Top 10 UK Music Blogs
Last Updated 10/01/2018
The winner of the Best Arts & Entertainment Blog at the Vuelio Blog Awards 2017, That Grape Juice shoots straight to the top of the Music ranking. That Grape Juice was set up by Sam A in 2007 when he was just 18, and now boasts a team of editorial experts. Serving up Urban Pop Culture to thousands of daily readers, the blog is based in both London and Los Angeles. That Grape Juice prides itself on audience engagement, with every story provoking hundreds and thousands of reactions, either in the form of comments or social shares.
Continuing to go from strength-to-strength and now positioning itself as a ‘curious online magazine’, GoldFlakePaint is a Glasgow-based blog that was created in 2010 by Tom Johnson. With writers across the world, GoldFlakePaint exists to promote, introduce and review new and emerging alternative talent. The blog allows fans to get to know the people behind the music, including feature interviews with artists and bands including Max Jury, Boulevards’ Jamil Rashad and Girl Ray.
3. A&R Factory
Since launching in 2012, A&R Factory has developed into one of the most prominent blogs in the A&R industry. A platform for new talent, A&R Factory focuses on providing its extensive readership with news on emerging musicians and bands. With a readership of publishers, labels and radio stations, A&R Factory is always on a quest to find the next big thing – and accepts demos through the site.
Want to learn more about this blog? Read our blogger spotlight with Stefan.
We Plug GOOD Music is a world music blog that showcases the best in new and emerging music from all around the world. The blog aims to promote, support and raise awareness of the best new music and artists around the world. Set up in 2009, We Plug GOOD Music interviews artists, reviews gigs and recommends new music in its posts. The team also functions as a digital PR agency for music acts, having represented Global Radio, Akon and Lauryn Hill.
Want to learn more about this blog? Read our blogger spotlight with Ayo.
5. Popjustice
A new entry to the ranking, Popjustice was established by music journalist Peter Robinson in 2000. Described by Peter as a ‘pop blog that got slightly out of hand’, Pop Justice is a huge digital force in the music scene. On a mission to give pop precisely the level of respect it deserves, Popjustice prides itself on loving pop and shouting it from the rooftops. The site carries interviews, videos and traditional blog posts and covers all types of music – as long as it’s pop.
6. HTF
Hit The Floor Magazine is a music lifestyle blog covering a range of genres from metal to electronic. With an informal but accessible tone, HTF attracts a global audience who come to read the reviews, insider interviews with top stars and festival posts covering all the biggest events. HTF is written by a range of contributors who, together, create a unique collection of top music content.
7. STW
Stamp The Wax was created in 2011 by two friends, Joshua Brill and Aaron Levvitt, who wanted somewhere to share stories of the music they love, in London – the city they grew up in, as well as Bristol and Brighton – the cities they studied in. Now, STW has a large team of contributors who cover everything from traditional posts to videos, radio shows and events. They even have a resident DJ. The content is wide-reaching and includes city guides, new music and competitions. STW has become a modern media entertainment empire, in the space of just seven years.
Harder Blogger Faster was created by Andrew Rafter, a traditional print journalist with a passion for electronic music. Based in one of the UK’s spiritual homes of music, Manchester, Harder Blogger Faster covers dance music news and reviews. Alongside Andrew, the blog has contributors across the world including Bristol, Dublin, LA, London, Manchester and San Francisco. Regular content includes news, reviews, features, track giveaways, interviews and competitions.
Test Pressing was founded by Paul Byrne (aka Apiento) in 2008 to post tracks and mixes that fit into the Balearic (or ‘Ibiza trance’) genre. After joining forces with Robert Harris (aka Dr Rob), the site evolved into one which features reviews on a variety of alternative sounds, interviews, mixes, playlists and tour dates. The brand also encompasses a shop, which sells a range of unique clothing and records – fitting the Test Pressing style.
Founded by media and technology analyst Mark Mulligan, Music Industry Blog exists as a source for insight on the changing digital music industry and shares Mark’s informed opinion on how to create a new music business. Music Industry Blog features news on technology and music, while analysing the market through meticulous and thorough research.
Discover more Top 10 Blogs, including Film, Lifestyle, Mummy and Food.
Explore every category in Vuelio Top 10 Blogs here.
The fundamentals of working with bloggers are the same as with traditional journalists at traditional media outlets: respect their schedules; take time to read their material to learn their interests; and only contact them if/when they want to be contacted.
Vuelio’s blog ranking methodology takes into consideration social sharing, topic-related content and post frequency. Profiles of these music blogs and their authors can be found in the Vuelio Media Database.
I only currently follow We Plug Good Music in this list, will definitely be checking out the rest!
Excellent list! I love music and have followed some of those fellow bloggers. 🙂
Are you planning to do a pet blogger list as well? 😀
Don’t forget the blog http://www.anrfactory.com
I read Little Indie a lot. Seems rated highkt by music peeps too. Max.
Great list but do check out soundbop.com when you get the chance we feature new artists and singles all the time
I’m a regular visitor to TinMan London, I’d also recommend Hearty vibes, they are pretty good.
Anyways a worth-check list, thank you Julie!
Hey guys, nice list. Please consider The Music Mag for your next list on influential music blogs! We feature unsigned musicians with a focus on UK talent.