Alfie Templeman longlisted for BBC Music's Sound of 2021

The longlist for BBC Music Sound of 2021 has been unveiled, tipping ten new artists for success next year, with 17 year old multi-instrumentalist and producer Alfie Templeman amongst those names listed.

This year’s longlist has been chosen by a panel of industry experts and alumni artists including Billie Eilish, Stormzy, Jorja Smith, Wolf Alice, AJ Tracey, YUNGBLUD, Foals, and Charli XCX. Last year Celeste was crowned the winner ahead of a strong longlist featuring the likes of YUNGBLUD, Arlo Parks and Beabadoobee. Artists named on the list over the years include Stormzy, Adele, Sam Smith, Lady Gaga, Foals, Dizzee Rascal and Lewis Capaldi.

Rising star Templeman’s riotous current single ‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough’ was a Hottest Record in the World for Annie Mac (his third in a row), before being crowned Greg James’ Tune Of The Week on BBC Radio 1, eventually landing on the station’s playlist (where it currently sits on the B List) following adds for previous singles ‘Happiness In Liquid Form’ and ‘Obvious Guy’. Templeman has also been confirmed to perform on Top Of The Pops this New Year’s Eve. And to add to everything else, Templeman’s additional date on his spring 2021 debut headline tour, at London’s Camden Assembly on 3 May, has now sold out - having sold out the first date (4 May) in a matter of hours. Remaining tickets for Templeman’s headline tour are on general sale now and available HERE.

2020 has proved a breakthrough year for Alfie Templeman; recently revealed as one of the artists featured on the soundtrack to FIFA 21, he also graced the front cover of Dork Magazine’s October issue, with further features in Loud And Quiet, Notion and The Telegraph. Templeman has also just surpassed the 50,000,000 cumulative streams mark across his releases and has over 1,000,000 monthly listeners, cementing his position as UK indie’s brightest light and most meteoric risers in recent memory. Aside from BBC Radio 1 (where he has amassed over 200 plays), Bedfordshire-born Templeman has enjoyed support from BBC Radio 2, BBC 5Live, BBC Radio 6 Music, Radio X (where he is currently on the daytime playlist), Beats 1, and more, helping to grow his global fanbase past the 100k mark on Instagram since his first post in 2019 alone. Triple J in Australia have also been hugely supportive: ‘Happiness In Liquid Form’, ‘Things I Thought Were Mine’ and ‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough’ were all daytime playlisted, and ‘TITWM’ was the #1 most played track on the network in August.

With further Ones to watch tips coming from Amazon, MTV and Vevo, 2021 looks even brighter for the hugely talented teen.

Praise for Alfie Templeman’s Happiness In Liquid Form EP

“Gloriously eclectic and infused with unstoppable fun, this is his ‘moment’”

Dork 5*

“Bursting with indie-pop goodness, happiness in aural form”

DIY 4*

“An eclectic and poptastic EP that sees the 17-year-old Bedfordshire singer/songwriter sounding bigger, bolder and brighter”

NME 4*

“prime provider of a soundtrack for a socially distanced summer”

The London Evening Standard

“This Bedfordshire lad serves up sweet and easy pop with a solid groove and a light heart”

 The Observer

“Sugary indie-pop for the summer we should all be having”

The Forty-Five

“The teenager has tapped into something incredibly endearing”

Glass Magazine

“Alfie Templeman continues his reign over the indie landscape”

The Line Of Best Fit

“The prodigal songwriter has a knack for unleashing superb indie bangers”

CLASH

“Underlying odes to disco, expect guitars that release a chasm of colour and an irresistible bass line”

Gigwise

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