• James Blake
• Anna Calvi
• Daley
• Esben & the Witch
• Jessie J
• Clare Maguire
• Mona
• The Naked & Famous
• Nero (pictured)
• Jai Paul
• The Vaccines
• Warpaint
• Jamie Woon
• Wretch 32
• Yuck

2010 saw something of a backlash towards journalists and their “tips” for greatness. Perhaps this was in response to the consensus’ inability to guess that Lady Gaga would end up 6,000,000 times bigger than #1 choice Little Boots, or their creation of the extremely sexist, “which one is better?” debate between Florence Welch, Little Boots and La Roux. This year, the number one choice took their time: Ellie Goulding seems to be just about a cemented pop star, largely thanks to her fairly tasteless Elton John cover. But others - The Drums and Marina and the Diamonds in particular - didn’t come close to reaching their predicted heights. The Drums close the year devoid of both their initial buzz and their guitarist. 

So who will the curse strike this year? One guesses it won’t be dubstep-producer-meets-soul-singer James Blake, whose gradual rise through EP releases this year has a lot of people in giddy expectation for his vocalised-pop debut. Jamie Woon, in similar circumstances and on the basis of my song of the year, ‘Night Air’, is also likely to receive rave reviews for his Burial-produced first album. One name in the above list that sticks out like a sore thumb however, is that of The Vaccines.

Already, album-less, they’ve been dismissed by cynics as talentless lads who got a lucky break. The media’s begun declaring 2011 the year of British based guitar music’s revival. They’re totally wrong. If anything, the biggest name this time next year from the list will be Nero. Dubstep will improve its relationship with the mainstream, dominating the charts, shunning out anyone who merely glances at a guitar. 

And although it’s said every year, this list should be taken with a pinch of salt. The above is more a collection of “bands we’ve enjoyed over the last 3/4 months who we think could get bigger” than anything else. Indeed, it’s impossible to guess who’ll spring out of nowhere, making a Tinie Tempah-esque rise up the charts. PR companies put much of the energy into campaigns towards the end of the year, but they continue to work their socks off from January onwards. I didn’t see many people tipping the likes of Twin Shadow and Janelle Monae as potential album of the year candidates this time last December. So don’t let this list define your taste - give the below a listen and keep your eye open for fresher faces. [JM]