If A, B, and C were big shoes to fill, Letter D comes with no pressure, just ten bold artists making their own noise and carving out unique spaces in the music world. From dreamy alt-pop to punk grit, country-pop to cinematic alt-rock, these are the acts whose songs you’ll hear echoes of long before they blow up.
Dovegate
There’s something electric stirring on the banks of the Mersey, and Dovegate are right at the centre of it. This four-piece indie outfit, Jon Cregeen (rhythm guitar), Aaron Timmins (bass), Francis Shea (lead), and Matthew Poole (drums), are living proof that the Liverpool scene is still one of the UK’s most fertile breeding grounds for guitar bands with heart.
Since dropping debut single If We Run Out Of Love, Dovegate have been playing it like pros. That release was christened with a sold-out launch at Kaz Stockroom, followed by a slot supporting Britpop royalty CAST the very same weekend, not a bad way to open your account. They’ve since backed up the hype with a string of hometown sell-outs and support shows with Jamie Webster, proving that their sound isn’t just sticking, it’s spreading.
Musically, they keep things big, bold, and melodic. Their latest single Brand New Day is a roaring, riff-driven crowd-pleaser that nods to indie’s golden years while still sounding fresh and relevant. It’s the kind of tune that you hear once and instinctively know you’ll be screaming back at the barrier in a year’s time.
They’ve got the energy, the fanbase, and the tunes, and if they keep moving at this pace, Dovegate won’t be just Liverpool’s next big thing, they’ll be everyone’s.
Start With: If We Run Out Of Love
FFO: The Lathums, The K’s, The Sherlocks
The Deep Blue
Manchester trio The Deep Blue write songs that sound like they’ve lived a thousand lives. Rooted in rich three-part harmonies and delicate storytelling, their music floats somewhere between indie-folk and alt-pop, steeped in melancholy but often defiant in tone. It’s music for walking home alone and feeling everything at once.
Where many bands in their orbit lean into lo-fi or vague lyricism, The Deep Blue embrace clarity, every line, every hook, every harmony is purposeful. Jealous Sea, their standout track to date, builds slowly but cuts deep, a stirring meditation on jealousy, self-worth and navigating emotional depth with poise.
They share a spiritual lineage with The Staves, and there’s an undeniable boygenius quality in their collaborative spirit, but they also channel the homespun grit of Big Thief. It’s the kind of songwriting that makes you want to call your best friend and tell them everything’s going to be OK.
What sets them apart is the balance they strike, melancholy without self-pity, hope without cliché. Their sound is both intimate and expansive, easily translatable to dimly lit rooms or festival stages alike. There’s a maturity here that’s rare in bands still this early in their journey.
If the past few years have seen a revival in harmony-driven indie, The Deep Blue feel like the scene’s next evolution, more grounded, more honest, and ready to take centre stage.
FFO: The Staves, Flyte, First Aid Kit
Start With: How About It
Dog Race
There’s a feverish intensity that clings to every Dog Race release, angular, emotional, and unafraid to sprawl into darker sonic corners. The London-based art-rock outfit are one of the capital’s most distinctive emerging acts, combining post-punk dissonance with cinematic swells and a lyrical sharpness that cuts deeper the more you listen.
Their sound lives in the shadows, haunted synth lines, icy guitar flashes, and an undercurrent of dread that never feels performative. You get the sense Dog Race are less interested in trend-hopping and more drawn to crafting immersive experiences, where atmosphere takes precedence over immediacy. At times, they echo the existential dread of early Interpol or the sonic ambition of Black Country, New Road, but there’s a clarity to Dog Race’s arrangements that sets them apart, noisy but never messy, dark but never indulgent.
Lead vocalist Charlie’s delivery is striking: half-spoken, half-snarled, always charged with meaning. The band’s most-played track, It’s The Squeeze That Kills, is a swirling five-minute descent into claustrophobia, paced like a short film. The tension builds and collapses with cathartic precision, coated in synth fuzz, but anchored by mechanical drums and guttural bursts of energy.
Dog Race won’t be for everyone, and that’s the point. Their niche is carved from discomfort, their impact felt slowly, song by song. But for those tuned into their wavelength, this band offers a deeply rewarding listen. Their sound feels sculpted for sweaty late-night sets in tiny rooms, but their ambition points far beyond.
Start With: Return The Day
FFO: Dry Cleaning, Protomartyr, Talk Show
Dump Babes
If glitter-covered garage rock and chaotic charisma had a lovechild, Dump Babes would be it. Formed in 2019 in Saskatoon, this psych-pop punk outfit delivers hooks soaked in scuzz, wrapped in charm, and blasted through amps turned all the way up. Led by the magnetic Aurora Wolfe, the band takes no prisoners, whether you’re a garbage-eating seagull or a scene-sceptic lurking at the back of the venue.
