The BBC sticks its neck out and predicts success next year for… Chappell Roan

The longlist for the BBC’s Sound Of awards, which compile new artists they believe will break through in the coming year, is out and includes such obscure names as… Chappell Roan and Confidence Man.

If you’re puzzled by their inclusion, you’re not alone. Chappell Roan has already been one of the breakout artists of this year (almost) gone: 2024. Her debut album The Rise and Fall Of A Midwest Princess went to number one and has already gone gold in the UK.

Her two singles Good Luck Babe and Hot To Go have been in the top ten since last spring and she has recently been nominated for six Grammys. She hardly needs the BBC’s belated support.

Meanwhile, Confidence Man has recently released his third album, 3am (La La La). They’ve gradually rallied after the pandemic and have spent the summer wowing UK festival crowds. They hardly need a leg up either.

Confidence Man – I CAN’T LOSE YOU (Official Video) – YouTube
Confidence Man - I CAN'T LOSE YOU (Official Video) - YouTube

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Other names on the list include Ezra Collective and English Teacher who were the last two winners of the Mercury Prize, and Kneecap, the Irish hip-hop sensations who have already released two albums and been the subject of a highly acclaimed film.

The reasons for the existence of all these acts may be a change in the eligibility rules for Sound Of. To qualify now, artists cannot have had more than two UK Top 10 albums or two UK Top 10 singles before 30 September 2024. Previously, artists who have starred on a UK number 1 or 2 album, or with more than two top 10 singles to their name, were not eligible.

You could argue that this accounts for the increasingly slow-burn nature of many artists’ career trajectories these days. Charli XCX has been a presence in British pop since the late Noughties and has only now, on her sixth album, finally broken through to a mass audience. Arguably, Confidence Man are in a similar place now to where Charli was two albums ago: the somewhat ironic position of being a “hipster” pop act that is not yet popular.

Good Neighbors – Home (Lyrics) – YouTube
Good Neighbors - Home (Lyrics) - YouTube

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But still…if Chappell Roan can be included, you wonder what the Sound Of list is really for? Admittedly, there are a few names on the 2025 list who are a long way from success in any meaningful definition of the word in the UK – American singer/guitarist Mk.gee and UK indie rock duo Good Neighbours.

But given that the BBC list compiles the “travelling artists with the best chance of mainstream success” over the next 12 months, you’d have to say at least half of the 11-strong list is set.

The nominees are not actually selected by the BBC themselves, but a panel of more than 180 representatives from the music industry, and musicians including Elton John, the Blessed Madonna and former Sound of nominees Dua Lipa and Jorja Smith. The winner will be announced in the New Year.

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The BBC sticks its neck out and predicts success next year for… Chappell Roan

Kaneb

Kaneb

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