Diary š 10 Artists of Summer 2026
The artists to keep an eye on this summer
Graceās Diary is a collection of personal stories and deep-cut discoveries by TSCMLās Editor-in-Chief, Grace Lilly.
Summertime is music time
Warm weather has music playing. Itās peak concert season, sprinkled with music festivals and new albums every few days. A music-loverās dream.
Without fail and without meaning to, I listen to a different set of musicians each summer. The summer before eighth grade, it was Phoenix and MIKA. The summer after I graduated college, it was Bombay Bicycle Club and the Mamas and the Papas.
Their music soundtracks my memories. Whenever I hear āGirlfriendā by Phoenix, suddenly Iām thirteen, sunbathing on our back porch, trying and failing to get a tan like Paris Hilton. And when I hear āSnowqueen of Texasā by the Mamas and the Papas, Iām twenty-three and riding the subway, eating Welchās fruit snacks (real ones know), trying to distract myself from the New York City heat.
Balmy and sweaty, yes, but good memories.
So to celebrate the start of summer, I thought Iād do another round-up like the 10 Artists to watch in 2026 I wrote back in January. This time, summer specific š
Below are ten artists to keep an eye on this season. From mellow, laid-back afternoons to upbeat, dance-heavy nights, thereās music for every type of summer memory. Enjoy!
Donāt miss the playlist featuring these artists at the bottom of this post š§
x Grace
p.s. These musicians are all touring & performing at festivals over the next few months, so be sure to see them live if you get the chance!
Alternative Pop
1. Chanpan
If you like:
ā¤ļø Bjƶrk
ā¤ļø Gorillaz
ā¤ļø Blur
ā¤ļø PinkPantheress
ā¤ļø LCD Soundsystem
About Chanpan:
New York-based Asian-American trio: Grace Dumdaw and identical twins Lance and Matthew Tran
A āvery cool New York bandā (Vogue); first got attention as a band busking on the streets of Chinatown
Highly creative resampling; started with limited access to instruments
Futuristic sound, themes of anti-imperialism, Asian liberation, and cultural resilience
Inspired by family histories as refugees & immigrants; debut single āJungleā is a political commentary on U.S. bombings in Vietnam and the civil war in Myanmar
Spotify Chanpan
Instagram @chanpanmusic
Songs to check out: ājungleā ā¢ āconfessions part iiiā ā¢ ābuzzinā ā¢ āstriking vipersā
R&B
2. Khamari
If you like:
ā¤ļø Frank Ocean
ā¤ļø Daniel Caesar
ā¤ļø SZA
ā¤ļø Miguel
ā¤ļø Khalid
About Khamari:
Boston native, attended Berklee College of Music
Blends hip-hop, soul, jazz, and indie-pop; nostalgic and fresh at once
Frequently compared to and mistaken for Frank Ocean
Writes highly personal, reflective lyrics about relationships, growth, inner peace, and purpose
A lover of film, his songs have a cinematic emotional depth and vulnerability
Spotify Khamari
Instagram @khamari
Songs to check out: āLonely in the Jungleā ā¢ āDoctor, My Eyesā ā¢ āHead in a Jarā ā¢ āI Love Lucyā
Punk
3. Amyl and The Sniffers
If you like:
ā¤ļø Bikini Kill
ā¤ļø Wet Leg
ā¤ļø Courtney Barnett
ā¤ļø Hole
ā¤ļø Die Spitz
About Amyl and The Sniffers:
Australian pub rock and punk band based in Melbourne
Vocalist Amy Taylor, drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Mehrtens, and bassist Gus Romer
Chaotic, aggressive, high-voltage, surprisingly danceable
Compared to The Ramones and Iggy and the Stooges; heavily influenced by 1970s garage rock
Rapid, raw guitar riffs blend with charismatic, in-your-face vocals
Spotify Amyl and The Sniffers
Instagram @amylandthesniffers
Songs to check out: āTiny Bikiniā ā¢ āBig Dreamsā ā¢ āJerkināā ā¢ āGuided by Angelsā
Dance
4. Confidence Man
If you like:
ā¤ļø Deee-Lite
ā¤ļø Donna Summer
ā¤ļø Kylie Minogue
ā¤ļø Yaeji
ā¤ļø Aqua
About Confidence Man:
Critically acclaimed Australian electronic-pop and dance group
Fronted by duo āJanet Planetā and āSugar Bonesā on vocals
Widely considered one of the most fun live bands in the world
Known for their satirical, high-energy sound, reminiscent of Scissor Sisters and Tom Tom Club
Heavily inspired by 90s Eurodance, 2000s alt-disco, and UK rave culture
Feel good music, campy, addictive club anthems
Spotify Confidence Man
Instagram @confidenceman
Songs to check out: āHolidayā ā¢ āThe Rightā ā¢ āJANETā ā¢ āI CANāT LOSE YOUā
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