The 23 for 2023 - Scottish acts tipped to turn heads this year

Whether a habitual gig-goer or playlist aficionado, 2023 will be a fine year for anyone harbouring an inclination for discovery.

READ MORE: The Weekender's 22 for 2022

READ MORE: The Weekender's 21 for 2021

Every year, The Weekender casts a net around for those acts primed to take a step forward over the next 12 months. Many will unveil debut EPs and debut albums, others will get the recognition such releases are due – all in good time.

But for those, looking to catch a glimpse of stars before they make it… the 23 for 2023 would be a damn good place to start.

 

James Liandu

The talented James Liandu could be one to take off in 2023 (Image: N/A)

An incredible talent that is beginning to pick up a bit of deserved recognition. The Dundee man took a major step forward with the release of his latest single Calm last year and supported former Queens of the Stone Age bassist Nick Oliveri.

Check out: Calm 

2023 hopes: A follow-up EP

 

Megan Black

Megan Black should reap the rewards of her work this year (Image: Iain Smith)

We should expect a good few festival bills to feature Megan Black in 2023 – a clear star in the making, ably boosted by her fine band as well. Megan also had Weekender Award nominations falling out of her pockets recently – and it’s hardly surprising with a massive list of ear-catching releases in 2022.

Check out: Deadly Is The Woman (LP)

2023 hopes: Summer festival slots

 

Kohla

New material from Kohla is on the way soon (Image: Rhianonne Stone Creative)

Anticipation is building. Something is afoot. We haven’t had new music from Kohla since 2020 as the artist continues to work on numerous side projects, including her efforts with PopGirlz, but that will all change at the start of February with the release of Sweetest Love.

Check out: Flux EP

Hopes for 2023: New singles, perhaps a follow-up EP

 

VIGILANTI

VIGILANTI exploded onto the scene last year, laying the groundwork for a massive 2023 (Image: N/A)

A band that emerged in 2022 and did so with aplomb. They came out all guns blazing and certainly caught the eye. I can only imagine what they have in store this year. More of the same, we hope.

Check out: Wait For Me at the Back of the Room

Hopes for 2023: More new releases

 

Culann

Culann are back on the scene after a brief spell away (Image: David P Scott Photography)

It had been a while since we’d heard from the lads – but they announced their return in emphatic style last year. They have taken things up a notch or two, to say the least, and we can hardly wait to see what they deliver in the near future.

Check Out: Rovers

2023 hopes: Album #3

 

Box of Trash

Box of Trash are due to release their debut album this year (Image: N/A)

Another Ayrshire export and one sure to intrigue. Having already recorded their debut LP – in Chicago, no less – we certainly know what is in store. But a few festival shows would just be the icing on the cake.

Check out: Here And Now

2023 hopes: Playing the album at festivals

 

The Delgados

The Delgados have already turned heads with their recent tour, but there may well be more to come from them in 2023 (Image: N/A)

Every year, we choose a ‘gimme’ – a band that will definitely make those steps forward, without any shadow of a doubt. The Delgados announced they were back and have already hit the road, playing again for the first time in years. There’s no telling how far they will go this time…

Check out: All You Need is Hate

2023 hopes: It’s got to be another album…

 

Ripley

Ripley were one of the many tremendous new acts to emerge in 2022 (Image: N/A)

Just a wonderful new band to the scene. Very seldom does an act comes to the fore and flick all the switches. They released their debut EP in late November, but I selfishly hold out hope for something new in be revealed in 2023.

Check out: Chapter One EP

2023 hopes: Keep that sweet music coming…

 

Echo Machine

Echo Machine are riding high after a European tour with Placebo (Image: N/A)

After catching their set at Party at the Palace, I had a feeling we’d be seeing a lot more from this tremendous Dundee outfit. All hopes the recent tour with Placebo gets them the attention they deserve. We can’t wait to discover their 2023 offerings.

Check out: The Cage

2023 hopes: New singles or an EP

 

Jasmin Jet

Jasmin Jet has already shown her potential at festival slots last year (Image: Iain Smith)

There are, of course, so many talented young artists coming through at the minute and Jasmin Jet is yet another star in waiting. You certainly don’t win Best Vocalist awards from the Royal Conservatoire every day. And having seen her perform at Vibration Festival, she has all the makings of something special.

Check out: Black Tears Cover (YouTube)

Hopes for 2023: A few singles

 

Iona Zajac

Iona Zajac showcasing her incredible talent while on tour with Shawn James (Image: Iain Smith)

This Edinburgh-based star is a beautifully-raw talent that deserves your ear – a melancholic soundscape to get lost in. Hopefully, her recent tour with Shawn James helped get the word out, but we suspect there is much more to come in 2023.

