BBC Radio 1 crowned Skye Newman as its Sound Of 2026 winner at the start of the month.
It follows a turnaround for UK talent at home and abroad in the past year, with a new generation of stars including Lola Young and Olivia Dean building on the global impact of Myles Smith and Charli XCX in 2024.
In the latest edition of Music Week, we report on the changing fortunes for UK music in the past year, from breakthrough stars to returning artists like Sam Fender, who had the biggest album released in 2025 by a UK artist.
While UK artists struggled on the domestic charts in 2024, last year saw a clear improvement in terms of No.1 singles – even amid the wave of US superstars.
BBC Radio 1 has been at the forefront of the British talent revival, including its Brit List initiative. A new round of Brit List talent is set to be unveiled early this year.
Here, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s head of music Chris Price shares insights on the station’s support for breakthrough stars…
UK talent had a big year with former Brit List names – how has Radio 1 championed those artists including Sam Fender?
“Yes, UK talent really bounced back in 2025, and I’m proud that Radio 1’s Brit List played an important part in that. Sam Fender headlined Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool last year, becoming the fourth Brit List act to do that, and cementing a strategy that very deliberately aims to create artist journeys from BBC Introducing all the way to the top of a festival bill.”
How have you developed the Brit List?
“In 2024 we expanded the Brit List package and made it an on-air brand. Jack Saunders is now the face of Brit List and, of course, an integral part of the selection process. Since those changes were made we’ve added Lola Young, Myles Smith, Artemas, Olivia Dean and Sammy Virji.
“In addition, we created several internal partnerships that would give Brit List artists access to more BBC platforms and extend their reach. For example, Myles Smith reworked his song My Home for the BBC’s Made of Here campaign, putting him into millions of homes nationwide. Myles also played the main stage of Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May and joined the line-up of Live Lounge Month in October.”
UK talent has really bounced back in 2025, and I’m proud that Radio 1’s Brit List played an important part in that
Chris Price
How has Radio 1 supported Olivia Dean in the past year?
“Of course, Olivia is the standout story. We first playlisted her back in February 2023, A-listing Dive later that year. 2025 felt like the perfect time to consolidate that support with a Brit List commitment. Her opening performance for Live Lounge Month was exceptional, and the numbers she delivered reflect the incredible impact she’s had this past year. Olivia’s success is all her own, but we’re proud to be a small part of her story.”
What are your hopes for UK talent in 2026 with the Sound Of… initiative?
“I have really high hopes for British talent in 2026, and the UK names on the Sound Of longlist give me every confidence that the pipeline of exceptional artists will continue well into 2027. Skye Newman is just getting started, but she has already smashed her Live Lounge debut off the back of four Radio 1 playlists last year and an unforgettable performance on the BBC Introducing stage at Big Weekend.”
Do you have any personal favourites?
“I’m super excited about Kwn, whose star continues to rise – helped by stellar support from 1Xtra during 2025 and now crossing over to Radio 1. And Jim Legxacy’s album [Black British Music] has been a personal favourite, demonstrating precisely why he’s the artist everyone wants to collaborate with right now – it’s an incredible time for British music!”
Subscribers can read our new interview with Radio 1’s Jack Saunders.
Click here to read our full report on the UK talent revival.
PHOTO: Jim Legxacy
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