10 New Brighton Artists to Check Out in 2026

Welcome to Crafting Room Recordings Blog! As a proudly independent Brighton record label, we’ve always believed that the Brighton music scene is one of the most vibrant and exciting in the world. Whether you’re searching for your new favourite band or just want to keep your finger on the pulse of the new music Brighton has to offer, have a listen to this selection of incredible independent music. To celebrate the incredible talent in Brighton, we’ve put together a list of 10 essential artists you need on your radar this year.

Soft Top

Latest Release: Gathering Dust

Soft Top is a magnificent seven-piece ensemble of chamber-pop delight. Their highly ambitious debut concept album, Gathering Dust, explores a captivating narrative about a protagonist caught in a liminal space between life and death after a car accident. Fusing lush orchestral arrangements of clarinet and cello with jazz-flecked yacht rock sensibilities, it’s a stunning, meticulously crafted body of work released right here on Crafting Room Recordings.

Glasshouse Red Spider Mite

Latest Release: Hell 1000

Combining tense slowcore dynamics with fuzzed-out post-emo shoegaze, Glasshouse Red Spider Mite is a post-rock force to be reckoned with. Their new single, Hell 1000, produced by Louis Milburn of Folly Group, clocks in as a ferocious, urgent punch against the burgeoning threat of machine-driven numbness and AI. It’s an exhilarating step forward for one of the city's most alluring and unpredictable guitar acts. We were thrilled to have them on the CRR great escape stage at Komedia this year!

ELLiS D

Latest Release: Spill

If you've witnessed an ELLiS D live show, you know it’s an explosion of theatrical chaos. The brainchild of drummer-turned-frontman Ellis Dickson, this project channels rocket-fuelled, goth-tinged glam-punk laced heavily with 21st-century paranoia. The Spill EP is a breathless jetstream of art-rock energy that firmly cements him as one of the most exciting, must-see live acts in the city.

Opal Mag

Latest Release: Goodbye Lavender

A beloved fixture of the local alternative circuit, Opal Mag never fails to deliver high-quality indie brilliance. Their highly anticipated 2026 release, Goodbye Lavender, perfectly showcases their knack for infectious melodies, hazy guitars and captivating song structures. They are staples of the live circuit for very good reason and this release only reinforces that reputation for incredible songwriting.

Hutch

Latest Release: Mrs Sunshine EP

Originally formed during the long nights of lockdown, Hutch brings sun-soaked, twang-heavy yacht rock right to the shores of Brighton beach. They’ve mainstays of the Brighton music scene with their members permeating bands across the city. Drawing inspiration from artists like Andy Shauf, The Beatles and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, the Mrs Sunshine EP is an eccentric, brilliantly written collection of tracks that feels both nostalgic and entirely fresh.

ELIKSA

Latest Release: From Falmer Court

Transporting listeners straight into the clouds, ELIKSA is the epitome of daydreamer indie rock. Their latest release From Falmer Court (via Crafting Room Recordings) is a live album recorded over a single day in a historic medieval barn. It brilliantly captures the raw fuzz and disaffected, slacker charm of their live performance.

Oral Habit

Latest Release: A Broken Chord

Taking psych grooves and throwing them into a blender with frantic garage and Krautrock, Oral Habit is a band to behold. Following their reputation for blistering live performances, their concise debut full-length album, A Broken Chord, captures their swirling, raw energy. It’s an unmissable record for fans of heavy fuzz and psych.

Maximilian

Latest Release: Diurnals

Maximilian brings a much-needed dose of lush, intimate folk-rock to the city. Released through Crafting Room Recordings, the Diurnals EP is an entirely acoustic, live-recorded masterpiece made without a single click track. Eliciting well-deserved comparisons to Sufjan Stevens and Elliott Smith, it's a sweeping, warm and cinematic celebration of love and gratitude.

Slag

Latest Release: Losing

Slag might just be one of the most impressively tight acts in town right now. With intricate guitar work and explosive songwriting this group is proving that the future of alternative rock is in safe hands. Check out their debut album released through Big Scary Monsters and head to their live shows whenever you can.

Cordelia Gartside

Latest Release: X-ray

Crafting a lo-fi alt-rock universe all her own, Cordelia Gartside combines sharp, arresting lyricism with walls of atmospheric distortion. Drawing nods to heavyweights like Big Thief, Mitski and Radiohead, her incredible new single X-ray marks a thrilling new chapter for an artist who effortlessly balances quiet, hypnotic introspection with mesmerising lyricism.

As an indie rock label in the Brighton music scene, we’re thrilled to share these incredible releases with you. Stay up to date with our playlist of recommended new releases and stay tuned to Crafting Room Recordings for even more throughout the year!