Brooke Combe performing during the Dancing at the Edge of the World at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on September 19, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
There's a vibrant, vintage soul brewing in the indie scene, and its name is Brooke Combe. Hailing from East Lothian, just outside Edinburgh, this young Scottish artist has quickly become one of the most compelling voices to emerge in recent memory, bridging the gap between gritty garage-rock swagger and the deep, brass-laden warmth of Motown and classic R&B. She’s not just reviving old sounds; she's using them to write an entirely new chapter in indie-soul.
Brooke's sonic tapestry is woven from an incredibly diverse set of influences, a direct result of inheriting her parents’ sprawling record collection. While she cites the timeless elegance of The Supremes and the profound soul of Amy Winehouse as foundational, her sound is just as indebted to modern indie heroes like the Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane. This eclectic education allows her to craft songs that feature the infectious groove of 60s pop but underpinned by the sharp, driving rhythm guitar of 21st-century rock.
What first captures listeners is her voice: a smoky, rich, and remarkably resonant instrument that seems to belong to someone far older and more experienced. It possesses a certain world-weariness and inherent cool, perfectly suited for the bittersweet narratives woven through her songs. Her early tracks immediately established her sound—powerful vocals riding over punchy percussion and keyboard riffs that could have been sampled directly from a Stax record. Yet, these retro flourishes are delivered with a modern, unpolished urgency that gives her music a vital edge.
Her talent extends beyond just her vocal ability; she is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, self-teaching herself both guitar and keys, which gives her complete creative control over the sonic textures of her work. This mastery translates into live performances that are undeniably magnetic. On stage, Brooke possesses an infectious, natural charisma that turns standard concert venues into intimate, soulful gatherings. She performs with the kind of relaxed confidence that belies her youthful age, cementing her reputation as an artist whose raw, undeniable energy is best experienced live.
The excitement surrounding Brooke Combe isn't built on fleeting buzz; it’s grounded in her ability to synthesize disparate genres into a cohesive, recognizable signature. She is part of a wave of musicians who treat musical history as a toolkit, taking the best elements of soul structure, rock lyricism, and modern production to create something fresh. As she continues to evolve and build on her early momentum, Brooke Combe remains one of the most intriguing and promising artists to watch, proving that authentic, genre-blending soul remains timelessly cool.
Brooke Combe shared the stage with Benson Boone at the Moody Center. They continue across the United States, Canada, and Europe with the last stop at the Dive in Wolverhampton, UK on February 14, 2026.
Brooke Combe
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