BBC Introducing brings the East Midlands' next wave of talent to Metronome
BBC Introducing returned to Nottingham's Metronome with a fresh showcase of local talent, expertly curated by East Midlands legend Dean Jackson…
SPLIT (7:30–7:50 PM)
Opening the night with a burst of energy, SPLIT wasted no time getting the crowd moving. Known for their recent runner-up title in the Ultimate Battle of the Bands, they brought that same competitive fire back to the Metronome stage.
Blending sharp guitar riffs with raw vocals, their language wasn’t always clean (but they made sure to apologise to Dean, so we’ll let them off). The band, which includes members of Luna & The Lime Slices, showed off their rebelliousness and unmistakable chemistry in their short twenty-minute set.
Manye Fi (8:10–8:30 PM)
Seamlessly blending Afrobeats, R&B, and soulful African storytelling into a sound that felt both refreshingly modern and deeply rooted in tradition, British-Ghanaian Manye Fi performed an intimate and expansive set. Her vocals were rich and assured as she commanded the stage,
In March 2025, she teased her love anthem Rema to a packed crowd at the Ghana 68th Independence Concert at Indigo at The O2. We were treated to a live rendition of the track, alongside others from her recent EP, Manye Fi Rebirth.
Harry Lyon (8:50–9:10 PM)
Harry Lyon is no stranger to performing live — having signed with RCA and toured the UK in his early teens as part of the indie band RedFaces, supporting the likes of Razorlight, DMA’s, and The Courteeners, he arrived at Metronome already a seasoned performer. Now stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist, Lyon is forging a new path, one that draws comparisons to the likes of Sam Fender and Lewis Capaldi, while remaining distinctly his own.
Backed by a full band, Lyon delivered an anthemic yet emotionally grounded set, filled with soaring choruses, heartfelt lyrics, and the kind of confidence that only comes from years of gigging. The dynamic between Lyon and his band was tight, professional and polished - clearly honed from time spent on the road and in the studio.
Drew Thomas (9:30–9:50 PM)
Closing the night on a powerful high, Drew Thomas delivered a gritty, emotionally charged performance that felt tailor-made for late-night stages and stadium-sized catharsis. A Nottingham native now based in London, Thomas took to Metronome with quiet intensity and quickly established himself as the most polished and emotionally resonant performer of the evening.
Leaning fully into his self-coined “grit-pop” identity - a hybrid of emotionally vulnerable songwriting and arena-ready indie rock - Thomas performed a standout selection from his newly released Watershed EP. His set oozed a mix of raw melancholy and euphoric release, a sonic tension that drew the audience in from the first note.
Dean Jackson’s recommendations never disappoint, and once again he succeeded in showcasing the future of British music, right here in the East Midlands. He thanked the crowd, expressing that not many cities show up to support upcoming talent like Nottingham does. Long may we continue.