Ready to hit play? Meet the class of 2026, curated by Universal Music Australia.
Introducing a new selection of four artists we’re backing to be the stars of the future, and four breaking artists – familiar faces we know and love. We’re already halfway through another massive year, and we can’t wait for you to hear some incredible new music. We’re looking forward to working together to take these priority UMG artists to the next level.
For now… check out the reel, listen to the playlist, and get ready to hear more from this superstar lineup!
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ADÉLA
In a landscape often bound by formulaic conventions, ADÉLA emerges as an artist who refuses to conform. The 22-year-old singer doesn’t just make pop music — she distorts it, challenges it, and makes it feel larger than life, yet always rooted in unfiltered emotion. That balance between grandeur and sincerity is central to her debut EP The Provocateur for Capitol Records, which garnered her praise from outlets such as Vogue, Interview Magazine, The FADER, Harper’s Bazaar, NYLON, Rolling Stone and PAPER Magazine, the last of which declared that her “fame comes at no surprise.” With this acclaim in tow, ADÉLA quickly sold out her debut solo live performances in London, New York, and Los Angeles. As her rapidly growing fanbase anxiously anticipates her next body of work, it’s clear to see that the sky is the only limit for the rising pop star.
Devon again
Devon Again is a Los Angeles–based alt-pop artist crafting emotionally vivid, off-kilter pop songs that balance raw honesty with playful experimentation. She first broke through with her self-released 2022 EP Pee, followed by her 2025 project In Order, which helped establish her as an emerging voice in alternative pop with a growing, deeply engaged fanbase. Now signed to Interscope Records in partnership with Dan Nigro’s Amusement Records, Devon is entering a new chapter—one defined by creative freedom, irreverence, and a refusal to self-censor.
VIOLET GROHL
A native of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, Violet Grohl has been immersed in music from her earliest days. Whether singing along to Beatles vinyl alone in her bedroom, writing her first song at the age of 12 or gracing real world stages big and small, Violet has always been focused on increasing her musical palette and vocabulary. She’s a true student of the art form, whose notebooks are stuffed with poetry and influences that bend genres. In 2024, Violet met producer Justin Raisen (Charli xcx, Kim Gordon) and went on an unexpected (and unexpectedly prolific) ride to collaborate on the music featured on her debut album, Be Sweet To Me, which was released May 29th 2026.
Freya skye
Freya Skye is widely adored and has earned an unprecedented surge of fan support over the past year – amassing over 2 billion streams of her music and garnering millions of new social media followers around the world. silent treatment, has amassed over 40 million streams and earnt her recognition as iHeart Radio’s On the Verge artist. Freya brought her Stars Align world tour to Australia in June, her debut performances in the country. All shows sold-out instantly and were upgraded to large venues due to the fan response!
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KATSEYE
Grammy-nominated global girl group KATSEYE has been steadily rising with a sound and presence that feels confident, playful, and always a step ahead, consistently pushing pop forward. This year has been a breakout one for them, they made their Coachella debut, and picked up Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance – further cementing their momentum. They were also named to The Washington Post’s Post Next: 50 People Shaping Our Society in 2026. Their impact has stretched across both culture and industry recognition, including a GLAAD Media Awards nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist. They were also one of our Ignite artists this year, and made their first-ever Australian appearance in Melbourne, where the show sold out within minutes.
SIENNA SPIRO
A phenomenal vocal talent with an uncompromising vision, Sienna Spiro is renowned for her staggering vocals, emotional storytelling, and immense poise. It’s almost impossible to believe that Sienna is just 20 years old. Yet she has found a global audience not only by releasing cinematic, soulful, and timeless songs with a subtle modern edge, but especially through her jaw-dropping live performances. A DIY-minded artist who first started penning songs at just 10 years old, Sienna’s earliest inspirations included Frank Ocean, Etta James, Frank Sinatra, and Amy Winehouse. She soon began weaving jazz influences into her music while gently leaning toward more contemporary sonic aesthetics, as heard on her stunning debut album Visitor, released on 3 July.
ROLE MODEL
Role Model broke through with his sophomore album Kansas Anymore, featuring the viral hit Sally, When The Wine Runs Out, which has amassed over 350 million streams to date. He performed the track on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Saturday Night Live alongside surprise guest Charli XCX. At Laneway Festival Role Model brought out The Wiggles and Robert Irwin. Beyond music, he’s making his acting debut in Lena Dunham’s upcoming Netflix film Good Sex, starring alongside Natalie Portman and Mark Ruffalo. Most recently, he announced his highly anticipated new album, Chuck Timely & The Hourglass, arriving August 7.
TUCKER WETMORE
An ACM Award-winning singer-songwriter and headline performer who has already surpassed 2.7 billion career streams, chart-topper Tucker Wetmore has taken just a few years to leave a lasting mark. Raised in Kalama, Washington, the piano-playing student of country, rock, reggae and more wrote his first song after a college football injury, reaching Nashville in 2020. Kicking off his career with Platinum Wine Into Whiskey and debut US country radio #1 Wind Up Missin’ You, Wetmore landed on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 in 2024 with both tracks, showcasing a serene, sawtoothed-country buzz. He released his debut album, What Not To, to wide acclaim in 2025, wrapping hard-won life lessons in laid-back singalongs and soul-scouring balladry. The project marked the year’s biggest country album debut from a new artist. Out now, his new six-song Sunburn Mixtape turns up the heat with sun-dappled grooves, polished hooks and a sleek rhythmic pulse, expanding the sound of a hitmaker firmly in his stride. Already a veteran of major tours alongside Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett and Jason Aldean, Wetmore launched The Brunette World Tour in 2026 with dates across the US, UK/Europe, before joining Jordan Davis on his sold-out Australian arena tour. Named ACM New Male Artist of the Year, a Billboard Country Rising Star and CMA New Artist of the Year nominee, he continues to build on a breakout run defined by #1 singles and sold-out headline dates.