We’re sat with Oli Sykes in a cave in Malta – yes, a literal cave – which couldn’t be any more on-brand for the Bring Me The Horizon frontman. It’s late afternoon and the Sheffield band are gearing up for a set jam-packed with throwback hits and special guests – with Spiritbox, Beartooth, Malevolence and more all ready to be let loose for a night to remember.
By this point, a killer show is second nature to the genre-defying giants, with thousands of fans piling into the island to catch Horizon at their absolute live peak. Oli grins with pride and calls it a “testament” to the thriving scene. And, as Bring Me continue as flag-bearers of reimagined, mashed up 'future emo', we catch up with the singer to hear his thoughts on his favourite artists right now, where he thinks alternative music is going, and much more…
We’re seeing a mammoth number of new alternative artists coming up at the minute. Do you have any particular favourites?
“Willow Kayne is someone I've listened to a lot and I feel like she could get really big. I think she's very unique and it's got a really cool style. She's standing on her own and being herself. There are a lot of female artists and there's a lot of competition at the moment and I think it's really hard. It's not even just female artists, but, with music in general, it's really easy to say there's a scene of music here like hyperpop or alternative, and it's really easy to blend into that world and not stand out. But Willow Kayne feels like the one to watch.
“Softcult, too, I've listened to their Spit It Out song on repeat. I listen to it once a day at the moment. I don't know much about them, but I've been listening to that. I’ve really liked every song of theirs that I’ve got.
“Also, there's a guy called Kent Osborne, who has got a hyperpop element but it's more trap and emo rap that runs through it. I really like all that kind of sound at the moment. He's definitely one to watch. He's really cool.”
