IMPALA is launching a new programme to boost diversity in the European independent music sector in partnership with YouTube. “100 Artists to Watch” will put the spotlight on key independent artists across Europe. A new set of participating artists will be announced each Spring. This new programme replaces IMPALA’s annual European Independent Album of the Year Award, which had a great roll of 10 years.
Curated by IMPALA’s members and its broader network, 100 Artists to Watch is designed to highlight artists at different stages in their career. Members are free to propose artists based on various factors such as diversity and innovation, as well as commercial success.
IMPALA’s very first list includes artists from 30 different countries and features more than 30 music genres, from Blues-Stoner to Hip-Hop, Jazz to Dance, Hyperpop to Alternative Rock… 100 great European independent artists to look out for this year. Hit play to embark on an amazing musical journey here and discover the complete list of artists below.
Helen Smith, Executive Chair, IMPALA commented: “IMPALA’s remit is to boost diversity across Europe, so it’s great to be introducing this new programme with YouTube. The idea is to help shine a light on the range of talent the independent sector works with in Europe.”
Dan Chalmers from YouTube added: “The independent sector is a key partner for YouTube and we are really excited about our collaboration with IMPALA on 100 Artists to Watch in Europe. YouTube gives creators and artists a platform to reach the world and enables them to get noticed across borders”.
100 Artists to Watch (by alphabetical order by artist/record label/country):
- /A\ – Hummus records – Switzerland
- 21 vek – Password Production – North Macedonia
- A Garota Não – Self-released – Portugal
- AJ Tracey – Revenge Records – The UK
- Alejas – Self-released – Latvia
- Amelie Siba – Self-released /Teargarten distributed by Warner – Czech Republic
- Annet X – Self-released – Czech Republic
- Arlo Parks – Transgressive Records – The UK
- Bad Daughter – LAA – Croatia
- Balstyrko – Fake Diamonds Records – Denmark
- Besides – Self-released – Poland
- Blanks – Excited About Music – The Netherlands
- Blind Channel – BloodBros Oy under exclusive licence to Century Media Records Ltd – Finland
- Brodka – PIAS recordings – Poland
- Buč Kesidi – Kontra – Serbia
- Camille – CNR Records – Belgium
- Cem Adrian – PASAJ & GARAJ distributed by Sony – Turkey
- Circus Mircus – Stockton Records – Georgia
- CMAT – CMATBABY under exclusive licence to AWAL – Ireland
- Coez – Carosello Records – Italy
- Coma Cose – Asian Fake – Italy
- Danger Dan – Antilopen Geldwäsche – Germany
- Denise Chaila – Narolane – Ireland
- Dubioza kolektiv – Menart – Bosnia and Hercegovina
- Eesah Yasuke – Banzaï Lab – France
- El Kanka – A Volar Music – Spain
- Erekle Getsadze – FEB15TH – Georgia
- Evelinn Trouble – Evelinn Trouble/Mouthwatering records – Switzerland
- Ezhel – Koal Arts / Noah’s Ark – Turkey
- Ferran Palau – Hiddentrack records – Spain
- Florence Arman – Self-released distributed by AWAL – Austria
- FO SHO – Best Music LLC – Ukraine
- good job nicky – Cobalt Music Helladisc – Greece
- Gurt [O] – Masterskaya – Ukraine
- Hellwana – Ty Nikdy Label distributed by Warner – Czech Republic
- Hilma Nikolaisen – Self-released under licence to Fysisk Format – Norway
- Ifi Ude – Self-released – Poland
- Jesse Markin – Jesse Markin under exclusive licence to VILD Music Oy – Finland
- Kabloonak – Tilto Namai – Lithuania
- Karmento – El Tragaluz Records – Spain
- Kira Skov – Stunt Records/Sundance Records – Denmark
- Koala Voice – Nika Records – Slovenia
- KOIKOI – Moonlee Records – Serbia
- Kojaque – Soft Boy Records under licence to PIAS – Ireland
- L’impératrice – Microqlima – France
- La Rappresentante di Lista – Woodworm Music – Italy
- Lelee – Moonlee Records – Slovenia
- Linda Fredriksson – We Jazz – Finland
- Linn Koch-Emmery – Boys Tears – Sweden
- Little Simz – Age 101 under licence to AWAL – The UK
- Love ‘n’ Joy – Self-released – Ukraine
- Lucia – Overground Music – Romania
- Maan – 8ball Music – The Netherlands
- MAD (Mars and Daemons) – Self-released – Romania
- Madame – Sugar – Italy
- Marčelo – Lampshade Media – Serbia
- Marja Mortensson – VEADTA – Norway
- Mart Hoogkamer – NRGY Music – The Netherlands
- Masha Qrella – Staatsakt Rec. GmbH – Germany
- Mavi Phoenix – LLT Records – Austria
- Maxida Märak – Snafu Records – Sweden
- Melek Mosso – Piu Sound / Kalan Muzik – Turkey
- Miguel Araújo – Estúdio Chiu – Portugal
- Mira Lu Kovacs – Play Dead Records – Austria
- Lee & IvaneSky – Dallas Records – Croatia
- Muthoni Drummer Queen – Irascible Music / Yotanka Records – Switzerland
- Namasenda – PC Music – Sweden
- Nekromantheon – INDIE RECORDINGS – Norway
- Nesen – Self-released – Latvia
- Nicu Alifantis – Alifantismusic – Romania
- Nivva – Bad Names Records – Czech Republic
- Noga Erez – City Slang – Germany
- Nova Twins – Marshall Records – The UK
- Nunki Bay Starship – Grapefruit Moon Records – Hungary
- O Gajo – Rastilho Records – Portugal
- Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp – Bongo Joe Records – Switzerland
- OrelSan – Wagram Music – France
- Pillow queens – Self-released – Ireland
- Rina Sawayama – Dirty Hit Records – The UK
- Savages y Suefo – Mana Mana Records – Hungary
- School of X – Tambourhinoceros – Denmark
- SEIVA – Repasseado – Portugal
- Sharktank – Ink Music – Austria
- Siri Neel – Empress Music – Denmark
- Smith & Thell – Playground Music Scandinavia – Sweden
- Snelle – ROQ ‘N Rolla Music – The Netherlands
- Sofia Portanet – Duchess Box Records – Germany
- Stoned Hedge – Password Production – North Macedonia
- Suistamon Sähkö – Nordic Notes – Finland
- SYNONYMS – Pluto Sound – Hungary
- TAMADA – Souq Records – Georgia
- The Liminanas and Laurent Garnier – Because Music – France
- Urban & 4 – Croatia Records – Croatia
- Vianney – Tôt ou tard – France
- Voodoocat – Hebra Records – Belgium
- Whispering Sons – PIAS Recordings – Belgium
- Woodstock Barbie – NOW Books & Music – Hungary
- Ykons – Blue Milk/T4A / Check Check Productions – Belgium
- Yüksek Sadakat – Doğan Müzik Yapım – Turkey
- Zahara – G.O.Z.Z. RECORDS – Spain
Read more about these artists on their dedicated webpage here.
Listen to them here (all 100) or check out our genre playlists instead:
