Breaking: Grassroots rise powers Harrison into 2025 momentum as critics hail a new rock‑pop voice
In an era when traditional gatekeepers have faded, Harrison built his career on a social‑media‑driven surge.Geffen signed him in the United States, and by 2020 his online‑driven fanbase helped push his second album, Weird!, to the top of the UK charts.
The momentum continued with a self‑titled follow‑up, tho Harrison later said he was dissatisfied and spiraled into depression after its release.
celebrity backing followed, including Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, who appear in the video for his single The Funeral. Yet he remembers the back to the Beginning show as nerve‑wracking.
The event drew roughly 50,000 people. he notes that many in attendance hadn’t heard of him yet, some questioned his credibility, and a portion had learned of him thru relatives’ conversations.
“I grew up around older rock heads — in a guitar shop my father owned and among the musicians in the family,” he says.“this is where I come from; this will bring me home.”
Since then, praise has continued to pour in. Industry veterans have spoken of his potential to stand with the greats, and Ozzy Osbourne reportedly shares that belief.
Recently, Yungblud released a new version of his hit “Zombie” featuring the Smashing Pumpkins, marking the Chicago band’s first collaboration on a single with another artist.
Harrison says he recently received an “amazing” letter from Robbie Williams. His latest U.S. tour has drawn a broad audience—from kids to listeners in their 70s.
“It’s been such a beautiful year,” he says of 2025, describing the future as limitless and exciting.
Key milestones
| Milestone | What happened | Date/Context |
|---|---|---|
| Early breakthrough | Grassroots fanbase emerges and attracts major label interest | Pre‑2020 |
| UK chart success | Second album “Weird!” tops the UK charts | 2020 |
| Self‑titled follow‑up | Also tops charts; artist later expresses dissatisfaction | Post‑2020 |
| Live milestone | Back to the Beginning performance with nerves and high stakes | Early career |
| Industry acclaim | Complimentary predictions from peers and legends | 2020s |
| Collaborative moment | Smashing Pumpkins collaborate on a new version of “Zombie” | 2025 |
| Broad fan appeal | Letter from Robbie Williams; a wide US audience on tour | 2025 |
For broader context on breakthrough artists in today’s music landscape, see analyses from BBC Music and Rolling Stone.
Reader questions: 1) Do you think fan‑driven platforms have reshaped how artists break through more than traditional media? 2) How importent is cross‑generation appeal to a new artist’s trajectory?
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