Future of music 2026

Our annual Future 25 list returns with another crop of local acts ready for the global stage. Our list features 25 acts who have us excited for what's next in Aotearoa and Australian music, from pop-stars-in-waiting to rising rappers to thoughtful singer-songwriters and much more. Plus: exclusive interviews with each act, stunning 'In My Room' live sessions and more.

The Future 25

Our annual Future of Music list returns with another crop of exciting Aotearoa and Australian acts ready for the global stage

There's a Tuesday

The Christchurch band's dreamy and sincere indie-pop has already earned them BIGSOUND showcases and a major South Korean residency

Keli Holiday

The Peking Duk member's solo project has made him a breakout star — and no one in Australia can stop talking about him

Cat & Calmell

Australia's most exciting new pop duo have already supported KATSEYE on tour

Earth Tongue

The duo's fuzzy psych-rock has won them admirers across Europe and beyond

Vera Ellen

The Aotearoa indie musician's DIY approach has taken her all the way to awards acclaim and global festival stages

RNZŌ’s Authenticity Is Helping Him Stand Out in ANZ Hip-Hop

RNZO

Meet one of the most exciting rappers in Aotearoa hip-hop's new generation

Geneva AM

The Māori producer and vocalist released one of the best Aotearoa albums of 2025

REDD.

This genre-hopping artist is everything a modern music star should be

Dick Move

This socialist party-punk band have a lot to say — and Kiwis are listening

Folk Bitch Trio

The Melbourne indie-folk trio's timeless harmonies are winning them fans far beyond Australia

Way Dynamic

From MJ Lenderman to Elton John, everyone is enamoured by Way Dynamic's songwriting

Theia

The Māori artist took the long route to her debut album — but it was more than worth the wait

Memphis lk

Memphis LK is embracing motherhood while being one of Australia's most exciting producers

HEADSEND

Does Gen Z finally have its own Silverchair? If you've ever listened to HEADSEND, the answer is clearly yes

Muroki

Raglan-raised, Berlin-based, Kenya-born — Muroki is a musician of the world

Bumpy

Bumpy’s soulful music feels rooted in something much deeper than genre

Balu Brigada

Balu Brigada have turned sibling chemistry into global alt-pop magic

Luca George

The Kiwi pop artist writes like someone trying to make loneliness feel less lonely

Pearly*

Meet one of the most exciting bands to emerge out of Dunedin in a generation

Borderline

Still only at the beginning of their first album cycle, Borderline already sound like they are thinking bigger

Mouseatouille

It makes so much sense that Black Country, New Road asked Mouseatouille to support them

Shady Nasty

No other band in the world sounds like Shady Nasty — and that's a good thing

Radio Free Alice

Meet one of the best post-punk bands to emerge out of Australia in years

Inertia

Inertia are not interested in staying neatly inside the lines of heavy music

BOY SODA

Australia has a modern-day R&B icon in its midst

In My Room with Theia

Watch Theia perform three tracks from her stunning debut album

In My Room with Borderline

Borderline are currently in the midst of the Australian leg of their album tour, with shows remaining in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne

In My Room with Radio Free Alice

Radio Free Alice performed a short but sweet 'In My Room' session to celebrate their inclusion in our 'Future of Music' series

In My Room with Muroki

Muroki performed a laidback 'In My Room' session to celebrate his inclusion in our 'Future of Music' 2026 series

In My Room with Bumpy

Bumpy performed a stunning 'In My Room' session for our 'Future of Music' series

In My Room with Mouseatouille

Mouseatouille performed a Rolling Stone AU/NZ 'In My Room' session ahead of their appearance at Smith St Hotel Weekender

In My Room with Earth Tongue

The New Zealand garage-rock duo showed why they're one of the most in-demand live acts in the world with a ferocious 'In My Room' session

In My Room with Geneva AM

Geneva AM performed an 'In My Room' session for our 'Future of Music' series ahead of a special show at Auckland's Q Theatre

The Future 25