The Next Wave (Part II): 8 Emerging Acts Stealing the Spotlight in 2026 

CONE highlights eight emerging alternative acts shaping 2026 across post-hardcore to experimental rock.

We’re past the halfway mark of the year, summer is in full swing, and new faces are taking the stage. And alternative music feels more exciting than it has in years.  At the beginning of 2026, we introduced seven alternative acts to watch, including Butch Kassidy, Blessing Jolie, and Concrete Vehicles. Now, as those projects […]

How Ill Peach Turned Grief into New Beginnings on ‘EAVESDROPPING’

CONE interview ill peach on their latest album Eavesdropping.

From futuristic synths to joyous guitar hooks and emotionally penned lyrics, Los Angeles trio ill peach have mastered the craft of whimsical indie pop perfectly. Releasing their first body of work in the height of the global pandemic, 2021’s EXCUSE US WHILE WE FIND OUR MINDS offered a glimpse into the playful and witty world […]

David Bowie Uncovered: Inside A Raw Collection of Unreleased Footage 

CONE covers Bowie Nights: Behind the Lens event at London's lightroom.

It’s been 10 years since David Bowie passed away in 2016. A beloved musician, actor, and activist — these are just a few of the titles the world associated him with. But above all, he was a visionary of the arts. One who unapologetically challenged the conventional and embraced every facet of who he was.  […]

The Great Escape: Celebrating 20 Years of the Next Wave of Artists

CONE covers The Great Escape Festival 2026 celebrating 20 years of supporting indie artists and showcasing breakthrough live performances in Brighton.

This year, Brighton’s biggest city festival, The Great Escape (TGE), celebrated its 20th anniversary. Over the years, the four-day concert has become a crucial platform for emerging artists, often launching them to commercial success. Past alumni include established acts like Vampire Weekend, SBTRKT, The XX and many others. Today, TGE remains one of the most […]

Silent Heroes: The Forgotten Women Pioneers Who Changed Film Forever

CONE highlights women pioneers who shaped cinema.

The last few years have seen more women at the forefront of cinema. Greta Gerwig marked a real shift for women in 2023 with her adaptation of Barbie, starring Margot Robbie. Kristen Stewart, once a teen sensation, stepped behind the camera, directing movies like Boygenius: The Film (2023) and The Chronology of Water (2025). And […]

Top 5 Indie Festival Showcases You Don’t Want to Miss in 2026

CONE reveals the top festival showcases to attend in 2026.

There’s no denying that festival season is one of the most electric stretches of the year.  You spend endless days camping in a field, soaking up the sun or drowning in the rain, watching your favorite artists with close friends pressed against the barrier beside you. It’s a deeply connecting moment, one that often enhances […]

Club Venues Aren’t Dead: A Look at London’s Newly Refurbished Ministry of Sound 

CONE covers Ministry of Sound's reopening in London.

For the last 35 years, London’s Ministry of Sound (MOS) has been a catalyst for dance music. Since founder Justin Berkmann first opened its London doors in 1991, the venue has championed all walks of dance music, from kaleidoscopic house to techno-colored techno and trance-inducing drum and bass. On Thursday, February 26, the venue re-opened […]

Album Review: Angel Du$t, ‘COLD 2 THE TOUCH’

Angel Dust's album cover for COLD 2 THE Touch, featured in CONE's album review.

Right now, the hardcore scene is having a moment. Bands like Turnstile, SPEED, and Guilt Trip are bursting with talent, tearing it up with new approaches to the subgenre. But one band has stolen the spotlight.  Angel Du$t aren’t new on the scene, and calling them just hardcore misses the point. But it’s been two […]

7 Indie Rom-Coms That’ll Make You Weep, Cackle, or Green with Envy

Collage of indie rom-coms for CONE's Valentine's Day list.

Nothing says “I love you” more than watching a rom-com on Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re celebrating with your partner or your best friend, Aussie pop singer John Paul Young’s lyrics hold true: “love is in the air.” And that applies to both romantic and platonic arrangements. To celebrate the month of love, CONE has compiled […]

Independent Venue Week 2026: Where Would Live Music Be Without Grassroots Spaces? 

CONE covers Independent Venue Week 2026.

Independent Venue Week returned for its 12th consecutive run in January 2026. Celebrating music from across the globe, from small, emerging talent, to trailblazers, the industry can’t get enough of. Independent Venue Week is a week-long incentive championing the power of community by celebrating independent, DIY businesses in the music industry. This year, 236 venues […]