Written by Kyra Lennon
The United Kingdom has produced some legendary bands over the years. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Muse are just a few examples of the fantastic music Britain has given to the world. If you are a music fan heading to the UK for a vacation, there are some excellent artists you should know about.
Here are the top ten British artists every traveler to the UK should see.
Noah and the Whale have been on the music scene since 2006, but it wasn't until their first album in 2008 that they started to make a name for themselves. Their style of music is known as indie folk, or indie rock, and as such it is quite different from the music you would normally hear in the charts. One of their most well-known songs is the very catchy "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N," which will stay in your head for days!
At just 23 years old, Jessie J is a breath of fresh air to the UK music scene. Her rise to fame was quite slow, but she was handpicked by Cyndi Lauper to join her as a supporting act in 2008. Her music is empowering, and she doesn't shy away from writing songs that will tug at your heart strings. There is nothing cheesy or sugary about Jessie; she is edgy and cool.
The Darkness aren't a new band, but when they announced they were re-forming in 2011, fans all over the world rejoiced! Their blend of fantastic rock, teamed with their comedy lyrics make them a must see band for any traveler to the UK. They are loud, a little crazy, and bundles of fun.
JSK singer and songwriter Samuel Kenny is a 19-year-old with a bright future. His style is a mix of singing and rapping, affectionately known as "sing-rap." In 2010, Kenny spent some time in LA, working on his sound, and when he returned, he was quickly offered a gig at Mama Stones (a Devon club owned by the mother of Joss Stone). Samuel Kenny continued to take on more gigs, and after playing at Lemonfest (a large music festival in the South West of England), his popularity soared to new heights.
This band has taken the world by storm. Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane make up one of the best bands to come out of the UK in recent years. One of the reasons they are so fantastic at what they do is because they have a genuine bond as friends, and a deep-rooted love of music. This allows them to create the heartfelt, yet folksy music we have come to know and love.
According to the band's website, their debut album was recorded in a couple of weeks in 2010. For something that took such a short time to record, it contains some outstanding music. They are very much a rock band, with a touch of punk, and their lyrics are not all suitable for the whole family. They aren't a band you can take the kids to see, but if you are traveling with friends and you like to rock out, The Vaccines are not to be missed!
Cher Lloyd placed fourth in the UK version of "The X Factor" in 2010, and since then, she has gone on to do exceptionally well. Her debut single entered the British charts at number one, and her follow up single reached number four. Most recently, Lloyd has teamed up with Brian "Astro" Bradley who is best known for being on America's first season of "The X Factor," to release a track called "Want U Back." Cher Lloyd could be compared to Nicki Minaj for her rapping, unique voice and crazy style choices.
James Morrison is everything a singer should be. He's young, he's cool, he writes his own music and every word has the power to stir your emotions. Women will swoon at his slightly gravelly voice, and men who enjoy the softer side of music will be impressed with his talent. It doesn't matter where you go in the UK, Morrison is probably going to be playing there at some point! He is mesmerizing on stage, and you won't ever forget a night at one of his shows.
Hailing from the South West of England, Rude Tiger are following in the footsteps of Muse, who also come from the same area. In 2010, they worked hard to get themselves noticed by playing gigs up and down the country, never forgetting their Westcountry roots. In 2011, they started touring in Europe, and they have toured with Feeder. Make sure you find somewhere to see them, so you can say you saw them before they hit the big time!
10. Frankie & the Heartstrings
There is a slight retro feel to Frankie & the Heartstrings' music, but it definitely has a very modern edge; they've recently been on tour with The Vaccines. They are definitely a great band to see if you want some foot-tapping music that isn't too heavy.
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