Sombr, Geese & More Feature on BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2026 Longlist

Sombr, Geese and Sasha Keable are among the artists to feature on the BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2026 longlist published Monday (Dec. 1).

The annual list is described by the BBC as spotlighting “ten exciting new artists tipped for success next year” and has become “a trusted marker of future success.” Chappell Roan was the most recent victor of the Sound Of prize in 2025.

Joining the aforementioned trio is Alessi Rose, Chloe Qisha, Florence Road, Jim Legxacy, kwn, Royel Otis, and Skye Newman. The top five from the list will be announced from Jan. 5, 2026 onwards, culminating in the winner on Jan. 9.

The shortlist and winner is compiled and selected by over 170 U.K. music industry professionals and artists including Elton John, Dua Lipa, JADE, Olivia Dean, YUNGBLUD and Sam Smith.

Sound Of was established in 2003 and has become a crucial part of the U.K. music industry’s tips season. Adele, Lady Gaga, RAYE, The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Lewis Capaldi are among the artists to appear on the list over its history. Recent winners have included The Last Dinner Party (2024), FLO (2023), PinkPantheress (2022), Pa Salieu (2021) and Celeste (2020).

For the 2026 edition, eligible artists must not have had more than three top 10 singles in the Official Singles Chart, and cannot have been a lead artist on a No. 1 album in the Official Albums Chart before October 6, 2025. Previously, artists were not allowed more than two U.K. top 10 albums or two U.K. top 10 singles.

Sombr has the highest-charting LP among nominees with 2025’s I Barely Know Her (No. 10), followed by Geese’s acclaimed third album Getting Killed (No. 26). Sombr just makes cut with three top 10 U.K. singles (“Back to Back”, “Undressed” and “12 to 12”), while Skye Newman boasts three top 40 U.K. singles, though only “Family Matters” has reached the top 10 (No. 5).

The changes were made in response to criticism of the criteria following Chappell Roan’s victory in 2025, a year following her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, which also hit the top spot on the U.K. charts. She featured on the longlist with Barry Can’t Swim, Confidence Man, Doechii, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Good Neighbours, KNEECAP, mk.gee, Myles Smith and Pozer.

BBC Sound Of 2026 longlist