Five live acts you need to experience in 2016

Image: NAO

There's no need for January to be bleak with a flailing stockpile of music wedged up on the horizon. Heading into 2016 we've been putting in the leg work to sift out five amazing acts with a huge year ahead of them.

We're self assured that these are the tour dates you should be desperately looking out for and muscling your way straight to the barrier.  

Aurora 

After lighting up every winter household with that cover of Oasis song 'Half The World Away' on the John Lewis advert, Aurora remained as unknown quantity to many. Hailing from Bergen in Norway, the singer/songwriter's currently at the forefront of a Scandinavian movement currently sweeping the UK.

The stars latest single 'Murder Song (5, 4 ,3 ,2, 1)' boasts her penchant for fizzing synth pop and more delicate piano textures that harbour her simply flawless operatic.     

Blaenavon  

Signed to formidable indie label Trangressive, Blaenavon are a Brighton/Liphook trio punching serious weight on the indie circuit. They interchange rapturous patches that simmer with noodly guitar parts to keep their live audience's piqued for the duration.

The band's cornerstone lies in lead Ben Gregory's all conquering vocal that far exceeds their youthful presence and marks them as band to get in on early while they're still playing the smaller venues. 

Loyle Carner

Having already took to the mic at Glastonbury last year, the South London rapper has already sipped from festival seasons golden cup.

Combining an air tight flow with talon sharp wordplay, his blissed out introductory works signal British rap music has its next unstoppable talent. A sell-out February tour awaits with extra dates already slammed onto its poster.  

NAO 

Holding down the London fort with her expansive pop and post-R&B sound, NAO's taut and soulful voice is one that must be consumed beyond the constraints of headphones.

Crafting avant-garde melodies that accentuate her outstanding vocal, NAO's prospective debut album is one we'd love to be acquainted with when she sets off on a run of tour dates in the Spring.   

Yak

If you're looking for something more abrasive then Yak's penchant for smashing up organs and blaring out rapid-fire psych-rock is bound to rub you up just how you like it.

The trio recently dropped their unrelenting new single 'No' last month and play a handful of dates in February. Note: If your venue of choice is out of action this year then there's a hefty chance Yak fucked up its PA system.   

Read our Ten albums we can't wait to hear in 2016