SO.CO Team
IOM Awards Shortlist: Must See Artist Of The Year
Live music is the beating heart of what we do at So.Co, so it only feels right to celebrate the acts that make the medium so exciting, and keep us coming back night after night to see what surprises they have for us.
With that in mind, we're delighted to announce the shortlist for Must See Live Act Of The Year 2024. The shortlist has been selected by the So.Co team, and voting is open to our awesome community.
To vote, keep an eye on your inbox for our weekly newsletter!
Millie Manders & The Shutup
Fortitude magazine called MMATS "High-octane, fierce, bursting with attitude and almost obnoxiously addictive" and we're inclined to agree. Manders could very easily become the defining voice of new British punk.
Tom A. Smith
We've been banging the drum for Tom A. Smith since the early days, and his place on this list was a no-brainer. He's already commanding a small army of diehard fans (The Weirdos, as they're affectionately known) and the sold out signs are going up outside his gigs more and more often.
Tom A. Smith by Thomas Jackson
Pillow Queens
Dublin's Pillow Queens have been around since 2016, producing a slew of superb singles, and release their third album, Name Your Sorrow, in April. If the last two are anything to go by, it will be another instant classic.
Pillow Queens by Thomas Jackson
Cassyette
There's a lot of punk on this list, but that's because it's the most exciting and progressive genre in the UK right now. Cassyette is at the forefront of that. She's an absolute alt-icon and a performer who needs to be seen live.
Cassyette by Callum Robinson
Benefits
Teesside's Benefits have been making waves for a little while up north, but the rest of the country is starting to wake up to them. Their debut album, Nails, is a visceral blast of anger and glitch-punk power
Benefits by Robert Barrett
Militarie Gun
More punks, but this time from the other side of the pond. LA's Militarie Gun are gaining both fans and column inches at a rate of knots, and whilst their sound isn't anything brand new, they do it superbly.
Nova Twins
If you haven't heard of Nova Twins yet, where have you been? The London alt-rock duo are doing it all, and are becoming harder and harder to ignore. They'll be the biggest band in the UK in the not too distant future.
Nova Twins by Warren Millar
Sleaford Mods
Sleaford Mods have done it all, and are still managing to crank out affirming yet angry bangers. Raging against the state of the country right now, recent album UK Grim is a masterpiece of poetic vitriol. If you needed to encapsulate life in Britain today, that album is it. Quite simply, Sleadford Mods are essential.
Sleaford Mods by James Keane
Girli
The empower-pop princess is becoming something of a queer icon already. Girli isn't afraid to get in your face to force her message of inclusivity and openness home. It helps that she's a phenomenal live performer as well!
Girli by Thomas Jackson
Shelf Lives
Our new favourite band. Shelf Lives are showing everyone how it's done right now. The Canadian-British post-punks are currently kicking up a storm in New York before heading down to SXSW, where they're sure to cause a stir. We'll be in the front row.
Shelf Lives by Thomas Jackson
The So.Co Image Of Music Awards (sponsored by Affinity Photo 2) will take place on March 26th at Amazing Grace in London. For free tickets and table bookings, just click here.
Header Image: Cassyette by Callum Robinson