Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
Album: I'll Be Lightning
Why He's Worth Watching: The lush musicality of Finn's debut - on which he plays nearly every instrument himself - feels downright demure compared to his frantic live performances, in which he quite literally throws himself between bass, guitar and drums, conjuring less of Lightning's sensitive-folkie vibe and more of another feral, bushy-browed percussionist - a certain pink-and-orange Muppet.
For Fans Of: Elliott Smith, Iron & Wine, Ben Folds
Acceptance Speech: "I am mighty honoured to be considered as a Best of What's Next. If you were to ask me what was to come next, I would answer, 'Sexual healing all over the ceiling? Step off, step off, don't you come near 'round here. I ain't about to be your toy boy, middle-aged woman!' Maybe it’s the beard?"