Jake Bugg

It’s difficult to believe that Bugg actually only just turned twenty earlier this year; it already feels as if he’s been around for quite some time now, thanks in no small part to the sheer ubiquity of his self-titled debut record. In fact, it was only released in October of 2012, but the success of singles like “Lightning Bolt” and “Two Fingers” helped cement Bugg’s reputation as Britain’s most promising young troubadour. His outspoken attitude - he readily presented himself as a chart-worthy alternative to the musicians turned out by the likes of The X Factor - and no-nonsense musical approach have endeared him to an ever-burgeoning fanbase, and the runaway success of his chart-topping first album allowed him to decamp to Los Angeles and work with legendary producer Rick Rubin on his follow-up, “Shangri-La”.

That, too, went in at number one on the UK charts, and he’s capitalized on that by playing his first ever UK arena shows this year, proving that the hype that surrounded him when he made impressive performances at major festivals and on Later...with Jools Holland two years ago was justified. With his whole career still ahead of him, Bugg is no flash in the pan - work’s already underway on album number three.