RETURN OF GUITAR HEROES?

Sharing NME's new music cover with Haim is Palma Violets, a London-based indie quartet also longlisted on the BBC's annual survey whose past winners include chart queen Adele and 50 Cent.

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The death or otherwise of indie guitar rock has been discussed almost obsessively by the British music press over the years, but George Ergatoudis, head of music on BBC's Radio 1, bravely predicted: "Rock and alternative guitar acts are going to find public taste swinging their way" in 2013.

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If that is true, those set to benefit include two Birmingham acts - quartets Peace and Swim Deep - two London bands - female post-punk foursome Savages and alternative rockers Bastille, and two Irish acts, Kodaline and Little Green Cars.

As in previous years, one area with the biggest potential for topping charts around the globe is the single female act.

Whether or not inspired by the likes of Gaga, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and beyond, a new crop of female performers-with-attitude has emerged ready to take on the world.

Creating the biggest stir so far is Angel Haze, a US rapper whose sexually explicit lyrics and self assertive manner have put her on a path to stardom, helped by the success of her EP "Reservation" which draws on her Native American heritage.

"I will say to anyone's face I am the best out there right now," she said in a recent interview, with typical bluntness.

At the other end of the musical spectrum comes Gabrielle Aplin, a singer-songwriter who built up an online following by posting acoustic covers before signing to a major label.

Underlining the increasing crossover between merchandising and musical success, Aplin has already scored a No 1 single hit in Britain with her cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "The Power of Love" which was used in a John Lewis commercial.

Somewhere in between falls Laura Mvula, whose powerful voice has earned comparisons from acts as diverse as Billie Holiday and Adele, and MTV has selected Ebony Day as its unsigned artist to watch this year.

There are precious few single male artists on the radar in early 2013.

Tom Odell appears on MTV's Brand New list, the BBC's Sound Of survey and won the BRITs Critics' Choice award for up-and-coming talent, while London rapper K Koke is included on Digital Spy's "Ones to Watch" column and MTV.