MJF Spotlight: 20 artists to watch in 2024

It’s now a tradition here: we present to you 20 emerging artists who are expected to make a sensation in 2024! Our programming team has once again put together a great list of discoveries reflecting various current trends, spanning across all styles.

Several artists from this list will be invited to participate in Spotlight events throughout the year, including this summer at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Among the twenty artists selected last year, several have since performed at the MJF, including Stacey Ryan, Ethan Bortnick, Gayle, Ekkstacy, Lovejoy, The Doug, and Overmono.

ELMIENE (UK)

THE TRANQUIL FORCE OF UK SOUL

• Our bookers love him because… “His velvety voice left a lasting impression on us from his early cover videos posted on social media. Since then, his songwriting talent has made him a complete artist, both a poet and a singer, leading him to collaborate with Stormzy, BADBADNOTGOOD, or Sampha. His smooth and delicate compositions have a timeless quality, evoking several decades of soul and R’n’B, from Stevie Wonder to Craig David and D’Angelo.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… soul and R’n’B.
• We can picture him at the MJF opening for… Cleo Sol.

JULIA ALEXA (CH)

SAD POP MADE IN SWITZERLAND

• Our bookers love her because… “The ‘sad pop’ music of this young artist from Zurich has deeply resonated with us. It reminds us of another Swiss artist, Kings Elliot, whom we included in the 2022 Spotlight list. Julia Alexa has collaborated with several international artists and has built a genuine community around her music, being streamed from Berlin to Sydney. We are excited to follow the rest of her career.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… alternative pop.
• We can picture her at the MJF opening for… Tate McRae.

TYLA (ZA)

WHEN AMAPIANO INFUSES AFRICAN POP

• Our bookers love her because… “After the wave of Nigerian Afrobeats, South Africa could be the next reservoir of global pop stars. We talked to you last year about amapiano, a highly percussive sub-genre of South African deep house. Young singer Tyla has found her own style by merging typical amapiano sounds with R’n’B vocal melodies inspired by her heroines Aaliyah and Rihanna. Her hit ‘Water,’ with a choreography that went viral on TikTok, is a perfect example.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… a mix of R’n’B, amapiano and pop.
• We can picture her at the MJF opening for… Tems.

THEE SACRED SOULS (US)

THE SOUL TRIO BLENDING MODERN WITH RETRO

• Our bookers love them because… “We’ve been following them for a while now. The band has signed with the famous label Daptone, and its co-founder produced their album. There’s this soulful and retro essence in their music that resonates well today. Similar to Black Pumas or the Teskey Brothers, they manage to project the soul influences of the 60s and 70s into a unique and modern proposition. Their single ‘Can I Call You Rose?’ is a little gem.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… soul.
• We can picture them at the MJF opening for… Black Pumas

YAMÊ (FR/CM)

“SANS CARATS, SANS CHICO, IL FAIT TOMBER LES GRANDS”

• Our bookers love him because… “It’s often said about an artist that their music is unique. But truly, Yamê’s style is indefinable, moving from trap to jazz, from soul to pop. On the vocal side, it’s otherworldly, playing with various tones and techniques. Yamê is also an excellent pianist and jazz improviser. To top it off, he attracts an extremely diverse audience. We’re sure he’s going to make a lot of noise in 2024.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… a new blend of pop, trap and soul.
• We can picture him at the MJF opening for… Sampha.

BARRY CAN’T SWIM (UK)

AN IRRESISTIBLE URGE TO DANCE IN THE SUN

• Our bookers love him because… “With sold-out shows in every club he visits, we took a closer look and were captivated. His skillful blend of house, jazz, and afrobeats makes his music extremely catchy, joyful, and euphoric. It’s the perfect thing to listen to for bringing a bit of sunshine into this winter season and to ignite festivals this summer. He reminds us of Fred again, and we can only wish him the same success.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… electronic music.
• We can picture him at the MJF opening for… Fred Again.