Equal parts flamboyant and ferocious, Dump Babes walk the tightrope between pop sensibility and sonic destruction. Their 2024 record proved they’re more than a fringe curiosity. Singles like Citronette hit with an irreverent edge and unapologetic power, blending riot grrrl energy with thick psych textures and earworm riffs. Wolfe’s vocals are siren-call strong, dragging you straight into the fray whether you’re ready or not.
They’re not just buzzworthy on record, they’re becoming a Canadian live staple. With festival slots at Reeperbahn, NXNE, BreakoutWest, M for Montreal, and Sled Island, Dump Babes are exporting the sound of the Prairies to the global garage underground. And it’s not just novelty, they were named Saskatchewan’s Rock Artist of the Year in 2025 for good reason.
Through their unpolished charm and swaggering attitude, Dump Babes manage to be both a total mess and perfectly on-point, a chaotic good in human form. And most importantly, they know how to have fun while flipping the whole thing on its head.
Start With: Citronette
FFO: Cherry Glazerr, Wolf Alice, Le Tigre
Dirtsharks
If violin-fuelled post-rock chaos sounds like your kind of therapy, meet Dirtsharks, one of the UK’s most electrifying under-radar bands with a live show that borders on spiritual. Combining jagged alt-rock urgency with textured instrumentals, they don’t just play gigs, they detonate them.
Their calling card is contrast. One minute, they’re crashing through distortion-heavy breakdowns, the next they’re soothing you with sweeping violin solos that feel lifted straight out of a cinematic climax. It’s dramatic, visceral and unexpectedly beautiful. Tracks like Love You More capture this perfectly, moments of near-ambient stillness erupting into thunderclaps of sound and emotion.
While comparisons to The National and Biffy Clyro make sense stylistically, Dirtsharks are carving their own unpredictable path, sonically sprawling and emotionally relentless. There’s a sincerity at the heart of their music, something that avoids the traps of genre gimmickry. They’re not being different for the sake of it, they’re building something that feels entirely theirs.
Two UK tours deep and armed with growing support from tastemakers and festival bookers alike, the band’s appearances at The Great Escape and Boardmasters are just the tip of the iceberg. They’re the kind of band that leave you wondering how they’re not already huge, and it’s only a matter of time.
Dirtsharks have a wildness that feels earned, and a scope that hints at longevity. Whether they’re blowing minds in a basement or commanding a festival crowd, this is a band in the middle of their moment.
Start With: Wasted Time
FFO: Biffy Clyro, The National, Demob Happy
Danny Mellin
Emerging from the Oxford indie scene, Danny Mellin has rapidly built a reputation as a compelling new voice with infectious energy and emotional honesty. Backed by his tight-knit band of longtime friends, Mellin crafts songs that resonate deeply with listeners navigating the joys and struggles of young adulthood. His lyrics feel genuine and relatable, a breath of fresh air for a generation looking for realness in a sea of polished pop.
The past 18 months have been a whirlwind for Mellin. He’s completed three UK headline tours, stepped onto European stages for the first time, and dropped a critically praised new EP that’s earning him nods from BBC Introducing Oxfordshire & Berkshire among others. His live performances are particularly noteworthy, electrifying and charged with a raw, joyful presence that immediately draws in audiences.
Songs like Same Again highlight Mellin’s knack for combining catchy indie rock hooks with anthemic choruses, balancing upbeat rhythms with thoughtful storytelling. He’s not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve while delivering an infectious celebration of good times and the messiness of growing up.
With more releases and live dates already lined up, Danny Mellin is primed to become a staple in the UK indie circuit. His blend of youthful exuberance and grounded songwriting creates a compelling package, one that’s already winning over both critics and fans.
Start With: Same Again
FFO: The Vaccines, Blossoms, Catfish and the Bottlemen
Dirty Blonde
Manchester’s Dirty Blonde are an indie-rock force to be reckoned with, combining punchy guitar riffs, grunge-tinged alt-rock, and fiery vocals. Comprised of Ailis MacKay and Hayley Tait, the band’s dynamic sound captures the raw edge of ’90s rock while injecting a fresh punk twist that keeps listeners hooked.
Known for their high-energy live shows, Dirty Blonde have graced stages at major festivals including Isle of Wight, The Great Escape, Truck, Y Not, and NBHD. Their powerful performances reflect the intensity and urgency woven through their music. Tracks like Run When I Tell You showcase their knack for catchy hooks fused with gritty, heartfelt lyrics that touch on love, chaos, and rebellion.
