New & Up-And-Coming LGBTQ artists to watch out for
Scroll down and check out all the new and up-and-coming LGBTQ+ artists Skiddle think you need to be listening to!
Last updated: 27th Jun 2024
Originally published: 26th Jun 2024
With the huge LGBTQ+ artists like Chappel Roan, Ethel Cain, and Arlo Parks taking over the biggest stages, to the likes of ROMY, I. Jordan, Sherelle, and more dominating the dance space, queer musicians are showing that they no longer need to conform, or tone down their queerness to thrive.
But whilst those at the top are undoubtedly thriving, we want to take a minute to look at those on the up, both new and ready to break into the spotlight. From artists cross-genre to DJs who are sending clubs into a frenzy, scroll down and check out Skiddle's list of LGBTQ+ artists that need to be on your radar.
Tsatsamis
Tsatsamis is a gay singer-songwriter from London whose oft wild, oft wistful electro-pop has earnt him perennial plaudits, seen him collab with other stunning queer artists like TAAHLIAH, and back in April led to the release of his debut record Our Shame.
On the cusp of truly blowing up, the rest of 2024 is Tsatsamis's time. Go listen, bop along, and have the best time discovering a true new icon of the queer pop space.
Aiden Francis
Yorkshire-born, Manchester-based spinner Aiden Francis is someone you may be aware of if you're clued up on the Mancunian underground scene. But, as a Freak Queer Rave resident, with appearances on live sets like the illustrious Lot Radio in NYC, and a penchant for pumping parties; Aiden is someone any queer raver has to be boogying to.
He's starting to climb up the lineups, so if you see his name around, get yourself down to move.
Hey, Baby
Hey, Baby is someone you may know better as Drag Race UK season four star, Baby. But more recently, their gender and genre-bending brand of queer anthems that blend grungy rage with the newfangled hyper-pop sound is seeing them carve out a unique path in the music industry.
After a huge breakout track 'Theatre!' and three pulsating singles last year, 2024 is set to see Hey, Baby truly break into the ears of all. Watch this space.
Egg On Toast
A Manchester's Not Bad For A Girl resident, Egg on Toast have been honing their fun and radiant sound up North for nearly two years now, supporting big names including AK Sports, Big Ang, Cakes Da Killa, & Grove, and jumping on B2Bs with SYNTAX and Diessa.
From bagging a set at The Warehouse Project, being featured on festival line-ups at No Bounds and Parklife, and regularly tearing up venues around their city, 2024 holds no bounds for Egg On Toast to be flying up lineup posters.
MINOE
MINOE is an alt-pop star out of Canada, who, despite being around for a few years, saw her truly step up the anti in 2023, releasing her debut EP, Bleeding Heart’s Disco, in October. Truly one of her country's most promising purveyors of pop, MINOE fused hefty electronic melodies with a softness of vocal and its moreishly mesmeric.
Go and listen and be part of the collective who can say you were there before she blew up.
Anthony Lexa
After a huge breakout in 2023, starring as Abbi in Season 4 of Netflix's Sex Education - one-half of the season's trans power pair Abbi and Roman (Felix Mufti) - and releasing four tracks including 'Early Nights', 'Sleepy', and a two-track EP with non-other than her onscreen partner Felix Mufti aka bratphase; 2024 and beyond has only an upward trajectory for Anthony Lexa.
A trans icon who aims to create a safe space where people feel seen through her music, and we can't wait to watch such a beautiful thing unfold.
Although by no means new, London queer production duo Elliot and Orny, AKA ‘FAFF’, have been sending live wire pulses through the capital's queer party scene for the past five years, with their diverse and pulsating beats.
From their first release ‘The Last Piglette’ in 2021 to last year's EP Crappy Hardcore, the duo have helped re-energise the hedonistic spaces in London for queer women, non-binary and trans partygoers, and we simply think more people need to know and be shouting about them. We can't wait for more from these two icons.
Having worked with the likes of Lianne La Havas and Doja Cat and toured with an extensive variety of acts, including Rae Morris, Jack Garratt, and Rina Sawayama; Trans multi-instrumentalist Geo Jordan has started putting his own music front and centre.
From his 2023 EP Fathom to his most recent EP Journey, Geo is continually innovating and with such rich and textured electronic soundscapes, it's only a matter of time before more take note. Do yourself a favour, go listen, and breathe in the excellence.
Mel 4Ever
Having started creating music in the same week she started transitioning, Trans hyper-pop star Mel 4Ever's hard and scintillating tracks are inextricably linked with her experience, and explore being a trans woman in a world right now like few others.
Refreshing, fierce, and fearless, Mel 4Ever is on a trailblazing strut to the top, and no one should dare stand in her way.
A for Alpha
Inspired by the 90s Underground, and already having played the likes of Glastonbury, Gottwood, Love Saves The Day, NASS, The Secret Garden Party, and many others; A for Alpha is a sizzling star in the making.
Having forged her sound in the Garage scene under her alias ‘A-Bee’, A For Alpha has a penchant for the rawer Garage sound, but also dabbles in anything that favours the sounds of Hardcore, Rave and Jungle. A true underground gem, if you can catch her live, you won't regret it.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
