Best Alternative / Indie Rock Bands of the 21st Century

The Top Ten
1 Arctic Monkeys The Arctic Monkeys, otherwise known as the Death Ramps, are a British indie rock band formed in 2002 in Sheffield, England. The band consists of Alex Turner (lead vocalist, songwriter, electric and rhythm guitarist), Jamie Cook (electric and rhythm guitarist, songwriter), Matt Helders (percussionist, backing vocalist) and Nick O'Malley (bassist, backing vocalist). A former member, Andy Nicholson (also... read more

Depends what kind of mood I am in but it's a toss up between radiohead and these guys. And the Monkeys do seem to have more momentum behind them these days...

Best band the British Indie scene has brought forward. Intelligent lyrics combined with solid music.

This band writes such deep music and you can just feel what they are trying to tell you.

2 Radiohead Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwoood (bass guitar), Phil Selway (drums), and Ed O'Brien (guitar).

Honestly should be right up at the top. The most beautiful, creative, mind-blowing music. Every album is a gift to the world. Thom is an absolute lyrical genius. Should be number 1 for sure. Radiohead has changed the way I perceive the world, myself and others. If you have never listened to them before, do yourself a favour and go listen to them. I've got to say, it's almost impossible to pick a favourite, but mine would have to be Videotape, Lotus Flower, Glassy Eyed and Street Spirit (Fade Out). And Just. And You and Whose Army. I could really go on forever listing all these wonderful songs.

None of these indie bands would be around without Radiohead. There would be no Muse, Modest Mouse, Band of Horses, Death cab, Coldplay, Killers, and many more. They are so inventive with their sound too...

Have one of the best fan bases and album art adding to what is already a prolific alt. band. Still trying to figure out who like Linkin Park enough to vote for them over any of these bands.

3 Imagine Dragons Imagine Dragons is an American pop rock band from Provo, Utah, and are now based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Imagine Dragons' lineup consists of lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman. The band first gained exposure with the release of their single "It's Time", followed by their award-winning debut studio album Night Visions (2012), which resulted... read more

I was struggling to find a modern band I could like, since I hated most modern music. Then, my friend performed radioactive at a talent show. I asked him who it was by, and he told me it was imagine dragons. When I got home, I googled radioactive. Then, another friend played Demons. I loved both of those songs, so I started listening to more music by them. Now they're my favorite modern band

I love Imagine Dragons. They are really great and the lyrics are very emotional. For me number 1 with Linkin Park!

I have loved imagine dragons since It's time. If you like them try American Authors, why aren't they on top?

4 Linkin Park Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), and Rob Bourdon (drums). Linkin Park is associated with a mixture of alternative rock, hip hop, and techno. Some of their influences include Nine Inch Nails, Deftones,... read more

My Favorite band!
They should be on first
They are the best of all
There songs are really awesome
Can't tell in words... Just there music is AmAzInG

Linkin Park is beyond doubt the best band ever! You guys ROCK!

I like some Of Linkin Parks songs but I dislike just as many.

5 Coldplay Coldplay are a British pop rock band formed in 1996. The band consists of Chris Martin (lead vocalist and pianist), Jonny Buckland (lead guitarist), Guy Berryman (bassist) and Will Champion (drummer and backing vocalist). Manager Phil Harvey is often considered an unofficial fifth member. The band renamed themselves "Coldplay" in 1998. Before making their debut album, they recorded and released three... read more

Best band in the world. Every song they do is different, every album they make is unique, and their talent shines through in everything. Each new album tries out something new and interesting that is able to keep people listening to them even after 18 years. A rush of blood to the head may perhaps be one of the best albums ever made! They have always made beautiful music and they don't need to sing about sex, drugs, alcohol, partying, and suicide to get the attention. They make songs with a wide variety of emotions that never ever fail to show their creative genius. In 2015 they recieved the NME award for Godlike Genius and I couldn't agree more. All the songs are made by the band, and are filled with the band's emotions. The lyrics are all chris martin and the lyrics of almost all of their songs are very meaningful and very full of life. Each member of the band is extremely talented and very humble. They have stuck together for almost 19 years because their chemistry and their ability to combine their talents has never faded. They are well aware that what makes the band great is their bond.Their worldwide fanbase and their chart topping hits makes them the biggest band in the world. But their music ever since the Safety EP, through A Head Full of Dreams, makes them the best alt/indie band in
the world.

6 Muse Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The members are Matt Bellamy (lead vocal, lead guitar, piano, keyboard), Dom Howard (drums, percussion) and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals). They've won several awards including 5 MTV Awards, 8 NME Awards, 2 Brit Awards, and 2 Grammy Awards.

