Chappell Roan has been named the winner of BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2025 poll, an annual accolade that highlights rising artists predicted to achieve mainstream success. The 26-year-old pop sensation, born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, was chosen by a panel of over 180 music industry insiders and artists, including global stars Dua Lipa and Elton John.
Roan (Island Records) edged out strong competition from jazz group Ezra Collective (Partisan Records), who came second, as well as Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune), Myles Smith (RCA), and Mercury Prize winners English Teacher (Island).
A Breakthrough Year
The recognition caps a stellar 12 months for Roan, whose single “Good Luck, Babe!” peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September, five months after its initial release. Her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, climbing to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in August 2023.
In addition to topping the charts, Roan claimed the Billboard Music Award for top new artist and received six Grammy nominations, including nods in all of the Big Four categories (Album, Song, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist). Her world tour drew record-breaking festival crowds, further cementing her status as a global star.
Festival Headlining Spots
Looking ahead, Roan is set to dominate the 2025 festival circuit. She will headline:
Primavera Sound (Barcelona, June 5-7) alongside Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter.
Reading & Leeds Festival (England, Aug. 21-24), co-headlining with Hozier.
Øya Festival (Oslo), Sziget (Budapest), and Rock In Seine (Paris).
Industry Acclaim
BBC Radio 1 DJ Jack Saunders praised Roan, calling her “the most exciting artist of the last 12 months.” He added, “2025 is your year! The success is all her own doing: standing tall in the face of the doubters and keeping her community close to fuel the energy of her shows and musical movements.”
Prestigious Recognition
The BBC Radio 1 Sound of poll has a history of predicting the next big stars in music. Previous winners include Adele (2008), Sam Smith (2013), and Florence + The Machine (2009). Last year, baroque-pop band The Last Dinner Party took the top spot.
The 2025 longlist, unveiled in November, featured 11 acts, including Kneecap, Mk.gee, Doechii, Confidence Man, Pozer, and Good Neighbours.
With a blend of chart-topping hits, critical acclaim, and a growing global fanbase, Chappell Roan is poised to take 2025 by storm.
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