8 unmissable performances from BBC Sound Of... stars
Every day this week on Radio 1 (beginning the 8th of January), Clara Amfo and Annie Mac are revealing the music stars who have made the Top 5 in the BBC's Sound Of 2018.
Since 2003 the BBC has been tipping new stars for success (Adele, Sean Paul, Foals, The Weeknd, Royal Blood and many more have been among the stars longlisted) and helping usher in new generations of talent for 15 years.
This year's longlist is a mix of hugely varied talents and we're sure some will become regulars in the Radio 1 Live Lounge during 2018. But before we get to this year's new crop of talent, here are 8 unmissable performances from some of the most successful stars we've tipped during the past decade.
Rag'n'Bone Man: Second in the Sound Of 2017
Rag'n'Bone Man had a hugely successful year in 2017, perhaps made all the sweeter for singer/songwriter Rory Graham having worked on music for several years before success came calling.
Since placing second in the BBC's Sound Of (urban star Ray BLK topped the poll) he has made several memorable appearances in Radio 1's Live Lounge. His Beyoncé cover was a particular highlight.
More recently he helped Radio 1 bring 2017 to a close with a festive Live Lounge performance of his single Grace, marking the end of his most successful year yet and the start of a huge career.
Alessia Cara: Second in the Sound Of 2016
Alessia Cara started 2016 with a huge buzz around her and during the two years since she has more than proven herself.
As well as scoring solo hits Here and Scars To Your Beautiful (big in the UK, massive in the US) she also teamed up with Zedd on his global hit Stay and Logic on his inspirational anti-suicide anthem 1-800-273-8255.
During her rise to fame she has covered Disclosure and Taylor Swift for Radio 1, along with performances of her own hits - including an acoustic version of Wild Things for The Radio 1 Breakfast Show.
Stormzy: Third in the Sound Of 2015
2015 was a stellar year for new music, with Years & Years and James Bay placing first and second in the year's Sound Of. Both have made a huge impact on pop music, but Stormzy has been one of the leading grime stars responsible for taking an underground genre successfully to the mainstream.
Not only has he scored huge hits with tracks such as Big For Your Boots and Shut Up, Stormzy has established himself as a passionate and political figure capable of inspiring young people across the UK.
First and foremost, he's an A-grade pop star. His spine-tingling performance of Blinded By Your Grace is a highlight from our 2017 Live Lounge sessions.
Sam Smith: Topped the Sound Of 2014
Sam Smith has been so successful since he was named Sound Of 2014, we needed to clear a whole theatre space to accommodate all that talent when he performed for Radio 1 in September 2017.
In a few short years, Mr Smith has become one of the biggest stars in the world and thanks to his intimate songwriting, we know more about his broken heart than we do some of our best mates.
Sam has performed for Radio 1 numerous times over the past few years, but his live version of Too Good At Goodbyes really marked how far this talented youngster had come since topping the BBC's Sound Of.
Haim: Topped the Sound Of 2013
Whether you love Haim for their singles (honestly, what would 2017 have been without Want You Back?), their spectacular live performances (no festival is complete without them on the line-up) or their staggering sense of cool, this is one band who inspire good feelings in people worldwide.
They brought some seriously good vibes to Radio 1 in 2017 with a Live Lounge session that included a performance of their hit Want You Back and a knockout cover of Selena Gomez's massive tune, Bar Liar.
Jessie J: Topped the Sound Of 2011
Arguably one of the biggest British female pop stars of the past decade, Jessie J's international career first kicked off when she was named BBC's Sound Of 2011.
Since then, she has been a bit of a BBC regular - performing several Live Lounges in her time, as well as appearing as a coach on The Voice for two series.
She returns in 2018 with her fourth album, R.O.S.E. We'll be glad to have 'that' voice back once again.
Ellie Goulding: Topped the Sound of 2010
Ahoy there global superstar Ellie Goulding. This Hereford singer has come a very long way in the seven years since she was named the BBC's Sound Of 2010.
Lights, Burn and most notably Love Me Like You Do have secured her place as one of the UK's A list stars and a spot in Taylor Swift's inner circle. She was one of the many stars to appear in her rivalry-inspired video, Bad Blood, wielding a massive bazooka.
Now officially on 'downtime' between albums, Ellie made a very special appearance in the Radio 1 Live Lounge in 2016 with producer Kygo for a performance of their collaboration, First Time.
Florence + The Machine: Third in the Sound Of 2009
Like Sam Smith, when Florence performs for Radio 1, we clear the room. And we make sure it's a big room at that.
She has sold millions of albums worldwide and headlined some of the world's biggest festivals (Glastonbury 2015 anyone?) but she's still not above covering Justin Bieber hits for Radio 1. She performed a spectacular version of his Jack Ü collaboration, Where Are You Now, in 2016.
Florence topped the BBC's Sound Of 2009, in a year full of electropop stars such as La Roux, Little Boots, Empire Of The Sun and another rather successful female star, Lady Gaga.
