Signed, primed and ready for action: mainstream breakthroughs could come from all corners of the business in 2005, such is the depth of new signings, as outlined by Music Week's Rosterwatch round-up.(2004's key signings)

After recent years of cutbacks, doom and gloom, 2004 was a clear turning point in building the confidence of the UK music business.

It was a record year for new music, and the injection of the feel-good factor--which has arisen from the success in catapulting a string of new artists from unknowns to million-sellers--is reflected by the sheer number and diversity of artists signed in the past 12 months.

Music Week's annual Rosterwatch, which is outlined over the following pages, highlights the new UK-signed bands picked up by the key labels over the past year. The list of artists and bands signed is diverse enough to suggest that mainstream breakthroughs in 2005 could come from all corners of the business.

With many of the key artists which broke through in 2004--Scissor Sisters, Keane, Snow Patrol, Katie Melua and Franz Ferdinand--connecting with the public on the strength of their strong sense of identity, this trend looks sure to continue into 2005.

Underlying this apparent potential for unpredictability, some trends are emerging from the new signings survey. For instance, one area where record companies are currently investing time and money is in guitar-wielding girl bands. Contenders so far include Island's Love Bites and Polydor's The Faders, through to Wall Of Sound's The Girls. Such acts, and their labels, are targeting a teenage market which has been introduced to guitar-based pop by the likes of McFly and Busted.

Smash Hits editor Lisa Smosarski sees the impending onslaught of gift bands as a positive sign. "We're really excited by the prospect of a rocky" girl group launching," she says. "Edgier female pop stars such as Christina Aguilera, Pink and Avril Lavigne have become the role models for Smash Hits readers. This means there is a huge gap for a rocky UK girl group and, if these prospective acts have great music and the right image, I think they could do fantastically' well.

'Among teens there is also a thirst for more UK chart stars, so this could be the perfect opportunity for a band to break through."