Are they like a real band that makes music or are we all just hallucinating them? anyway in my opinion they are one of the best bands of the last 15-20 years and may I add the strokes and radiohead

Muse is the best band ever. Say what you want about Linkin Park but they didn't get radio AirPlay of 30+ songs. Muse did

Muse is the best band ever! I haven't heard a single song by them that I didn't like.

7 Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983.

The band's members are Anthony Kiedis (Vocals), Michael "Flea" Balzary (Bass), Chad Smith (Drums) and numerous guitarists, most well-known being John Frusciante.

The band is among the most well-known funk bands in music history with albums like "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" and "Californification"... read more

Top 8 bands of all time. Also take every other band of but R.H.C.P., Foo Fighters, P.J., and maybe Radiohead.

The funk is awesome, the lyrics are great and flea is the best bassist of any rock band

8 The Killers The Killers is an American pop rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001, by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning.

An incredible band that is able to consistently pump out solid albums each of them with their own list of anthemic sing along singles, but even then the rest of their songs all sound fantastic and more importantly written from the heart. Brandon Flowers impressive vocal ability coupled with his lyrical skill really shine and fit together beautifully with the rest of the bands amazing musical skill.

The Killers have amazing lyrics and tunes I mean seriously they are so underrated for an alt rock band. They have so much good music that are not even played on radio they should be #1.

They are awesome!, Hot Fuss and Sam's Town are a very good discs and Wonderful Wonderful is good too (Day & Age is regular and Battle Born sucks)

9 Panic! At the Disco Panic! at the Disco was an American pop rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004 and featuring the current lineup of vocalist Brendon Urie, accompanied on tour by bassist Dallon Weekes, guitarist Kenneth Harris, and drummer Dan Pawlovich.

I'm in love with their music. They have such contrast and don't use the same boring melodies over and over. And I love how they exaggerate stuff and make their live shows a big dramatic production! It's definitely a job well done!

Favorite band of all time! Haven't found a song I didn't like! From I Write Sins Not Tragedies to Nine in the Afternoon to Nicotine, Build God Then We'll Talk, Girls/Girls/Boys and The Ballad of Mona Lisa they're music is the best!

Incredible music incredible band. Brandon Urie is the most talented musician out there in my opinion, he plays ALL instruments and his voice and vocal range are just as amazing live

10 Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish rock band, formed in 2002 and based in Glasgow. The band's original lineup was composed of Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, Bob Hardy, and Paul Thomson.

The new album 'right thoughts, right words, right action' is AMAZING!

The Contenders
11 The Strokes The Strokes are an American rock band formed in New York City in 1998. They consists of Julian Casablancas (lead vocalist), Nick Valensi (guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist), Albert Hammond, Jr. (rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist), Nikolai Fraiture (bassist) and Fabrizio Moretti (percussionist, mainly drummer). The Strokes have released six studio albums so far: Is This It (2002),... read more

They were the ones that started it in 2001 with Is This It.

This is the most original of all bands.

12 The White Stripes The White Stripes were an American rock duo, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The duo consists of only a couple married at the time, Jack White, whose real name was Jack Gillis (songwriter, lead vocalist, guitarist, bassist and keyboardist) and Meg White (drummer and backing vocalist). After they got married, Jack Gillis borrowed his wife's surname and became Jack White... read more

This shouldn't be number 10. It started alternative rock. It got me interested in the genre of rock in the first place when I heard Seven nation army. Like honestly wow, their guitar skills are better than any band at this time, THEY shouldn't BE 10 THEY STARTED IT. And I can gurantee that 90% percent of people over the age of 13 have heard at least one of their songs.

These guys are literally the reason I love music. With two people they managed to make a bigger and better sound than bands that have three times their number. Also, Jack White is probably the best guitarist and raw musician of his generation, or any generation for that matter.

Despite what some people say here, alt rock existed many years before the White Stripes. However, they are still a great garage rock/punkish band. Jack White is one of the best guitarists of the past 10 years as well.

