Posted June 8Jun 8 It can feel like there are one or two "here today, gone tomorrow" underdressed, "authentic" and rather Ordinary acoustic guitar-wielding, streaming-dominating blokes every year or who are quickly replaced after twelve months with their successors, so I thought I'd compile this list of almost-identical Sheeranseque guys that have been big for a while over the past 14 years or so before everybody moved onto the next Tattooed Tom, admittedly including some who are hot right now but unlikely to be dominating the chart scene in three years, nevermind ten. I accept a few do stick around for a bit longer, like the guy who wants a party on the day that he dies. Also Hozier, who made a dramatic return to the chart scene etc. Here we go! Have I missed any? Alex WarrenBenson BooneCalum ScottCian DucrotDermot KennedyGeorge EzraHozierJamie LawsonJames ArthurJames BayJP CooperLewis CapaldiMyles SmithMichael MarcagiNoah KahanPassengerRag’n’Bone ManTom GrennanTom OdellTom Walker Edited June 9Jun 9 by HiyaLuv!
June 9Jun 9 Author Surely 'Worst topic in all of BuzzJack’s history' is some sort of an achievement so I'll take that. People on here DO get tired of these samey bland acoustic blokes ruling the charts and airwaves for months on end and this would be a good thread for people to vent about it, without changing anything. And why should it be deleted just because you don't like it? Sounds a bit entitled to me, like someone clicking their fingers in a restaurant. I completely fail to see why this isn't a valid topic, thought this was supposed to be a place for discussion around big pop music trends. Edited June 9Jun 9 by HiyaLuv!
June 9Jun 9 I don't think everyone in the list fits the description. Benson and Tom Odell are both piano players rather than acoustic guitars, and I'd say Benson's position in the industry is more similar to Shawn Mendes than Ed Sheeran.Similarly, Noah Kahan seemed to kickstart his own trend of folk-pop in the mainstream, which the likes of Myles Smith and Alex Warren have been riding off.That's before you compare how their music actually sounds. Hozier and Tom Grennan aren't similar at all but they're being tarred with the same brush for... reasons I don't really get.
June 9Jun 9 please take Hozier out of your list :/ he's been going on strong for 12 years now lol how does it fit your they last one album thing.also Tom Odell? 1) he's piano not guitar, 2) going on since 2012, 3) about to release album 7 so yes last more than 1 album lol
June 9Jun 9 Isn't this list just a catch-all of male artists who have made pop-flavoured music that's primarily adult-oriented over the last 5-10 years or so?(and also more of a Music Lounge thing, perhaps)
June 9Jun 9 Interesting thread. I definitely feel like Ed led a resurgence, although the man himself was inspired by my favourite singer, Damien Rice
June 10Jun 10 Author Ironically, I quite like Gold by Myles Smith. Though feel he missed a trick by not releasing it later in the year as it has a very autumnal/festive feel to it. Most of these guys have at least one track I don't mind tbh!
June 10Jun 10 Was just looking at 2013 charts for nostalgia there and rediscovered Ben Howard for this thread. Edited June 10Jun 10 by TheSnake
June 10Jun 10 48 minutes ago, TheSnake said:Ben Howarda bit unfair to classify him as post-Sheeran, they both broke out in 2011
June 11Jun 11 Author I refused to include Ben Howard in this list because he's pretty much a genius compared to the ones I did opt for as well as starting around the same time. And his music is too complex/not bland enough.Feels like he realised he was being put in that bracket and changed direction immediately after his BRITS win. If only they all had the talent and creativity of Ben Howard! Edited June 11Jun 11 by HiyaLuv!
June 11Jun 11 Author On 09/06/2025 at 07:03, JosephBoone said:I don't think everyone in the list fits the description. Benson and Tom Odell are both piano players rather than acoustic guitars, and I'd say Benson's position in the industry is more similar to Shawn Mendes than Ed Sheeran.Similarly, Noah Kahan seemed to kickstart his own trend of folk-pop in the mainstream, which the likes of Myles Smith and Alex Warren have been riding off.That's before you compare how their music actually sounds. Hozier and Tom Grennan aren't similar at all but they're being tarred with the same brush for... reasons I don't really get.Maybe I should have said 'beige' instead of 'acoustic'.
June 11Jun 11 Author Anyway, I respect other people's opinions and one man's 'beige' is another man's 'powerful timeless songwriting'. There has definitely been a trend though over the past 15 years, and there's no doubt it was well underway before, only the blokes were called James* rather than Tom. I'm sorry if I've insulted anybody's heartfelt solo bloke favourites, but there's definitely a pattern of their music being omnipresent, the same basic chord sequences over and over, the melodies and lyrics only changing slightly and them quickly being replaced after a few years with virtually identical chaps with or without growly voices doing largely the same thing. I suppose you could call it 'landfill beige'. Can feel like they're taking up the space bands used to fill!*Blaming Oasis/Snow Patrol/Coldplay and even Radiohead for the plodding ballad 'James' thing. Actually, I suppose we could even point the finger at The Beatles and Hey Jude if we went back far enough. Edited June 11Jun 11 by HiyaLuv!
June 11Jun 11 Yeah the earlier Jameses, Blunt and Morrison indeed! At the time I thought James Morrison kind of copied Ray LaMontagne's voice!Don't know much about Ben Howard apart from his two most well known tracks, sorry if including him in this thread upset anybody! Edited June 11Jun 11 by TheSnake
June 11Jun 11 There was, and to a certain extent still is, a trend.I guess there always is.Boy bands in the 90sGirl bands after Spice Girls To a degree it feels like more female solo acts are pushing through at the moment.I guess labels want to capitalise on what is seen as popular at the time.Ed no doubt inspired many a "guy with guitar" to audition for X Factor and BGT.
June 11Jun 11 35 minutes ago, ChrisJK said:There was, and to a certain extent still is, a trend.I guess there always is.Boy bands in the 90sGirl bands after Spice GirlsTo a degree it feels like more female solo acts are pushing through at the moment.I guess labels want to capitalise on what is seen as popular at the time.Ed no doubt inspired many a "guy with guitar" to audition for X Factor and BGT.I remember for quite a while after Amy Winehouse's breakthrough, labels were pushing clones of her.
June 11Jun 11 Not sure if I am helping or harming this thread, but some names not in the opening thread that may fit the description from some of the Now compilations and other charted songs released over the years (some names I don't even remember how they sound or what genre they were);Alec BenjaminAlex DayArizona ZervasBen HowardCharlie BrownClinton KaneConan Grayd4vdDavid KushnerDean LewisDjoDominic FikeEylar FoxJack GarratJack SavorettiJake BuggJames TWJason MrazJoel AdamsJojiJP SaxeJVKERhys LewisRitt MomneySam FischersombrSteve LacyVance JoyReady for some missiles to be fired in my direction for these names! 😄
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