019 - Lucca Mae
LUCCA MAE
Lucca Mae is one of the most exciting new voices to emerge from the UK's contemporary soul scene. While still at the beginning of her recording career, she has quickly established herself as a captivating live performer whose powerful vocals, timeless songwriting and vintage influences have earned her a growing reputation across Britain and beyond. Drawing inspiration from legendary artists such as Amy Winehouse, Sam Cooke and Paolo Nutini, Lucca Mae blends classic soul, blues and modern singer-songwriter sensibilities into a sound that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly authentic.
Unlike many emerging artists who first gain attention through social media virality, Lucca Mae built her reputation the traditional way: performing relentlessly on stage. Based in London, she became a familiar face on the city's thriving soul and ska circuit, where audiences quickly recognized her remarkable ability to command a room. Whether performing intimate acoustic sets or full-band shows, her performances stood out thanks to their emotional intensity, natural charisma and effortless vocal delivery. Word-of-mouth rapidly became one of her strongest assets, helping her cultivate a loyal fanbase long before the release of a full-length album.
Her songwriting reflects the same honesty that defines her live performances. Rather than relying on elaborate production or fleeting musical trends, Lucca Mae places storytelling at the centre of her work. Her songs explore love, vulnerability, self-discovery and personal growth through lyrics that feel intimate and relatable. This commitment to authenticity has become one of the defining characteristics of her artistic identity and has resonated strongly with audiences looking for music with genuine emotional depth.
Musically, Lucca Mae embraces a wide spectrum of influences. The warmth and soulfulness of Sam Cooke can be heard in her phrasing, while the raw emotion and lyrical honesty of Amy Winehouse remain clear reference points. Critics and fans have also drawn comparisons to Paolo Nutini thanks to her ability to combine soulful melodies with contemporary songwriting. Rather than simply imitating these artists, however, Lucca Mae uses their influence as a foundation for developing a distinctive voice of her own.
One of the most significant moments in her early career came when she caught the attention of renowned drummer Steve White, best known for his work with Paul Weller, alongside his brother Alan White, former drummer for Oasis. Their support represented an important endorsement within the British music industry, with Steve White contributing drums to Lucca Mae's debut album. For an emerging independent artist, collaborating with musicians of this calibre served as a strong validation of both her songwriting and her potential.
Before releasing a full-length project, Lucca Mae introduced audiences to her music through a series of singles that showcased the evolution of her sound. Tracks such as Next To You, Black Magic, My Type, Wasted and The Real Thing demonstrated her versatility, moving comfortably between classic soul grooves, heartfelt ballads and more contemporary pop production while maintaining a cohesive artistic identity. Each release helped expand her audience and confirmed her reputation as one of the UK's most promising independent soul artists.
Throughout this period, touring remained central to her development. Lucca Mae performed extensively across the United Kingdom while also taking her music overseas, appearing in countries including Australia, Canada and Sweden. These international performances allowed her to build connections with audiences far beyond London's live music scene and demonstrated the universal appeal of her music. Sold-out shows became increasingly common as her reputation continued to spread through enthusiastic audience recommendations and positive industry attention.
By early 2026, industry observers were increasingly identifying Lucca Mae as one of the UK's fastest-rising soul artists. Radio appearances, interviews and live sessions further introduced her music to new audiences. During an interview and live performance for Phoenix FM, she discussed the inspirations behind her songwriting, the experiences that shaped her music and her creative journey while delivering intimate live performances that highlighted the strength of her vocals. The station described her as one of the most exciting emerging artists on the British music scene, praising both her stage presence and her songwriting.
Around the same time, independent music publication The Young Dudes featured Lucca Mae in an in-depth interview exploring her artistic evolution, life on the live circuit and the path that had brought her to the release of her debut album. The feature reflected the growing interest surrounding her career and illustrated how quickly she had become one of the most talked-about names within the UK's contemporary soul community.
A major milestone arrived with the release of her debut album, The Truth Is. The record represented years of songwriting, performing and artistic development, capturing the emotional honesty that had become her signature. Rather than attempting to chase commercial trends, the album embraced timeless musicianship, organic instrumentation and deeply personal storytelling. Its release marked the transition from promising live performer to fully established recording artist, while reinforcing her commitment to authenticity over commercial formulas.