Hospital Radio: The Brits have still got it

So, what about modern, up-to-date music?

In recent weeks I’ve talked about the past, but what about now? Does British music set trends all around the world? We certainly have in the past, with British and American music leading the way since the advent of rock’n’roll.

Throughout the 20th century, bands depended on record labels and radio broadcasts to connect with their audiences, with physical albums and singles confirming success or failure. However, the emergence of digital streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music has transformed the music world, enabling bands to instantly reach global audiences.

As the century started, bands like Blur and Oasis dominated the charts and captured the imagination of a generation, and Britrock flourished, with its guitar-based music pushing in new and exciting directions. Its popularity was confirmed by the return of Oasis this summer to sold-out gigs.

In Noel Gallagher they have an exceptional songwriter, and if you do not have good songs, it makes no difference; no matter how good a musician you are, you’re really not going to make it.

Since 2000, the UK has produced some of the biggest pop stars in the world. It is an impressive list, and here are a few of the most popular ones. Adele and Ed Sheeran are most definitely at the top of the tree. Her powerful voice and emotional ballads have allowed Adele to dominate the global charts. Whereas Ed’s heartfelt songwriting and acoustic style have made him one of the best-selling artists of all time.

There have been some notable bands as well; two that differ in almost every way except for their worldwide success are One Direction and Coldplay. One Direction were put together on the X Factor, five individuals who conquered the world.

They have sold over 70 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. Whilst now on hiatus, the individual members, in particular Harry Styles, continue to produce music with a unique sound. Sadly, it does seem unlikely that they will re-form given the recent tragic death of Liam Payne.

Coldplay took a different route, forming in 1997 at University College London, where Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion were students. Their debut album, Parachutes, featuring the hit single Yellow, propelled them to international fame in 2000. The band has been releasing chart-topping music for the last 25 years.

All 10 of their studio albums have made it to number one on the Official UK Charts. With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, Coldplay are one of the best-selling music acts of all time. They are also the first group in Spotify history to reach 90 million monthly listeners.

Where to next, I hear you asking? Well, I have got my crystal ball out to see who will dominate the charts worldwide over the next few years. Platforms such as TikTok and YouTube have become launch pads for emerging artists, allowing them to share their music with millions of listeners and build fan bases, so maybe look there if you want something new.

My tips. British duo Good Neighbours may not be a household name just yet, but it’s evident that people have heard their music with hit songs like Home and Daisies; the latter is featured in a successful computer game. Last year saw their debut EP and a sold-out UK tour. This year they have been on a successful North American tour.

Two girl singers have been making waves in the industry. English singer-songwriter and guitarist Paris Paloma gained prominence through the single Labour (2023). Her debut album, Cacophony, was released in 2024. Then there is Joyce Cisse, who is still in her teens (this makes me feel very old), who is from London and made an appearance at Glastonbury singing the breezy pop banger Breaking News.

All in all, the future looks bright for British music.