uk pop punk bands new underground emerging artists dude trips, bronnie, royals, a few too many
[Photos via Dude Trips/Spotify, Bronnie/Spotify, Royals/Spotify, A Few Too Many/Spotify]

10 rising UK-based pop-punk bands you need to hear

You don’t have to look far to see U.K. bands making waves in the pop-punk scene. Groups such as Boston Manor, Trash Boat and As It Is have all made significant contributions to the latest revival era. But what’s going on in the underground?

Quite a lot, as it turns out. And the beauty of the internet is that you don’t have to miss any of it, regardless of proximity. Read on to learn about some of our favorite emerging artists from the other side of the Atlantic. 

Read more: This brewery has beer inspired by some classic blink-182 songs

Be forewarned: You’re about to miss tours, especially the international variety, more than you already did. 

Dude Trips

HQ: Fraserburgh, Scotland
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CHECK OUT: “Tampa Bay,” “Sunday Club,” “Kit”

Coming to us by way of Fraserburgh, Scotland, Dude Trips rep pop punk with heart-wrenching emo lyrics to boot. The quartet released their debut album, Through Love & Death, You’re All I Have Left, last year, and we can’t rave about it enough. Friendly warning: You’re going to want to have a box of tissues handy.

Catch Fire

HQ: Nottingham, England
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CHECK OUT: “Stabbing Pains,” “Petrifaction,” “Wild Things”

Influenced by the likes of the Wonder Years and Citizen, Catch Fire bring Western pop-punk dynamics to the Nottingham scene. The four-piece released their first full-length, Karma Owes Me A Lifetime Of Happiness, via Rude Records in 2018. The record is sure to be a hit with any fan of 2000s pop punk, though it still feels fresh.

Royals

HQ: Southampton, England
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CHECK OUT: “Fair-Weather Friend,” “Out Of Reach,” “Me!”

Putting the “pop” in pop punk, Royals are dosing the genre with an extra shot of energy. Seriously, we challenge you to stream any of their upbeat, catchy tracks without compulsively bopping along. The band released their latest single, “Fair-Weather Friend,” this past June, and it’s essential for any modern pop-punk playlist.

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The Tuts

HQ: London, England
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CHECK OUT: “Dump Your Boyfriend,” “Con Man,” “Give Us Something Worth Voting For”

This isn’t your typical mid-2000s-reminiscent pop punk. The Tuts are bringing punk back to its anti-establishment roots with an added flair of bubblegum pop. These badass feminists are outspoken about social and political issues, especially those pertaining to inclusivity in the scene. They even denied an invitation to Eurovision 2019 on the basis of it being held in Israel. For some truly inspiring tracks, check out their debut album, Update Your Brain.

The Young Hearts

HQ: Kent, England
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CHECK OUT: “The Modern State,” “London,” “Old Familiar”

Big things are on the horizon for the Young Hearts. This year, the band signed with U.K. label Year Of The Rat Records and released a series of impressive singles. If you’re into raw energy and evocative lyrics, this act are truly a must-listen. Be sure to give them a follow so you don’t miss their debut album, The Modern State, when it drops Jan. 29.

Like Giants

HQ: Midlands region, England
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CHECK OUT: “The Poet,” “Beauty Queen,” “Cut And Run”

You can really only expect the best from a band who’ve toured with Hawthorne Heights, and Like Giants certainly deliver. The group burst onto the pop-punk scene last year with their debut EP, Sovereign. Now, having recently signed to Lost Island Entertainment, they’re showing no sign of slowing down. 

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Bronnie

HQ: Liverpool, England
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CHECK OUT: “Skeletons,” “R U The Same,” “Over You”

It’s only a matter of time before Bronnie explode into the mainstream scene, so here’s your opportunity to get ahead of the curve. The band have already landed on U.K. rock charts and shared stages with Neck Deep, WSTR and Can’t Swim. If you’re anything like us and can’t get enough of their eponymous vocalist, check out her radio show on KCC Live. Also, be sure to stream their latest track, “Skeletons.”

Misplaced

HQ: Glasgow, Scotland
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CHECK OUT: “idk why i try,” “Fate & Fairytales,” “Storyboard For A Pessimist”

Blurring the line between pop punk and Midwestern emo, Glasgow’s Misplaced seem just what their name implies. Really though, if we didn’t know any better, we may have guessed that they’d come up through Chicago. They’ve got a catalog that’ll have you bouncing around or crying depending on the track, so be prepared for all the moods. We recommend checking out their latest single, “idk why i try,” for maximum pop-punk effect. 

A Few Too Many

HQ: Cambridgeshire, England
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CHECK OUT: “Haze,” “Sunflower,” “Stay The Night”

Following the release of their 2019 single “Haze,” Cambridgeshire’s A Few Too Many have been taking the scene by storm. Self-described as being “born from the ashes” of MTV/Myspace-era pop punk, the band are modernizing our favorite classic vibes. You can presave their newest single, “Someday,” here

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Downcast UK

HQ: Bristol, England
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CHECK OUT: “catharsis,” “window seat,” “anthurium”

Both emo to the extremo (sorry) and pop punk as hell, Downcast UK have us wanting to dust off our old iPods just to load them onto it. All jokes aside, this band are a killer addition to any scene phase. With poetic lyrics and powerful, melodic instrumentals, they’ll hit you where it hurts and make you love every second of it. Don’t believe us? Just check out their latest single, “catharsis.”

Who are your favorite emerging artists in the U.K. pop-punk scene? Let us know in the comments!