Reading and Leeds 2017

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that the past year has been nothing short of a whirlwind for Migos. With their brooding trap production and obscenely catchy staccato bars (“raindrop, drop top”, anyone?), the hype around the Georgia group and Culture has been unstoppable, and they're currently the most sought-after hip hop group in the world. Believe the hype (and the memes), and get to the front.

Guernsey’s Alex Crossnan might have come joint fifth on the BBC’s Sound of 2016 shortlist, but the buzz around him has since escalated to the extent that last month’s full-length was one of the most anticipated debuts of 2017 so far. Paying homage to multicultural Britain, his smooth productions mix humid steel drums, lush synths, and trap-style beats with nods to house music. Expect some very special guests during the show.

From Huggy Bear and Blood Red Shoes to Dream Wife and Royal Blood, Brighton has plenty of previous form in producing adored alt-rock acts. If we were punting on a new band to match the successes of the latter, we’d pick Yonaka. Approved by Arctic Monkeys-producer Ross Orton and former tour-partners Drenge and Frank Carter, the quartet combine meaty riffs and slick production with the mesmerising howls of singer Theresa Jarvis.