Growing up on The Wirral, Michael Aldag’s love for music was initially inspired by his talented grandmother, resulting in him singing in choirs and eventually discovering the world of production in his mid-teens. Although inspired by the likes of The Killers, The 1975, Bastille and Phoebe Bridgers, he’s not particularly concerned about falling into a particular genre, opting instead to focus on his music being an expression of his personal experiences.

With over half a million followers and millions of likes on TikTok, plus over 20,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, he’s gained a solid fanbase on social media and it’s no wonder he’s already selling out shows. Hoping to one day headline Glastonbury, and having already performed in several cities in Europe we can’t wait to see what’s next for this rising star.

1. For those who don’t know about you and your music, tell us a little bit about who you are and where you’re from…

Hello! My name is Michael. I’m 19, from Liverpool and I make electro-pop music.

2. Who/what inspired you to start a career in music?

My first real experience of music was in the Nativity play in school where I sang ‘Silent Night’ with a towel on my head. After that exhilarating experience I knew that there was nothing else I wanted to do.

3. Who are your biggest musical influences?

The Killers and The 1975, definitely. I love the emotion of The Killers’ songs and the wit and the melodies of The 1975. I think most of my music is an attempt at imitating theirs!

4. Tell us about the writing and recording process of your new release…

I wrote ‘Ghosted’ about the impact of technology on modern relationships, which sounds really clever but it is also just about me not getting replied to via text and being upset about it. I recorded the demo in my room maybe a year ago and finished it with Mark Ralph a couple months back, I love how it has turned out it is one of my favourite songs.

5. What has been your biggest career highlight so far?

I think it has to be selling out my debut headline shows. I CANNOT wait to play them. We have just finished rehearsing for them last week and I’m so excited, I’m going to be singing my little heart out.

6. Who would you be your dream collaboration and why?

The 1975 because I think they are amazing, sonically and lyrically they are such huge inspirations to me. I wouldn’t be making the music I make now without them. That would be a dream to make music with them.

7. Have you met anyone and been totally starstruck?

This is so embarrassing. I wasn’t lucky enough to meet her but I saw Holly Humberstone at Leeds Festival the other day and started crying. She was playing ‘The Walls Are Way Too Thin’ and I was literally burying my head into my friend’s shoulder to stop the tears. I was a mess but I don’t care because she was amazing.

8. If you could only listen to one song on repeat for the rest of time what would it be and why?

‘Dustland Fairytale’ by The Killers because it is beautiful. But… I used to have a rule when I was little that I would only play this song once a week so I didn’t ever get sick of it, so maybe not actually. Probably ‘Leaked’ by Lil Tjay as it is such an ear worm - I listened to it 47 times in a row the other day, I know it like the back of my hand.

9. What’s on your playlists that people wouldn’t expect?

I listen to a lot of Headie One - people might not expect that? His music is great to run to, it gives a load of energy. I’d like to make music like that, that instantly hypes you up when you hear it.

10. What can we expect from your live shows?

The absolute time of your life and nothing less. Hopefully lots of emotions, I think the set has a good arc. My aim is to make people really feel alive - cry one moment and then dance and sing their lungs out.

11. Have you got any fun livestreams/online events planned for this year? / When can we see you live?

I go live regularly across my TikTok and Instagram (@michael.aldag) so if you want to catch me waffling and playing new music, that’s the place to go! My sold-out headline shows are in September in Liverpool and London and I’m also playing a BBC Introducing show on the 16th September in The Lexington which you can still grab tickets for!

'Michael Aldag’s Ghosted is out now. Tickets to Lexington on the 16th Sept here.'