What to expect from music in 2018

BBC Music Introducing presenter Abbie McCarthy picks some major events to look out for, from future album releases to major awards shows

Fans are hoping for new music from Rihanna this year (Getty)

A New Year means new music, of course, but what exactly lies ahead? Will Big Shaq manage to stay not hot, will the Latin music reign continue, and who will take on this year’s Bond theme? So many questions! Here are a few predictions of what to look out for in 2018...

Albums

Arctic Monkeys

Artists excitingly confirmed to be returning with new LPs this year are indie rock favourites Arctic Monkeys, The 1975 with their third record ‘Music For Cars’ and Justin Timberlake is back soon with his first album since 2013's The 20/20 Experience: Man of the Woods.

Other strong rumours include the return of the mighty Kanye West. He recently tweeted that Turbo Grafx 16 was the current name of the new LP, but his last record The Life Of Pablo went through many a name change before it got unleashed into the world, so it may not stay that way. Regardless, we know is a new album from Kanye is always a very exciting prospect.

We also hope that 2018 is the year we get a new Ri-Ri full length. After being the most streamed female of the last 12 months (despite not releasing an album), the world is definitely ready and waiting. There are also whispers of new music on the way from Beyonce.

Some truly brilliant new talent swooped into the public consciousness in 2017 and we can’t wait to hear bodies of work from them, the likes of Jorja Smith, Sigrid and Superorganism to name but a few.

Awards season

Jorja Smith with the Critics' Choice Award 2018 (PA)

We're holding our breath ahead of the Grammys where it looks like Kendrick Lamar may finally get his Album of the Year, for DAMN., while Jay Z, Bruno Mars, Lorde and Childish Gambino also look set to take home a few trophies on 28 January.

The house that tumbled off stage during Katy Perry’s set at the Brits last year has finally recovered from its injuries, just in time for us to look ahead to the nominations launch next week and this year’s ceremony in February.

Will Ed Sheeran clean up at the Brit awards? Or will UK grime, rap and hip hop continue its meteoric rise and finally achieve the accolades it deserves? I’m definitely putting my money on Liam Gallagher for best acceptance speech if he takes home Best Male. Watch this space, all will be revealed on February 21st 2018…

The Latin Takeover

The Top 5 most watched videos of 2017 on Vevo were all by Latin artists: Luis Fonsi, Shakira, J.Balvin, Maluma and CNCO and of course Camila Cabello’s "Havana", which was lodged in everyone’s brain for months.

The underlying reggaetón beat has ingrained itself into modern pop music, so I’m sure there will be plenty more mammoth hits over the course of this year.

Fans are still holding out for an Oasis reunion

According to Liam’s Twitter, himself and his previously estranged brother Noel appear to have made up and are "all good again" - although he's still making digs about Noel's lack of Brit Award nominations. Maybe they’ll let all their issues Slide Away this year so they can headline Glastonbury in 2019?

Rise of the boy band

K-pop group BTS accepts the prize for Top Social Artist at the Billboard Music Awards (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

There’s still a huge 1D shaped hole in all of our lives but this year you might just find your new favourite boy band. The fan army of South Korean superstars BTS is multiplying at a rapid rate, CNCO are enjoying a new audience thanks to their Little Mix collaboration, and there are two other big potential pop acts on the horizon: Simon Cowell’s latest Syco project PRETTYMUCH and American 5 piece Why Don’t We?

Bond, James Bond

Related video: Bodyguard's Richard Madden backed for Bond (Getty)

Daniel Craig has agreed to stay on as James Bond for next year’s film but who will be the chosen one to conquer the coveted Bond theme and follow in the footsteps of Sam Smith and Adele? Taking your bets…

Brighton rockers Royal Blood could supply a dark, riff-filled anthem, while Paloma Faith could channel an old school classic. The challenge could also be taken up by one of Britain’s best & biggest voices - Rag ‘N’ Bone Man? Not to mention Ed Sheeran, who has threatened/hinted that he already has a Bond theme up his sleeve should Hollywood come calling...

Abbie McCarthy is on Twitter @AbbieAbbiemac

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