Aussie-bound Sigrid wins BBC Sound of 2018 poll

Norwegian 21-year old pop sensation Sigrid, who’s heading to Australia next month, has consolidated her major international breakthrough last year by being named the winner of the prestigious BBC Sound of 2018 poll.

She was chosen by a panel of 170 influential UK and international music experts (including DJs, festival promoters and critics), and joins previous recipients as 50 Cent, Adele, Sam Smith, Haim, Years & Years, Ellie Goulding and Jack Garratt.

Contenders for this year’s poll included British alt-soul singer songwriter Rex Orange County, aka Alex O’Connor, Manchester-based R&B/jazz singer IAMDDB, US R&B singer Khalid, Manchester band Pale Waves, Scandinavia’s Alma and U.S. teen Billie Eilish.

Sigrid told the BBC, “It’s a lot to take in to have won something as prestigious as BBC Music Sound Of.

“I feel honoured as there are so many other artists I look up to who have won this before me, and honestly, I’m just really happy and proud of what my team and I have achieved together.

“I’m from a small town called Ålesund in Norway. I’m still 21 and it’s quite crazy to get this recognition. I’m very excited about the year ahead and sharing new music with everyone.”

BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, one of her earliest champions said, “Sigrid is one of those really special artists making quality, exciting and feisty – yet fragile – pop songs that are an absolute pleasure to play on the radio.

“Sigrid is an incredibly talented performer and songwriter and so very deserving of the Sound Of 2018 crown.

“I’m really looking forward to watching her rise.”

Sigrid Solbakk Raabe grew up inspired by the music of Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, and later Lorde and Robyn.

At 16 her older brother Tellef, told her she could join his band onstage at a hometown gig but with one stipulation – she had to write her own songs rather than do covers.

In her mid teens her debut single ‘Sun’ made her a name in Norway.

At the beginning of 2017 she was virtually unknown outside a couple of European countries.

Then signed to Island/Universal Music, her first single for the major, the self-penned ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’ was a break-through in Australia and the UK and generated 100 million streams.

Its feminist theme resounded in the post-Harvey Weinstein period of self-empowerment.

One of her fans tattooed ‘DKMV’ on her lower lip because the song meant so much to her.

The critics drooled: “the song of the summer” (Times), “best single of 2017” (DIY), “The pop star you’ve been searching for” (i-D ), “the year’s hottest new star” (Guardian Guide) and “bound for global conquering chart glory” (Metro).

The BBC made it the ‘Hottest Record in the World’ in February, which helped her UK tour a month later a sell-out and slots on the Reading Festival and Glastonbury where she drew one of the largest crowds.

Sigrid plays Sydney City Limits on February 24, with sideshows in Brisbane’s Triffid (23) and Melbourne’s The Corner (28).