Welcome to Part 3 of our A–Z artist spotlight. This is The Front Row’s definitive list of 250 artists we believe are going to break out by 2028. Each edition we dig into 10 artists from a different letter of the alphabet, cross-genre, full-spectrum coverage of the most exciting new names in indie, rock, pop, metal, country, folk and beyond.
These aren’t just names on a list, they’re our ones to watch, handpicked because of their distinct sound, unstoppable drive, and growing impact on their scenes. Whether they’re selling out local venues or sitting on unreleased bangers we know will hit, these are the artists shaping the next wave.
Here’s our deep dive into 10 artists beginning with C.
1. CUSP
CUSP’s music feels like a quiet revelation. “Days Now” is a delicate, dreamy indie-pop track that washes over you with emotional weight and a softness that lingers. Their strength lies in subtlety airy vocals, floating guitars, and lyrics that feel both personal and poetic.
Emerging from a lo-fi, bedroom-pop foundation, CUSP takes a more textured approach to songwriting, blending layered production with clean melodies that aren’t afraid to sit in stillness. It’s not music made to shout, it’s music that rewards you for listening closely.
There’s something inherently cathartic about their work, echoing the sonic style of acts like Bon Iver and The Japanese House, but with a distinctly UK indie soul. They’re not just vibey, they’ve got a quietly commanding sense of storytelling. CUSP might not dominate the headlines just yet, but they’re building the kind of cult following that blossoms into something much bigger.
FFO: Phoebe Bridgers, The Japanese House, Sam Fender
Track to Start With: “Days Now”
2. Comforts
Brighton’s Comforts make indie-pop that straddles the line between nostalgic and contemporary. “Lost Your Lover” is a melancholic earworm wrapped in shimmery synth textures, crisp guitar lines, and a top-line vocal that feels born for indie dance floors and bedroom speakers alike.
This isn’t a band trying to reinvent the genre, it’s a band perfecting its mood. There’s a lyrical vulnerability at the heart of what they do, steeped in late-night longing and heartbreak nostalgia. Fans of The 1975 and Pale Waves will feel right at home, but Comforts bring their own regional edge and emotional depth to the formula.
The real power here lies in their dynamics. One moment you’re in a dreamy haze, the next you’re hit with a chorus that lands like a confession. It’s sharp, sentimental, and stylish in equal measure.
FFO: Circa Waves, The Night Café, The 1975
Track to Start With: “Lost Your Lover”
3. Cortney Dixon
Cortney Dixon is building a space of her own in the indie-pop world—somewhere between catharsis and celebration. “Life Goes On” is a quietly triumphant anthem that layers bright guitars over raw, heart-on-sleeve vocals.
There’s a real richness to her delivery, with songwriting that captures moments of uncertainty, healing, and self-discovery without ever sounding heavy-handed. It’s pop music with a backbone, grounded in experience, lit up by optimism.
She draws sonic parallels to artists like Maggie Rogers or HAIM, but there’s something more grounded in her northern roots, a naturalism that cuts through the polish. If “Life Goes On” is your first entry point, expect more hooks, honesty, and empowerment to follow.
Dixon is one of those artists you root for immediately. There’s no gimmick, just great songs and a voice you’ll want to follow.
FFO: HAIM, Florence + The Machine, Stevie Nicks
Track to Start With: “Life Goes On”
4. Cruise Balloon
Cruise Balloon are a tight-knit indie quartet from Glasgow bringing clarity and charisma to the UK’s new wave of guitar bands. Their single “Sixty Minutes Late” captures their signature style, clean, melodic guitar work, crisp rhythms, and vocals that cut right through the noise with emotional precision.
What sets Cruise Balloon apart is how well their lyrics shine. With no haze or studio fluff clouding the message, every word feels intentional. There’s a warmth and wit to their songwriting that lands best live, where their unfiltered charm and chemistry light up the room.
While they carry a classic indie feel, they never sound like a copy. Instead, Cruise Balloon offer a grounded, relatable take on the genre, more pint with your mates than press-shot pretense. With Glasgow’s musical legacy behind them and their own story unfolding, they’re well on their way to wider recognition.
FFO: The Lathums, The View, The Kooks
Track to Start With: “Sixty Minutes Late”
5. Chasing The Fall
Chasing The Fall aren’t here to play it safe. Their track “Headshot” is a full-force statement, crushing guitars, dynamic screams, and melodic choruses that explode from the speakers.
