Predicting the future can be a perilous endeavour, as you run the risk of being left with egg on your face. So why not minimise those odds by predicting what's already happened?
That certainly seems to have been the philosophy behind the BBC's Sound of 2025 list, which foresees big things for such unheard-of artists as Chappell Roan and Confidence Man, plus Mercury Prize winners past and present English Teacher and Ezra Collective. Of the eight shortlisted artists/bands, only three are yet to release a debut album. Nostradamus would be turning in his grave.
The nature of the list has changed, it seems, due to an amendment to the eligibility rules. But it begs the question: what purpose does the list serve? What, essentially, is the point?
If it's to remind the general public of some acts that might be on the fringes of their consciousness, then fine, I suppose. But if it's to give useful pointers to bona fide music fans seeking out the next big thing, to draw attention to talented hopefuls recommended by those with their ears close to the ground (as it used to be), then it's worthless.
Judging from this NME piece, the general reaction has been much the same as my own. I wonder whether the changes to those self-imposed eligibility rules might be reversed for next year.
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