If you’re looking for your next artist obsession, you’ve come to the right place. We here at idobi Radio know a thing or two about the best underground artists and acts on the rise, and we know you’ll adore these artists who might just be the next big things. From indie-rockers Dogpark to pop-punk trio mode., your 2026 will be better with these artists to watch.
Dogpark
2026 is the year of indie sleaze revival, we’re calling it now. And there is no better band fronting this new chapter in the genre than Dogpark. The East Coast quartet combines fuzzy indie rock grit with lyrics that pull no punches. In 2025, the act revealed singles such as “75$72,” “September,” and “I Don’t Mind,” railing against standard corporate structures and failing systems. Dogpark offers the perfect soundtrack to a world full of flaws, using their sonics to gain your undivided attention and keeping you with their insightful lyrics. We can’t wait to see what Dogpark is cooking up for the new year! — Maria Serra
Pretoria
Breezy indie and pop-tinged bops abound throughout Pretoria‘s discography. Their offerings, especially 2025’s “Emerson, Everywhere,” are instant pick-me-ups. The Midwest act just dropped their If We’re Pretending EP in June 2025, brimming with a delectable combo of surf-rock-tinged guitar licks, gritty DIY riffs, and bright vocals. It is impossible not to instantly fall in love with this group. Our fingers are crossed for news of their sophomore LP, preceded by their 2023 debut album Where Will The Night Take Us?. — Maria Serra
chokecherry
Iconic duo Izzie Clark and Scarlett Levinson, aka chokecherry, just released their debut LP, Ripe Fruit Rots and Falls, in November via Fearless Records, and it’s setting the stage for a “fruitful” career. The artists are making utterly ethereal shoegaze indie tunes that pair well with hot girl walks, driving with the windows down, main character mantras, alone time at your fave cafe, and the like. Basically, the vibes are immaculate when listening to chokecherry, which is exactly the energy we need in 2026. — Maria Serra
mode.
For fans of acts like Microwave and Heart Attack Man, mode. needs to be on your radar. Gritty, laid-back instrumentation, with effortless, humorous lyricism, the band is simply having a damn good time. Their tunes have all the feel-good vibes of early 2000s pop-rock paired with modern ideas and earnest complaints. Their track “Peach Ring Gummy” is an absolute must-hear. mode. is a brand new band, still finding their footing in the music scene, but it is just a matter of time before they get the flowers they deserve. —Tate Logan
Girl Tones
TK — Paige Owens