Their DIY approach adds to their authenticity, from self-produced music videos to acclaimed live sessions, they maintain control over their creative output and connect with fans on their own terms. Songs from their EP Looking for Trouble reveal a band confident in their sound, blending influences from Kings of Leon, Pixies, and Billie Eilish to create a distinctive alt-rock identity.
Dirty Blonde’s music balances polished songwriting with rough edges, offering listeners a perfect blend of nostalgia and contemporary bite. Their energetic, gritty sound and relatable themes make them a band to watch as they continue to build momentum across the UK and beyond.
Start With: Checkmate
FFO: Kings of Leon, Pixies, Nothing But Thieves
The Denabys
South Yorkshire’s industrial heartland has long been fertile ground for music that’s raw, honest, and full of grit. The Denabys fit perfectly into this lineage, emerging from Denaby, a former mining town near Doncaster, this four-piece is forging a new path with their distinctive blend of indie rock rooted in the region’s working-class spirit.
Formed in 2021, the band features brothers Niall Ogley (vocals/guitar) and Declan Ogley (bass), alongside Jack Fletcher (lead guitar) and Calum Green (drums). Together they channel the legacy of South Yorkshire music legends, from Heaven 17 and ABC to the Artic Monkeys, all while injecting their own youthful energy and modern outlook.
Their sound is a compelling mix of jangly guitars, driving rhythms, and thoughtful lyrics that reflect life’s ups and downs in a post-industrial landscape. Tracks like Switchblade demonstrate their ability to balance catchy hooks with a darker, introspective edge, perfectly capturing the mood of a town evolving from coal and steel to digital horizons.
The Denabys have quickly earned attention for their engaging live performances and honest songwriting. They embody a fresh wave of musicians rooted in a strong sense of place, carrying forward the rich cultural heritage of South Yorkshire while pushing boundaries.
With growing support from local scenes and an expanding fanbase, The Denabys are poised to become a significant name in UK indie rock, a band grounded in tradition but looking firmly to the future.
Start With: Geronimo
FFO: Arctic Monkeys, The Reytons, The Dylans
Dopamine
Out of Brisbane’s sticky-floored house parties and back-garden bacchanalia comes Dopamine, a band that captures the hedonism of youth and the haze of a good night out you’ll never fully remember. Formed at Queensland University of Technology and bonded over Britpop bangers, fried circuits, and fuzz pedals, the five-piece blend nostalgic indie-pop charm with a darker, dirtier edge.
New single Someone is a defining moment for the band, a track born out of a failed attempt to write a Bloc Party anthem that instead ended up sounding “like The Smiths on steroids.” It’s loaded with weighty bass, turbo-charged guitar riffs and a vocal delivery that wavers between longing and mania. Beneath the big hooks, there’s real emotional grit.
Dopamine aren’t interested in polish for polish’s sake. Someone was self-recorded in their own Woolloongabba studio, mastered by Ball Park Music’s Alex L’Estrange, and even features a borrowed ‘69 P-Bass from Powderfinger’s JC. The result is raw, real, and completely addictive, like the kind of night that starts with cheap beer and ends with a story no one can quite piece together.
Live, they’ve already shared stages with Feeder, Spacey Jane, and The Rions, building a fanbase through unfiltered energy and one hell of a good time. With more new material on the way and their sound growing richer by the month, Dopamine are set to become the next Brisbane export to shake things up beyond Australia’s borders.
If you like your indie-pop with grit under its nails and glitter on its face, this is your band.
Start With: Hurts Like Heaven
FFO: Bloc Party, The Smiths, Spacey Jane
The Draize
From the atmospheric undercurrent of South London’s fuzzed-out guitar scene comes The Draize, a band built for dusk-lit daydreams and shoegaze wall-of-sound. Their track It’s Coming On is a murky, swirling masterpiece, a track that builds and crashes like a wave of distortion, guided by a melodic bassline that’s as hypnotic as it is powerful.
The Draize don’t rush. Their songs unravel patiently, teasing out textures and tones from every chord, calling to mind the controlled chaos of Sonic Youth and the narcotic haze of Spacemen 3. There’s an early-90s Northern flavour to it too, think Adorable or even The Verve before the string sections.
Four singles deep, and it’s already clear The Draize are serious contenders in the shoegaze resurgence currently bubbling beneath the surface.
Start With: It’s Coming On
FFO: The Verve, Ride, Sonic Youth
From fuzzy chaos to folk harmonies, Letter D reminds us just how far the edges of alternative music can stretch. These ten artists aren’t chasing trends — they’re building worlds, shaping scenes, and giving us a glimpse into the future of live music. Whether you’re discovering them in a tiny venue or through a headphone daydream, now’s the time to get in early. Letter E? You better believe we’re already digging through it.
THE FRONT ROW 
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