift us all out of a year like 2020”.
#9: Lauren Nicole - Barely Breathing
We first discovered Droitwich’s Lauren Nicole making music on her acoustic guitar, back in 2015, which was gaining quite a bit of traction online - so we invited her to switch on Malvern’s Christmas Lights.
Fast forward five years and, after a stint at university, she’s back in Droitwich and her music is now reaching millions of fans worldwide.
In March, she should have been performing in front of thousands at a massive stadium in Japan, supporting the Japanese DJ, DJ Tora.
But that hasn’t stopped Lauren - as she’s since found a career as a JPop and KPop songwriter, who's most recently been teaming up with DJs in Brazil.
Her new single, 'Love It (Sun Goes Down)', has just exceeded one million views on Spotify.
“Not only is she consistently writing massive top line vocals, but her work with international producers means she’s one of the fastest rising stars in our area”.
Fast forward five years and, after a stint at university, she’s back in Droitwich and her music is now reaching millions of fans worldwide.
In March, she should have been performing in front of thousands at a massive stadium in Japan, supporting the Japanese DJ, DJ Tora.
But that hasn’t stopped Lauren - as she’s since found a career as a JPop and KPop songwriter, who's most recently been teaming up with DJs in Brazil.
Her new single, 'Love It (Sun Goes Down)', has just exceeded one million views on Spotify.
“Not only is she consistently writing massive top line vocals, but her work with international producers means she’s one of the fastest rising stars in our area”.
#10: GoodGrief - Worth It
GoodGrief is a bedroom project that happened when Benji and Damo - who live together - started writing some music over lockdown because they were bored!
They used to be in the Stourport band You Know The Drill - and played our BBC Music Introducing showcase as part of the Bewdley Festival several years ago.
Their influences include Blink-182 and Sum 41.
“Great pop punk vibes that make you want to wind your windows down, blast out their tunes and sing like nobody’s listening”.
They used to be in the Stourport band You Know The Drill - and played our BBC Music Introducing showcase as part of the Bewdley Festival several years ago.
Their influences include Blink-182 and Sum 41.
“Great pop punk vibes that make you want to wind your windows down, blast out their tunes and sing like nobody’s listening”.
Broadcast
- Sun 3 Jan 202118:00BBC Hereford & Worcester
