Audio
The best Northern music artists of the month | May 2026
We're switching things up.
Danny Jones -
29th May 2026 
Hello again, long time no see, eh? Well, not really, it was only this time last month, but we are back not just with fresh music suggestions for you, but something new full-stop.
For a few years now, we’ve simply rounded up some of the best bands and artists coming out of Greater Manchester on here, and we’ve loved every single song of it.
But with The Manc Group‘s now dedicated music page, Audio North, not just becoming a beast all of its own, but having got underway with a fully-fledged ‘Artist of the Month’ series, it only made sense to merge the two and start singing the praises of names from as many regions as possible.
These regular lists will still always be Northern, but from here on out, you’ll be getting much more than just Mancunian musicians to wrap yourselves around. Let’s get this thing started.
Five Northern artists we’ve been listening to lately
1. Holly Rolfe
Where else to start this reworked round-up than with Audio North‘s very own singularly selected Artist of the Month for May, Leeds’ Holly Rolfe, who is a self-confessed pop girlie looking to take on not just the North, but the UK and who knows where else next.
We’ve been lucky enough to chat and create content with her on multiple occasions over the last few weeks, and we daren’t try and choose favourite tracks so early in her career, but we will shout out that EDM feature on ‘I’ll Come Back To You’ by Rameses B. Give her a go and thank us later.
2. The Coral
Now, as always with these monthly listicles, it isn’t necessarily always up-and-coming artists that focus on; so long as there’s new music or new discoveries being made, and we’re more than over the moon to tell you that Northern cult favourites The Coral have released their 13th studio album – and it’s great.
The Merseyside five-piece have returned with what may have just become our new go-to summer soundtrack for 2026. The opener ‘Let The Music Play’ is a great introduction to this latest rocksteady style, as is ‘Ride That Train’ – and ‘Leave It In The Past’, actually…
Just listen to the whole thing.
We’re delighted that our brand new album ‘388’ is OUT NOW, recorded live in the studio to a Tascam 388 tape machine.
— The Coral (@thecoralband) May 21, 2026
Go to https://t.co/GapfexdM0D to hear it, purchase vinyl, CD and tape cassette editions, and watch the video to first track ‘Let The Music Play’ #388 pic.twitter.com/FX2VmTDZpO
3. Safeguard
One of all the ‘alt kids’ among the audience, Safeguard are a fast-growing, no-nonsense pop-punk outfit from Leeds, and they’ve got all the grit you’d expect from a Yorkshire band, only with those obvious noughties and 2010s American influences.
They’re actually coming up on a decade together, but now they’re gaining some real ground. If you like early Story So Far or Neck Deep, you’ll get on just fine with this lot, and as for recommendations, start nice and easy with ‘Sweetpea’ or ‘You Will Reappear’ and work your way backwards to ‘Harbour’ etc.
@safeguardmusic I hear your voice on a constant replay in my mind #emomusic #poppunkmusic #griefjourney #emo #poppunk ♬ original sound – Safeguard
4. The Royston Club
Second from last this month, we’re going for the ever-rising Royston Club, who hail from just across the border in Wrexham – with an English contingent, mind you – and are absolutely nailing it on the indie rock scene at the moment. We’ve seen them before, but our recent live experience has left us obsessed.
We were left pretty blown away by the energy they brought to the party this late May bank holiday at NBHD Weekender 2026 (full review HERE), and you can tell that they’ve stepped up a level in almost every aspect. ‘Shivers’, ’52’ and, of course, ‘Cariad’ – simple as.
5. The Rosadocs
Last but not least for this new format, we’re shouting Sheffield underdogs, The Rosadocs, who have remained largely under the radar but deserve much more, as far as we’re concerned. Striking a similar balance between alt-rock and indie, these lads have a great sense of drama about them to our ears.
Notably, Keelan Graney’s vocals range somewhere between fellow Yorkshireman Alex Turner and Frank Carter, only maybe with a little bit more pitch, bravado and almost Scottish twang (?), somehow. Our first track was ‘No.54’, but ‘Cross To Bear’ is a beautiful ballad, and ‘Stand Alone’ is fit for festival crowds.
Read more:
- Neighbourhood Weekender confirmed for return in 2027 after standout year
- Audio North‘s Artist of the Month: Holly Rolfe – Pop girlie builds her ideal stage outfit
- Five Manchester artists we’ve been listening to this month | February 2026
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Featured Images — The Manc Group
