Best New England Emerging Artists 2017: The Deli’s Poll Results

Dear Deli Readers,

We have finally reached the end of the road for The Deli’s Best Emerging New England Artists Poll. As usual, it’s been a lengthy, exhausting, painstaking journey through an abundance of numbers, band names, and some seriously rad tunes. Now, before we get to our list of this year’s Top Performers, we would like to thank our wonderful, knowledgeable jury of local music experts/enthusiasts (which you can view below), dedicated Deli writers and all those who took the time to check out our nominees and cast their votes. You’re the best, and we wouldn’t be able to do this without you!

1. Crumb is an outfit that takes the pleasantly dissonant atmosphere of smooth jazz and molds it into psych rock masterpieces. Their songs glide along steady pace, revealing highly skilled instrumentation without abandoning the groove. There are long stretches of jam that prove remiscent of classic indie rockers like Lotus Plaza, but there are moments of unbridled wierdness and pure chaos, sprinkled in to add some spice to the psychedelic sonic brew. Crumb is the new must listen for psych fans in New England.

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2. XR Tabs is a band to which it’s nearly impossible to assign a definitive genre. Their work contains elements of experimental noise rock, post-punk, indie rock, and electronica. They traverse unclaimed musical territory almost as a rule, making listening a wholly unexpected experience.

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3. Pompo is an alt rock band that blends elements of funk and blues to create a hybrid, modern alternative rock sound. With lengthy, funk jams that serve as an instant reminder of early Red Hot Chili Peppers, they’ve honed a classic sound and made it their own.

4. Frank Viele

5. Honeysuckle

6. Moment of Clarity

7. Ripe

8. oldsoul

9. The Black Kennedys

10. Wolfmen of Mars

11. Kal Marks

12. The Right Offs

13. Choke Up

14. Ryxno

15. Tigerman WOAH