So the new year is approaching, which means new music and new concerts for music lovers like me! I picked out five of my favorite bands that aren't so well-known to shake up your music life. Each of them has something special and exciting going on in 2017. Keep reading to find out more and comment some of your favorite bands so I can listen to them!

Never Let This Go

A rock/pop punk band from Arizona and formed in 2012, they recently covered “Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots and “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey. Never Let This Go has also toured with Never Shout Never, Set It Off, Metro Station, and letlive. They are touring in California and Arizona in January, and hopefully will tour in the Midwest later on in the year. You can check out their Facebook here.

Call Me Karizma

An alternative artist from Minnesota and formed in 2011, he just went on his “Cotton Candy” tour in December 2016. He has performed on three tours in the United States with artists such as Mod Sun, Blackbear, Max Schneider, Gnash, and The Summer Set. His debut album "Uninvited" released in 2016 charted in the top 10 on the iTunes Alternative Charts. He and artist The Ready Set will release a song together in January 2017 that’s bound to be a hit! Click on his Facebook page here.

Palaye Royale

They describe themselves as a fashion-art rock band and were formed in 2011 in Nevada. They were the first unsigned band to win MTV's March Musical Madness in 2014, beating out 63 other bands and in the finale, beating out Linkin Park. Palaye Royale recently finished a tour with Metro Station and are set to go on a North American tour with Andy Black starting in February and ending in March. They have their own very unique style, so if you are looking for something different, this band is for you. Click here for their Facebook page.

Blackbear

A rapper and R&B-oriented singer from California, he co-wrote Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” hit released in 2012. In the same year, his album “Sex the Mixtape” came out. Blackbear also collaborated with artists Mike Posner, Hoodie Allen, Mod Sun, and more through the years. His sweet-sounding voice is enough to win over any girl’s heart. He is continuing his “Over You” tour all through January 2017 starting in Minneapolis, going through Chicago to Michigan, then ending with another Chicago show. His Facebook page is here.

Polyphia

An instrumental band from Dallas, Texas, but they aren’t classical by any means. Their music is based on hip hop, jazz, and R&B and they most definitely have their own style. Their most recent album "Muse" has received six labels on various Billboard charts. They are going on their “LIT AF” tour in 2017, so be on the lookout for them to come to your city! Find them on Facebook here.