Guitar Bands are Dead! Guitar Bands are Back!

WORDS BY CHARLIE GLADSTONE
PHOTO BY ARRAN CROSS

In common with lots of people of my age, I no longer know or care about the singles charts. That seemed inconceivable at one point; I mean, when I was a nipper, everyone watched Top of the Pops, and the Sunday evening chart show was a national institution. And if your favourite band made it to Number 1 it felt like your football team had just scored.

And at Number 1. The Jam.

YESSSSSS!

But one thing that did strike me as interesting last year was how few bands ever make it to Number 1 in the singles charts today. Instead, it’s solo acts and DJs. 

Between 1980 and ’85, bands spent 146 weeks at the peak of the charts, and in the first five years of the ‘90s it was 141 weeks. But in the first five years of the 2020s, it was 3 weeks. One of those was the Beatles, one was Little Mix (is that a band?) and one was some grim Radio 1 confection called The Live Lounge Allstars.

And yet, the British act of 2025 was definitely Oasis, a singles band if ever there was one. And I’m pretty sure that this is going to inspire a generation of young kids to make guitar records again. I hope so. And, in turn, the A&R people who hunt as a pack (guilty; I was one) will sign them. 

There are some young(ish) bands that are pretty great, one of which will have a number 1 single in 2026, I think. 

Anyone want a bet?

Either way, all bodes well. Here’s a list of those to check out.

In no particular order:

Nation of Language
Geese
Night Tapes
The Last Dinner Party
IDLES
Fontaines DC
Wunderhorse
caroline
Dry Cleaning