SEKOU (UK)

ENGLAND’S NEW R’N’B PRODIGY

• Our bookers love him because… “His voice is truly incredible. He leaves no one indifferent, and his performance on ‘Better Man’ is spine-chilling. In the music industry, it’s a success story like we rarely see: he was booked for Glastonbury 2023 with just one song, and the entire scene is talking about him as the next big thing. At only 19 years old and with only 6 tracks produced, everything is happening for him now, and 2024 will undoubtedly be the year of his emergence to the general public.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… R’n’B and pop.
• We can picture him at the MJF opening for… Giveon

STEPHEN SANCHEZ (US)

BACK TO THE FIFTIES

• Our bookers love him because… “His songs have a rare quality: it’s as if they have always existed. His hit ‘Until I Found You’ feels like an old American classic, even though it was written by a young artist born in 2001. Stephen Sanchez’s passion for the fifties and sixties comes from his grandparents, with whom he used to listen to Roy Orbison, Elvis, or Sinatra. A retro style that is booming on TikTok and one that he fully embraces, from the aesthetics of his music videos to the concept of his debut album.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… a mix of vintage styles, between rock’n’roll, doo-wop, soul and pop.
• We can picture him at the MJF opening for… Laufey.

PESO PLUMA (MX)

THE SOUND OF MEXICO BETWEEN TRADITION AND MODERNITY

• Our bookers love him because… “He is one of the flagship artists of Corridos Tumbados, a fusion of Mexican ballads and hip-hop. Much like Rosalía with flamenco, Peso Pluma appropriates the sounds that shaped his childhood to bring them into the present. On stage, he never sings over a backing track, preferring to surround himself with acoustic guitars and brass instruments. Praised by Bad Bunny, Peso Pluma is convinced: the sound of Mexico will follow the trajectory of reggaeton in the charts worldwide.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… a cocktail of different latin sounds, including corridos tumbados.
• We can picture him at the MJF opening for… Karol G.

KENYA GRACE (UK/ZA)

THE NEW HEIR OF DRUM’N’BASS

• Our bookers love her because… “She is one of the new sensations of the drum’n’bass revival, popularized on social media by PinkPantheress among others. Like the latter, Kenya Grace records everything from her bedroom and brings a songwriting dimension to the genre, making her tracks as catchy as a pop song. Her hit ‘Strangers’ became the first number one single on the UK charts entirely produced by a woman since Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill.'”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… drum’n’bass.
• We can picture her at the MJF opening for… PinkPantheress.

THE LAST DINNER PARTY (UK)

A GIRLS’ BAND COMING TO THE RESCUE OF ROCK

• Our bookers love them because… “We were blown away during their concert at Lisztomania! Their baroque art-rock songs take on another dimension live with their theatrical presence and gothic aesthetics. The five-woman band formed during university and worships David Bowie and romantic literature. Much is expected from their debut album, produced by James Ford (Gorillaz, Arctic Monkeys…).”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… indie rock.
• We can picture them at the MJF opening for… Boygenius.

GRACIE ABRAMS (US)

THE NEW GEM OF AMERICAN POP

• Our bookers love her because… “We went to see her in Zurich last October for her very first concert in Switzerland. The enthusiastic crowd knew all the lyrics by heart; there was incredible energy and authentic soul. Over the past two years, she opened for Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift. Like thousands of others, we were captivated by her debut album. There’s a reassuring and nostalgic aspect to her bedroom pop that feels comforting. Today, she’s nominated for the Grammy Awards. Needless to say, her career is secured.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… pop music.
• We can picture her at the MJF opening for… Madison Beer

VICTOR RAY (UK/UG)

FROM THE STREETS OF LONDON TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS

• Our bookers love him because… “We would have loved to bump into him on Piccadilly Circus! Like everyone else, we discovered him on social media with his videos of busking performances. He has a power and a warm tone in his voice that pierces through the screen. On his socials, you can catch a few snippets of his upcoming single announced on January 10th, and it promises to be on repeat.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… soul and pop.
• We can picture him at the MJF opening for… Rag’n’Bone Man.

