The Future of Rock: 4 Artists to Keep on Your Radar
Article via Kenzie Gay ★ @kenzwrites ★ January 10th, 2025
2024, as so eloquently stated by several media outlets along with millions of users online, was the year of pop. We had several pop acts emerge to the front lines such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and even those like Stephen Sanchez, Benson Boone, and Teddy Swims on smaller scales. Given the popularity of these, we can expect similar artists to emerge in the coming year based off of music industry patterns but if we take a look at scenes outside of the mainstream charts, those that have continuously been overlooked during the last two decades, I think we will also find some real, raw talent that’s bound to rise up from the ashes.
Specifically, the genre of rock music, though ever evolving and changing, has a good chance at finally breaking that boundary in the coming years. Acts like Inhaler and Fontaines D.C. emerged as promising groups in 2024, giving other rock artists a possible opening for this year. It’s extremely early to say but it is my professional opinion that big things are right around the corner for the rock community, some of which may prove to be a shock but a breath of fresh air nonetheless. There are four acts that come to mind and though they are ‘small’ as of publishing, I can see them making it to the top eventually.
The Criticals
A duo composed of guitarist Cole Shugart and vocalist Parker Forbes, The Criticals have been one of Nashville’s hidden gems for quite some time. With a sound that many have described as “sex rock”, the duo holds similarities to greats before them such as Lenny Kravitz and Vampire Weekend. The last few years for Shugart and Forbes have been pretty busy with shows, some of which were opening gigs for larger acts such as Houndmouth, festivals, and, of course, the building of their debut album.
Between 2019 and 2023, the band put out multiple EPs which have now been jumbled into one master compilation on streaming services titled The EPs (2019-2023) then in 2024, they began to tease some of the music that’s bound to be on this future full length record. September brought us Adoringly Drunk and then Danish Eyes soon followed in November.
The Criticals’ debut album is rumored to be released some time this year and there is also much chatter about a headlining tour that will venture outside of their home turf in the Southern United States. With both of these things in mind, it will be no surprise if they grow exponentially in terms of fan base.
The Criticals via Landon James Edwards
The Velveteers
A rip—roaring trio from the Boulder, Colorado area, The Velveteers have been slowly but surely making their mark on the rock n roll world over the last few years. The current lineup consists of lead singer and guitarist Demi Demitro along with drumming duo Baby Pottersmith and Johnny Fig though when the group debuted it was just Demitro and Pottersmith according to our 2024 interview with them that you can read here.
The Velveteers’ debut single, Death Hex, emerged in 2016 and it was then followed by Tale of the Bad Seed in 2019. Their ‘big break’, however, came in 2021 when they made and released their very first full length album under the title of Nightmare Daydream. This was big in part due to Dan Auerbach, 1/2 of The Black Keys and a renowned music producer who owns and operates Easy Eye Sound, a record label in which The Velveteers are signed to (amongst others). Auerbach saw the group’s potential and helped them with this start up album, which in turn got them opportunities to open for large acts such as The Smashing Pumpkins and Greta Van Fleet.
Late 2024 also brought newer, bigger things for the trio as they went on their very first big headlining tour which was paired up with new singles: On and On, Suck the Cherry, and Go Fly Away. These were revealed to be part of the band’s upcoming sophomore album, A Million Knives, which is due to drop on Valentine’s Day (pre save it here). Furthermore, the group has announced more headlining dates that will kick off on the album’s release day in their home state at Hi—Dive in Denver.
From the double drums to their sound that combines influence from The Kills and St. Vincent, The Velveteers stand out amongst the sea of garage rock bands that have been popping up more and more in recent times.
The Velveteers via Jason Thomas Geering (left) and Kate LaMendola (right)
Velvet Daydream
Yet another Colorado—originated group is Velvet Daydream. If you’re a frequent reader then surely you’ve heard of the band by now but as a refresher: Velvet Daydream is a young but mighty four piece rock band composed of Kaeden Keys (guitar, vox), Ryder King (guitar, vox), Nick Schwartz (drums, vox), and Jude Pfanstiel (bass, vox). According to an interview I did with them this past fall through a separate outlet, the group pulls influence from the 1970s era of rock, specifically the styles of The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, and Eagles.
Debuting in the fall of 2023 with their single No Eyes, the group got much attention via Tiktok for their vintage sound and look. The group soon released their very first (and only as of publishing) record that they chose to self title. The album is full of explosive solos, attentive lyricism, and all around intensity that much of today’s music is lacking. This album garnered them a very fast paced 2024 filled with rowdy performances and studio time that eventually gave listeners Sunflower Sky, Revolver, What They Say, Leave You There, and Blackberry Jam.
These five singles are now expected to be apart of the band’s second album, which they made mention to in an Instagram post celebrating the last year and their accomplishments. “We don’t want to give too much away, but expect a new album…” They wrote in their January 1st upload. With this album, fans are also eager to see if the group can travel outside of Colorado and its surrounding states to tour and play shows elsewhere but all we know for certain is that you can expect a full album breakdown from us once the LP comes to light.
Velvet Daydream via Madi King (left) and Madeleine Colbert (right)
Mirador
Last, though certainly not least, is the cryptic and ever mysterious supergroup Mirador. In April of 2023, Mirador showed themselves to the world just in time for the Spring leg of renowned rock band Greta Van Fleet’s Starcatcher tour. The band appeared to be fronted by Jake Kiszka, the guitarist of Greta Van Fleet, and Chris Turpin, the singer and guitarist of fellow band Ida Mae.
Kiszka and Turpin both seemed to have met a few years ago when both bands collaborated on tour and things stuck; only this time they’ve brought on bassist Nick Pini and percussionist Mike Sorbello to make their own outside band. The group opened up for a select number of Starcatcher shows alongside New York alternative band Geese, presenting their bluesy and dark approach at rock to arenas full of antsy fans. According to fans on Reddit and Tiktok, their most popular songs are titled Must I Go Bound and Feels Like Gold but there is one catch: the band hasn’t actually released anything yet.
A common theme both with Jake Kiszka himself and Greta Van Fleet’s marketing approach has always been the theme of ambiguity and the element of building up anticipation until the last possible second to create an even larger buzz and reaction. Mirador is taking that exact page out of the book as well because after they performed those twelve shows as openers, they seemingly vanished. No updates, no new music, nothing besides an occasional post with an enigmatic caption that may be lyrics or something else entirely. This lack of activity may large in part be due to the fact that Greta Van Fleet spent most of the year touring or playing festival sets worldwide but now that things have settled and it seems that Greta Van Fleet is taking a moment to cool their heels, it may be Mirador’s time to shine.
Allegedly, Turpin recently ran into a fan who claimed that he said ‘big things’ were in store for the group in 2025. An EP? An album? A tour? Nobody is sure but on October 29th, the band’s Instagram posted what appeared to be press photos with the caption “My feet have walked the cold dark earth for my love that I adore” which again, could be lyrics or something much bigger. That was the last we heard from Mirador as of publishing but again, it’s only January and if Turpin’s claim was legitimate then I doubt it’ll be the last time.
1/2 of Mirador (left photo via Lewis Evans)