Blending post-hardcore emotion with alt-metal precision, they lean into the cinematic, atmospheric side of heavy music. The result? Something that’s as emotionally resonant as it is technically solid. Lyrically, they don’t shy away from the darker side of the human experience, but always deliver it with purpose and heart.
They’ll appeal to fans of While She Sleeps or Holding Absence, bands that wear their convictions on their sleeves and don’t trade authenticity for polish. Chasing The Fall are part of a new heavy wave that’s thoughtful, intense, and ready to rise.
FFO: Hot Mulligan, Neck Deep, The Story So Far
Track to Start With: “30,000 Feet”
6. The Cases
The Cases deliver that cinematic indie-rock drama that grabs you from the first beat. “Just Like You” is a synth-drenched, arena-ready anthem packed with moody atmosphere, pulsing basslines, and emotionally charged vocals. It’s the kind of track that instantly sounds bigger than the space it’s played in.
While they share sonic DNA with bands like The Killers and White Lies, The Cases have their own brand of intensity. There’s a lyrical honesty and sonic ambition in their music that sets them apart from the average indie band, each song crafted like a chapter in something much bigger.
They manage to walk that fine line between commercial appeal and underground cool, making them equally at home on Spotify playlists and gritty club stages. If you’re into songs that feel like a rush of blood to the head, this is a band to have on your radar.
FFO: The Cribs, Editors, Bloc Party
Track to Start With: “Just Like You”
7. Cheap Suits
Cheap Suits are that no-nonsense, beer-spilled, sweat-drenched kind of indie band that still believe in big riffs and bigger choruses. “Poster” is pure energy, hooky, heartfelt, and built for shouting back at the band in a packed venue.
They channel that timeless British indie sound: jangly guitars, call-and-response vocals, and the kind of lyrical confidence that makes you believe every word. You get the sense they’ve grafted hard to get where they are, and the music shows it.
They’re not trying to reinvent the wheel; they’re making sure it spins faster and hits harder. If you’re looking for the next breakout indie band to follow from the ground up, Cheap Suits should be top of your list.
FFO: The Libertines, Sports Team, Art Brut
Track to Start With: “Poster”
8. Cruz
Cruz are playing in the technicolour space between post-punk, disco, and alt-rock. “Disco Colour Beams” is a kaleidoscope of angular riffs, infectious grooves, and off-kilter synths, blending euphoria and unease in a way that keeps you on your toes.
Their music has urgency, propulsive rhythms meet sharp-edged guitar tones and falsetto vocals that cut right through the mix. It’s chaotic in the best way: smart, stylish, and laced with a kind of restless ambition.
If you like your indie with bite, sweat, and surrealism, Cruz are your new obsession. They’ve got the spirit of late-night chaos bottled into 3-minute bursts.
FFO: The Lathums, Foals, M83
Track to Start With: “Disco Colour Beams”
9. The Cheap Thrills
Liverpool’s The Cheap Thrills are a sharp, melodic indie outfit built for festivals and late-night drives alike. “Codependence” is a punchy, rhythm-driven banger that showcases their knack for groove-heavy guitar lines, tight choruses, and effortless swagger.
They strike a balance between nostalgic indie and forward-thinking songwriting. There’s a breeziness to their sound, but also depth, smartly layered guitars and sharp lyrics that nod to relationships, self-doubt, and everything in between.
Already making waves with support slots and buzz from tastemakers, The Cheap Thrills feel like a band on the cusp of something major. If you’re looking for the next breakout from Merseyside, don’t miss them.
FFO: Maximo Park, Jamie T, Vistas
Track to Start With: “Last Orders”
10. The Corvids
The Corvids deliver a soaring indie/alternative rock sound built around big, anthemic melodies and emotionally charged vocals that bring to mind the grandiosity of U2. Their track “Aurelia” showcases shimmering guitars, expansive production, and a stirring vocal delivery that lifts every lyric into anthemic heights.
With atmospheric layers and driving rhythms, they craft songs that feel both intimate and stadium-ready, blending introspective lyrics with moments designed for communal sing-alongs. The Corvids excel at balancing sweeping soundscapes with tight, hook-laden songwriting, making their music accessible without losing depth.
Their sound will appeal to fans who appreciate indie rock with emotional punch and a sense of scale, bands like Editors and The Killers come to mind alongside their clear U2 influence. Whether playing intimate gigs or larger venues, The Corvids bring a passionate performance that resonates long after the final chord.
FFO: Daughter, Wovenhand, Chelsea Wolfe
Track to Start With: “Aurelia”
Next up: The Letter D. Don’t blink—you might miss your new favourite band.
THE FRONT ROW 
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