RT 2FM has today announced the eagerly anticipated list of 2FM Rising Artists for 2024. Chosen each year by a panel of experts, the class of 2024 are Big Sleep, Brad Heidi, Chubby Cat, Jordan Adetunji, Qbanaa, Saibh Skelly, Shee, Sick Love, Strabe and The Cope.2FM will champion the ten selected artists throughout the coming year, with particular focus on the acts unveiling exclusive new music and interviews during Rising Week which takes place from Monday November 27th until Sunday December 3rd.
Adam Fogarty, Director of Music at RT 2FM said: 2FM are delighted to announce our 2FM Rising list for 2024. The support of Irish artists and music is an integral part of 2FM's identity and output, and through core initiatives like 2FM Rising we aim to support the next generation of amazing talent creating music in Ireland across our platforms.
The list was carefully deliberated over and discussed with great passion over a number of weeks, and the 2FM Rising list for 2024 is a wonderful representation of some of the most exciting artists and music coming from Ireland. We're excited for another great year for Irish music in 2024.
Previous 2FM Rising artists include Dermot Kennedy, Denise Chaila, Lyra, Pillow Queens, The Murder Capital and Wild Youth.
The 2FM Rising Acts 2024
Big Sleep
Big Sleep have been making waves both across Ireland and internationally in 2023. The Dublin-based outfit partly met at school and other members later joined having met through the city's live music scene. With indie-pop qualities that blend alternative rock and soul sounds, the band cite artists including Big Thief, JJ Cale, Jamiroquai and The Cure as influences. It's been a busy time for the four-piece. So far this year they've toured with Somebody's Child, received international radio play (BBC R1, Radio X, RT 2FM), with features on major Spotify editorials (Hot New Bands, New Music Friday) and toured across Europe with sold out shows in London, Dublin and Berlin to wrap up what's been a hectic 2023 for the band. Big Sleep's Sophomore EP Isn't That Sweet is out now.
Brad Heidi
Galway based singer-songwriter Brad Heidi who recently won the BAI Radio / Hotpress Irish Music Month's A New Local Hero award is fast becoming the next Irish singer songwriter to break through. Brad has been travelling around Ireland busking with just his acoustic guitar and a suitcase full of heartfelt songs. He was spotted by Collective Mgmt just before the lockdown and now Brad has gone from busking on the streets to selling out his first shows, playing the Main Stage at Electric Picnic 2023, and has also recently opened for Billy Joel in Hyde Park London. His self-released EP, which qualified for the official Irish album Charts, reached No.2 on the independent album Charts and his singles Dancing In My Head and Nobody But You have already broken the Top 40 on the Irish radio charts. Brad has also mastered TIKTOK where he has reached 1 Million Likes and was crowned by TIKTOK as the No.1 Most Followed Irish artist in 2022.
Chubby Cat
Stamped with an individuality and style of her own, Chubby Cat has just been selected to perform at the prestigious Eurosonic Festival in the Netherlands. Hailing from Cork, but now firmly planted in the blossoming Belfast Music Scene, Chubby Cat has already been making waves in Ireland with her earlier singles, Not a Vibe, Big Dog Barking, 21st Century Panic Attack, and Baby Blue & Ache picking up support at Irish Radio, blogs and assorted DSP's including Spotify's New Music Friday, GLOW, UK & IE and New Pop UK. Chubby Cat was also included on' Best of Fresh Finds 2022 the influential Spotify International playlist, and named as one of the Hot for 2023 Irish acts by HotPress. Chubby Cat is building a significant live audience having recently being one of the standout performers at Ireland Music Week and is due to represent Ireland at the prestigious Eursonic Festival in the Netherlands in January. She supported hot UK act Crawlers and Tourist for their sold-out shows in Dublin, and also recently performed at the Independence Festival Cork, Output Festival in Belfast, The Mother Summer Block Party in Dublin and Sofar Sounds Belfast.
Jordan Adetunji
Jordan Adetunji hailing from Belfast is breaking all the rules with his genre merging rap and R&B post punk. The Alternative Hip-Hop Artist has gained a huge momentum with his tracks being featured in Spotify playlists such as Alternative Hip Hop, Chillmatic, and New Punk Tracks, as well as rap uk and Fresh Finds Rock. Jordan Adetunji has also been played by Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody on radio, remarking he is the next star after hearing and seeing him live. He has also featured in Dazed, ID, NME magazine for his creative work.
Qbanaa
In the year since she released her debut single Truth and Desire Qbanaa has established herself as one of the rising stars of an Irish music scene that is continuing to incorporate new influences, cultures and sounds. The artist's recent single Mundo En Mis Manos / World In My Hands received love from BBC Introducing, RTE 2FM, Nialler9, Hot Press and GoldenPlec. Written in what she calls Spanglish' (a mixture of Spanish and English). It's a swansong for her early twenties, detailing her blossoming on her new adventure into womanhood. Based in Dublin, Qbanaa spent her early years travelling back and forth to Cuba, where music and salsa dancing were integral parts of her childhood. Singing in school choirs and with her grandmother in Spanish Mass in Dublin City Centre, until she moved outskirts of Dublin with her mother near the sea. Selected by District Magazine in the summer for their Future of Irish Music in 2023, July's curveball Shrink saw her explore a new pop and drum n' bass influenced sound and made an immediate impact