Check out: Find Her in the Grass EP

Hopes for 2023: A second EP

 

Majesty Palm

Majesty Palm are another fine band to come from 2022 (Image: N/A)

Yet another special act to emerge in 2022 – and yet another which we selfishly want to hear more from in the near future. The four tracks release could be considered an EP, but perhaps a bigger body of work is on the way?

Check out: Side Eye

Hopes for 2023: An EP

 

Anchor Lane

Anchor Lane release their second album this week (Image: N/A)

Well, this will be a year for Anchor Lane. Their debut album Casino was well-regarded, for sure, but a follow-up was always on the cards. The tour is booked; the date is set… Call This A Reality? is on the way and should pave the way for a cracking 2023 for the Glasgow band.

Check out: I Don’t Have Another Soul to Pour

Hopes for 2023: A few festival slots

 

Robin Ashcroft

Robin Ashcroft (performing at Party at the Palace) has a massive 2023 ahead of her (Image: Iain Smith)

Another incredible young talent that is swiftly becoming one of the one-to-watch acts in Scotland. Each time we see the teenager live we are simply blown away. A landmark recent show at King Tut’s is yet another milestone on the road to the top.

Check out: I LUV U

Hopes for 2023: A few more single releases… EP?

 

Sapienn

Has been on the scene for a while now and his work most assuredly deserves more attention than has received thus far. The artist emerged from the metal scene with a more stripped-back sound, laden with power and emotion. A fine performer as well, as evidenced by a wonderful one-man set at Bute Fest. We are expecting a big year for Sapienn.

Check out: Provocateur

Hopes for 2023: Full-band festival slots

 

Plasticine

Plasticine were late on the scene last year, but have set themselves up to turn heads in 2023 (Image: N/A)

Very new on the scene, it has to be said, but the early signs are certainly encouraging. Having turned a few heads with their debut track less than two months ago, we can only see bigger things in sight for 2023.

Check out: DO BAD BOYS GO TO HEAVEN

Hopes for 2023: A few more singles…

 

Steven Young

Steven Young on stage at Vibration Festival 2022 (Image: Iain Smith)

An act so wonderfully strange and pleasantly serene. There is something that hits a little bit different about this man’s material – and his live performances are true to the craft as well. Would love to hear what a larger body of work from this man would sound like.

Check out: Bad Ideas in the Amazon

Hopes for 2023: An EP… maybe a short album?

 

Philomenah

Philomenah already showcased her potential with her debut EP (Image: N/A)

We reckon her 2022 EP was just the beginning and what is to come next will be worth keeping an eye out for. A gifted songwriter, there really is no ceiling for this one. Whether or not we hear a second EP release in 2023 is unclear… we can but hope. A new single is, of course, very close.

Check out: White Dove EP

Hopes for 2023: A follow-up EP?

 

Foreignfox

Foreignfox could release their album in 2023 (Image: N/A)

The sheer anticipation for a Foreignfox album cannot be described. If ever there was a band in the Scottish music scene who will deliver with a full body of work… surely it’s this maverick Fife outfit. We can only hope 2023 is the year – and we suspect it will be.

Check out: Exit Frame

Hopes for 2023: That sweet Foreignfox album

 

TamanFaya

TamanFaya kickstarted their 2023 with the release of their debut EP (Image: Iain Smith)

The debut EP is already with us, with the four-piece kickstarting 2023 on the front foot. Over the next few months, we’d expect to see a bit of a buzz around this band building as they capitalise on a very fine release. A few more singles towards the end of the year would be a huge bonus.

Check out: For the Many, Not the Few

Hopes for 2023: A festival billing or two…

 

Royal Bloom

Royal Bloom released their incredible debut album in late November (Image: N/A)

Some of you haven’t heard the debut album from this fine Ayrshire trio and that’s just not on. Visceral was unveiled at the end of November and the live launch show was a fitting display. The LP should open a few more doors for the band – if there is any justice.

Check out: Dear God

Hopes for 2023: Getting due recognition for Visceral

 

The Naked Feedback

The Naked Feedback are another band likely to take step forward in 2023 (Image: N/A)

This Blantyre outfit have been steadily gaining recognition with a steady stream of releases and we foresee a few more eyes and ears on the quartet in 2023. Their sound has a wide appeal and would be a fine fit on many a festival line-up.

Check out: Bring Me Down

Hopes for 2023: A busy summer festival schedule

 

PG Ciarletta

PG Ciarletta is one to keep an eye on for 2023 (Image: Iain Smith)

This could very well be the year for the Bonnie Toun lad. He has shown his ability to write the odd banger here and there and gives a rousing display on stage. An intriguing 2023 awaits the Fife man, with some new material a must.

Check out: Please Stay

Hopes for 2023: A debut EP