13 Foo Fighters Foo Fighters are an American alternative rock band, formed in Seattle in 1994. The band was founded by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl after the death of Kurt Cobain and the dissolution of his previous band. The band consists of Dave Grohl (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar, main songwriter), Pat Smear (rhythm guitar), Nate Mendel (bass), Taylor Hawkins (drums, backing vocals), Chris Shiflett (lead guitar,... read more
14 Green Day Green Day are an American pop punk/punk rock band formed in East Bay, California in 1987. The members include Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), Tré Cool (drums) and Jason White (guitar). Green Day are associated with punk rock, pop punk and alternative rock. Some of their influences include The Ramones, Sex Pistols, NOFX, and Bad Religion. They are best known for their... read more

Green Day have had a huge influence on the 21st century and unlike some bands on this list they make statements with their music. Just listen to, "Holiday," "American Idiot," "Wake Me up When September Ends," "21st Century Breakdown," or "21 Guns." In addition they are the only band on this list that I have seen that had a rock opera turned into a successful musical about 7 years after its original release date.

I like some of Green Days songs but I again still dislike just as many.

15 Snow Patrol Snow Patrol are a Northern Irish rock band formed in 1993, consisting of Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly, Paul Wilson, Jonny Quinn, and Johnny McDaid.

These guys are just amazing an for me they deserve top 5 at least

16 Arcade Fire Arcade Fire are a Canadian indie rock band based in Montreal, Quebec consisting of husband and wife Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, along with Win's younger brother Will Butler, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara.

Undoubtedly the greatest band of the 21st century. Every single song has such a profound meaning and story. Funeral, Neon Bible, The Suburbs, Reflektor; works of geniuses. How is it so low. Probably just cause its lesser known than the others being canadian and all._. Has won two Grammy album of the years. They will not disappoint <3 arcade fire

Because they ARE the best band of our time!

17 Kings of Leon Kings of Leon is an American rock band that formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Caleb Followill, Nathan Followill and Jared Followill, with their cousin Matthew Followill.

Alongside RHCP and Coldplay, these guys of all contemporary bands do magic through their music. Eventhough they are a 21st century band, I dare to say they might be my favorite band of all time, and that's tough since I've been into older stuff like Pink Floyd my entire life.

18 Bloc Party
19 The Arcana The Arcana are a British rock band formed in 2016 in London, England. The band consists of Peter Lennodo (vocals, guitars and keyboards), Jack Aquiziac (vocals, bass guitar and keyboards) and Joey Silverheel (drums and percussion).

They have released four studio albums: Pastel Painted People In Candy Coloured Crowds (2023), Mesmer Theatre (2020), Lemon Freddy Phantom Of The Sky (2017) and Tomorrow Is Yesterday (2016). They have released three singles: Ghostwriter (2016), Lemon Freddy (2018) and Wishes Last Forever (2019). ...read more.

This is Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Stones, Hendix and Floyd all combined in one mothering fright fest.

20 Bastille Bastille are an English indie pop band formed in 2010. The group began as a solo project by singer Dan Smith, who later decided to form a band. Beside Smith, the four-piece consists of Chris Wood, Will Farquarson, and Kyle Simmons.

They should at least be in the top 10. This band is great and they don't have a single bad song.

21 The 1975 The 1975 are an English pop-rock band originating from Manchester. The group consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matthew "Matty" Healy, lead guitarist Adam Hann, bassist Ross MacDonald, and drummer George Daniel.

They are amazing especially their new album!

Incredible! Obsessed with their music!

22 The Script The Script is an Irish pop rock band formed in 2001. The band comprises keyboardist and lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue, guitarist and vocalist Mark Sheehan and drummer Glen Power.
23 Catfish and the Bottlemen

Their albums are great, like you could hardly find a band in this decade with this kind of great stage presence and their instrumentals are really very great. It's just sad that people nowadays aren't noticing this kind of true talent on earth.

Everyone needs to listen to their 2 albums. Some of the best from the balcony are homesick, kathleen, cocoon, fallout, pacifier and rango. And some of the ride are 7, twice, postpone, anything, glasgow, and red.

Have found themselves succeeding in a time where rock is practically dead. Hats off!

24 Cage the Elephant Cage the Elephant is an American rock band from Bowling Green, Kentucky, that formed in 2006 and relocated to London, England, in 2008 before their first album was released.

Absolutely beautiful. They change their sound for each album. One of the only bands where every single song on the album is a real banger.

This band is Amazing! They are fantastic live and their lead vocalist is fantastic! They have great songs and they aren't boring.

The arctic monkeys suck cage the elephant totally deserves number one

25 Bring Me The Horizon Bring Me the Horizon is a British rock band from Sheffield, Yorkshire. Formed in 2004, the group currently consists of vocalist Oliver Sykes, guitarist Lee Malia, bassist Matt Kean, drummer Matt Nicholls, and keyboardist Jordan Fish. They are signed to RCA Records globally and Columbia Records exclusively ...read more.
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