**Round Table**
**The Great 2025 Debate**
What’s In and Out for 2026? Esteemed DIY artists share their insights.
Honestly, we can’t imagine a better way to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome the new year than by bringing together a group of DIY favorites to set the record straight. This past year has seen reunions (we're looking at you, Oasis, Pulp, The Maccabees), quirky bag accessories (even your grandmother knows the term ‘labubu’), CEO scandal revelations (thanks, Chris Martin), and a certain other round table game show (justice for Joe Marler!). So, what can we expect from the year ahead? Here, our expert panelists - Nova Twins, Gretel, Matt Marcantonio of Demob Happy, and Felix Mackenzie-Barrow of Divorce - share their thoughts on what’s In and Out for 2026.
**In: Putting in Effort**
Felix Mackenzie-Barrow: I don't know about anyone else, but after I finish a song, I often feel like I’ll never write another one. But I never want to lose that fear.
Amy Love: You really do think: ‘how did I do that? Where did that come from?’
Matt Marcantonio: Not that I have firsthand experience, but it feels like giving birth, doesn't it? Every time, you forget how painful it is. That’s what finishing a record feels like for me!
Georgia South: I'm glad we can all admit that writing an album is tough! Some people say, ‘I love writing a song every day’...
Amy: Oh, forget those people!
Matt: Exactly, that's nonsense; it's romanticized nonsense. Writing isn’t easy for anyone, and it shouldn’t be. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.
**In: Dancing Unreservedly**
Felix: I think our performance at Green Man was possibly the best show we’ve ever done. We were so nervous that no one would show up since we played in a larger tent than usual, but it was packed, and the audience was singing along. Then a kid jumped on stage to dance - his dad might work for the venue or something - and really got the crowd energized.
Matt: So he’s an industry insider?
**In: Living in the Moment**
Georgia: We released our third album this year! Writing and producing it was a challenge, so it was wonderful to see it breathe and grow outside of our minds… the tour expanded it into a whole new experience, which was really special.
Amy: You can spend ages chasing an unattainable end goal in music, but now we’re able to slow down and appreciate the little moments. Music demands so much and requires sacrifice, but taking a step back to enjoy both music and life has been a highlight.
**“Music demands everything, but slowing down to enjoy it - both in music and in life - has been such a highlight.”**
— Amy Love
**In: Mosh Pits Mainstream**
Gretel: I hadn’t really experienced a more metal show until I saw The Smashing Pumpkins at Gunnersbury Park, and it was incredible.
Amy: Heavy music never disappeared; it just didn’t receive the same support it once did. It’s wonderful to see that commercial backing is allowing more people to enjoy and experience this genre. We have attendees say, ‘this is my first heavy concert’ or ‘this is my first mosh pit, and I loved it!’. I believe many more would venture into it if it were better supported. It’s exciting to see artists like Turnstile gaining recognition; people sometimes take time to catch up!
Gretel: I wonder if post-COVID culture is still catching up… people are so glued to their phones that they might be tired of experiencing life through screens. When they come to a concert and see us rocking out or jumping into a mosh pit, they realize how much more enjoyable it is. So, it’s nice to see that gaining prominence.
**In: Real-Life Community**
Amy: Around our campaign, we initiated free events with our core audience - whether it was a night designing shoes or making t-shirts, it was incredibly fulfilling, as it was all happening in real-time. We wanted genuine interaction, not just a vacant connection through screens.
Georgia: Smaller towns offer that sense of community since there are fewer choices, allowing you to develop friendships and connections, which is really special.
Felix: Absolutely, I grew up in Derby, which wasn’t the trendiest place to be, and I wanted to move to London as soon as possible. But in London, there’s almost too much to choose from. Perhaps something that’s In for 2026 is the idea of scarcity [of choice]. Just choose a café and keep going there
She’s responding to any critics with assurance, charm, and elegance.
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What's In and Out for 2026? Renowned DIY artists share their opinions.