The Midlands is well known for its iconic music scene, with an endless list of huge names from Ozzy Osbourne to Led Zeppelin.
Whilst other areas of the country, such as Manchester or London, tend to dominate the music conversation.
However, would you like the bragging rights of adding some new music to your playlist before it becomes mainstream?
Here are five unknown gems just waiting to be unearthed.
- Headwired
Headwired are a Midland-based indie rock band who have made waves over social media.
The group began going viral on TikTok in 2025 through their videos promoting their music.
Their most well-known song is Carrousel, with nearly 120,000 streams on Spotify, and they accumulate over 8000 monthly listeners on the platform.
Starting in 2023, the group have achiveved many notable things in such a short span of time, including playing at Lakefest with huge names such as The Libertines and Jake Bugg.
They have also been played on BBC Music Introducing, a platform for new and upcoming artists.
The band have supported many acts, such as Luka State, Spangled and Camens.
Previously, they have performed as the headline at the 02 Institute in Birmingham.
In the near future, the group are set to perform at Brierley Hill Civic Hall and are also going on a UK tour supporting Park Drive in Sheffield, London and Birmingham.
- The Viz
The Viz are an emerging indie rock band in Stafford and currently have nearly 500 monthly listeners.
The band’s biggest song is titled: “Here She Goes’” which currently sits at nearly 12,000 streams.
Another song, ‘Changes’, also featured on BBC Introducing and BBC Stoke.
The band have recently released their debut EP “What are you waiting for?” in November 2025.
The group have performed and sold out at many venues, including The Sugarmill, an iconic venue in Stoke-on-Trent.
They have also sold out at The Sunflower Lounge and Dead Wax in Birmingham, and the Mist Rolling Inn in Nottingham.
The group will be returning to both Birmingham venues later this year.
- Lydons
Lydons are an up-and-coming punk rock band out of the West Midlands.
Their most popular song is titled Tongue with over 20,000 streams, which has also been played on BBC Radio X.
The band currently has around 200 monthly listeners on Spotify, so this could be a great time to get in early and become a hardcore fan before they are unearthed by the wider punk rock community.
Throughout their time, they have been huge advocates of mental health.
The group became ambassadors for the Man Down Programme, which promotes the discussion of men’s mental health within the music industry.
The group have an upcoming support act with another band, Pastel, who have a gig in Birmingham.
- Mac Wood
Mac Wood is another indie rock artist, residing in Birmingham, with fewer than 100 monthly listeners.
Despite only debuting in May of last year with his single “The Times”, Â the young artist has still played at some big venues, including The Symphony Hall in Birmingham earlier this year at Battle of the Bands.
Wood’s latest release, “Sea”, in January 2026, has amassed around 1000 streams and has recently announced his upcoming debut EP “Anemoia”, and has been recently interviewed by Reyt Good Magazine (RGM)
He is also set to headline at Deadwax in Birmingham, Amersham Arms in Moseley and 93 Feet East in London.
- Charm
Lastly, there’s Charm, a 4-piece indie rock band formed in Birmingham in 2023.
The band get over 2000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
Their most-streamed song is titled “An Eye for an Eye” at nearly 25,000 streams.
Despite only being formed three years ago, the band have headlined at Deadwax, had their song “So Unknown” featured on BBC Introducing.
The band also played at The Isle of Wight Festival last year, as well as the 02 Institute.
Looking ahead for the band, they are set to play at the Bring the Noise Festival in Sheffield and the LePub show in Newport.
