A RISING star of a singer has been labelled as ‘one to watch’ in 2019 by one of the world’s biggest music platform.

YouTube Music – a new app separate from the website and made specifically for listening to music unveiled its first ever Ones to Watch artist spotlight earlier this year.

The list of ten musicians highlights emerging artists who look set to follow in the footsteps of global superstars like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, who first found fame thanks to YouTube.

And Hexham-born singer-songwriter and guitarist Jade Bird has made it on to the list, much to her delight.

Twenty-one-year-old Jade was born in the Tyne Valley, but with both her parents in the Army she’s spent much of her life moving from place to place.

She’s lived in Germany, Wales, and London – where she’s now based.

Her music combines acoustic guitar with pop sass along with a gritty alternative edge.

She’s also signed to Glassnote Records, sharing the label with the likes of Mumford & Sons and indie folk outfit Daughter.

Her YouTube channel has more than 23,000 subscribers, while the video for her recent track Uh Huh has racked up almost a million views in just three months.

Described as “vivacious, chatty, and frequently hilarious,” her infectious personality and gutsy vocals have created quite a stir in the industry.

She lists her influences as the likes of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan through to Alanis Morisette and Florence and the Machine.

Jade said: “I’m really blown away to be included on YouTube Music’s Ones to Watch list.

“YouTube has been such an amazing place for me to evolve my music and gain new fans.

“I’ve just released my latest single Love Has All Been Done Before, and I’m currently finishing my album in America and I cannot wait to share it and much more in 2019.”

It marks the end of a remarkable year for Jade.

She recently returned form a sold out tour across the pond in America, while November has seen her embarking on a UK run of gigs.

The tour will see her play at some of the country’s biggest venues, including London’s Electric Brixton.

Unfortunately for Tynedale music fans, there’s no space in Jade’s tour for a North-East tour date – the closest she gets to the region are performances in Leeds and Glasgow.

The UK ‘Ones to Watch’ artist spotlight was compiled by YouTube Music based on a variety of factors, including YouTube views, engagement from music fans across the world, and YouTube music’s own analytics system.

Surprisingly, Jade’s not the only musician on the list to hail from the North-East. North Shields-based singer-songwriter Sam Fender and L Devine, from Newcastle, also both made the list.

The trio of North-East acts missed out on top spot, however.

That honour went to R&B songstress Mahalia, who has racked up more than 100,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel.

The top 10 is notable for not featuring any groups – the ten acts are all solo artists – which YouTube Music say is reflective of trends, views, and insights on the site.

Demonstrating the diverse nature of British music at the moment, the list contains an eclectic mix of artists, from R&B to rap and more.

Azi Eftekhari, head of music partnerships at YouTube, UK, said: “This is a year of UK artists doing their own thing.

“With the freedom musicians now have to express themselves not just sonically, but visually, it’s perhaps unsurprising that this list only features solo artists, many of whom are genuinely pushing artistic and visual boundaries.

“One thing is certain – YouTube continues to be an unmatched launch pad for emerging artists, and 2019 is set to be a huge year for homegrown UK talent.”