RENEÉ RAPP (US)

SHINING ON SCREEN, BRILLIANT ON STAGE

• Our bookers love her because… “Some already know her for her role in the HBO series ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls,’ and others will discover her in January in the remake of ‘Mean Girls’. But more than her acting talent, it’s primarily her rock energy and pop melancholy that have captivated us. Before going solo, she treaded the stages of Broadway, which gives her great command of the stage. She has something reminiscent of Maisie Peters and Gayle, whom we love.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… pop music.
• We can picture her at the MJF opening for… Taylor Swift.

HEMLOCKE SPRINGS (US)

THE VIRAL SUCCESS OF DELIGHTFULLY ECCENTRIC EIGHTIES POP

• Our bookers love her because… “Her music is a surprising blend of various pop sounds. A long-time fan of K-pop, she later developed a passion for ’80s groups like Depeche Mode and Tears For Fears. Her hit ‘Girlfriend’ unexpectedly became a success on TikTok, turning into an ‘awkward Black girl anthem.’ Her expressive voice, quirky lyrics, and distinctive synthetic productions often draw comparisons to artists such as Grimes, Kate Bush, or even Prince.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… alternative pop.
• We can picture her at the MJF opening for… Caroline Polacheck.

SAINT HARISON (UK)

THE NEW VOICE OF BRITISH R’N’B

• Our bookers love him because… “His first EP, which includes the hit ‘Ego Talking,’ immediately captivated us. There’s his voice, of course, truly unique and full of mastery, but also deep lyrics and beautiful productions blending elements of soul, R’n’B, and even jazz. One can feel all his different influences, from Motown to Adele.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… R’n’B.
• We can picture him at the MJF opening for… Sam Smith.

ROMY (UK)

AFTER THE XX, A SOLO CAREER WITH STRONG SUPPORT

• Our bookers love her because… “After several years with the trio The xx, Romy Madley Croft launched her solo electro-pop project. Her first super-catchy singles had already convinced us to invite her to the Auditorium Stravinski last summer. Since then, she has released her debut album produced by Fred Again and Stuart Price (producer for Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Dua Lipa…) and received a Grammy Awards nomination.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… dance-pop.
• We can picture her at the MJF opening for… Fred Again.

DYLAN GOSSETT (US)

COUNTRY WAVE

• Our bookers love him because… “Country music is finding its audience in Europe thanks to a new generation of artists like Dylan Gossett. Without filter or pretension, he sings vulnerable cowboy lyrics with his gravelly voice and acoustic guitar. A few chords, an old violin, or a harmonica, and you feel like camping in the desert with him. Dylan is embarking on his very first headlining tour in 2024.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… country.
• We can picture him at the MJF opening for… Zach Bryan et Kacey Musgraves.

METTE (US)

PHARRELL’S DANCER TURNED SINGER

• Our bookers love her because… “Mette has a complete and unconventional artistic journey. She began her career as a dancer, notably seen in the ‘Lemon’ music video by N.E.R.D and Rihanna. She then made some film appearances, including in Barbie. Her debut single released in 2023, ‘Mama’s Eyes,’ shook up all the clubs in the United Kingdom. It’s the music of a dancer, it’s sensual, made for moving the body.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… a mix of pop and R’n’B.
• We can picture her at the MJF opening for… Jessie Ware.

CLARA YSÉ (FR)

THE LYRICAL UNIVERSE OF A GREAT FRENCH VOICE

• Our bookers love her because… “She has one of the most beautiful voices in current French music. She studied opera singing, and it shows in her powerful, expressive, and controlled voice. It inevitably brings to mind Barbara, but it never falls into regressive nostalgia. There is a modernity and originality in her productions, especially with oriental or Latin influences. Moreover, Clara Ysé is also a remarkable and sensitive songwriter.”
• The days of labelling musical genres are gone, but between us, let’s call it… French chanson.
• We can picture her at the MJF opening for… Zaho de Sagazan.