Top 10 New Wave Bands

These are the best new wave groups.

This is mainly soft rock with some smooth guitar and piano parts. The drummers don't go crazy. They just keep the beat, which is all they are supposed to do.

1. Depeche Mode

   

   Depeche Mode are an English electronic and synth-pop band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The original lineup included Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. They are known for helping pioneer electronic music and have sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

   Not only one of the best New Wave bands of all time, but they are definitely one of my favorite music artists. The dark, unique, and melancholy sound of their music is just incredible.

   Imagine hating Depeche Mode, the god of electronic rock.

   Depeche Mode is hands down the best New Wave band ever!

2. The Cure

   

   The Cure are an English post-punk and gothic rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1976. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter Robert Smith remaining the only consistent member. They are known for hits such as Just Like Heaven and Lovesong... read more

3. Talking Heads

   

   Talking Heads were an American rock band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison. They helped pioneer new wave music and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

   New Wave would not be as well-known as it is without the Talking Heads. David Byrne's antics, Tina Weymouth's solid bass playing, Chris Frantz's drumming, and Jerry Harrison's licks defined the sound of the Talking Heads. Albums like Talking Heads 77, More Songs About Buildings and Food, Fear of Music, Remain in Light, and Speaking in Tongues helped to shape New Wave like never before.

   The live album/movie Stop Making Sense allows the listener to give their own view on the Talking Heads' shows.

   New Wave, Art Pop, Art Punk, Post-Punk, Funk, Afrobeat. These guys can be classified as many genres.

4. Duran Duran

   

   Duran Duran are an English new wave and synth-pop band formed in Birmingham in 1978. They achieved major success in the 1980s and were a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States. The group is known for hits such as "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Rio," and "Ordinary World... read more

   Wow, second place. They should be number one, but every band on this list is good. New Wave is so much better than the music now. I can't even listen to 21st-century music without the fear of my ears bleeding.

   Duran Duran owned the '80s with hit after fabulous hit. Their videos were cinematic masterpieces, with most fans eagerly awaiting the next one. They were Lady Di's favorite band and many others around the world as well.

   Talk about five guys who studied the artistry of New Wave, who lived it, who breathed it, who were rebels at it. That's Duran Duran.

5. Blondie

   

   Blondie is an American rock band founded by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American new wave and punk scenes of the mid to late 1970s. Their hits like Heart of Glass, Call Me, and Rapture helped them cross over to mainstream success.

   Blondie makes very catchy and enjoyable songs. The female singer has a beautiful voice as well.

   Blondie is the epitome of New Wave! Their quirky lyrics, riffs, and roots at CBGB's make them number one in the New Wave category.

   Great mix of punk, disco, alternative rock, and new wave.

6. Tears For Fears

   

   Tears for Fears are an English pop and rock band formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. They were founded after the breakup of their earlier band, the mod-influenced Graduate. Initially associated with new wave and synthesizer-driven music, they later shifted toward mainstream rock and pop.... read more

   Tears for Fears is great. They have a very unique and catchy sound to their music. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is one of my favorite songs of all time.

7. New Order

   

   New Order is an English rock band formed in 1980. The band's current lineup includes Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Phil Cunningham, and Tom Chapman. It was formed by members of Joy Division following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis and is known for blending post-punk with electronic... read more

   This band, created in the ashes of Joy Division, was unique, experimental, and extremely creative. They showed the world how great electronic music can be.

   These guys are basically the phoenix that rose out of the ashes of one of the most influential post-punk bands ever, Joy Division! How can you not like them?

   Based on their music alone, New Order is the definitive New Wave band.

8. The Cars

   

   The Cars were an American rock band that emerged from the new wave scene in the late 1970s. Formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1976, the lineup included singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, lead guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes, and drummer David Robinson... read more

   The Cars' songs were quirky, catchy, and infectious. They are not a band that is easily pigeonholed. The cover of their album Candy-O, created by legend Alberto Vargas, was iconic.

9. The B-52's

   

   The B-52s are an American new wave band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. The original lineup consisted of Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson, and Keith Strickland. Known for their quirky style and danceable music, the band achieved success with songs such as Rock Lobster and... read more

   Their first two LPs are the greatest New Wave albums, in my opinion.

10. Joy Division

    

    Joy Division was an English post-punk band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. They originally used the name Warsaw. The quartet comprised Ian Curtis on vocals, Bernard Sumner on guitar and keyboards, Peter Hook on bass, and Stephen Morris on drums. The band became influential despite its... read more

    The originals. Ian Curtis took them from punk to New Wave and gave birth to the great New Order. They stand toe to toe with The Cure and Depeche Mode.

    They are so much better than The Killers! Seriously, people?

The Newcomers
11. ?

    The Bodines

12. ?

    Martha and the Muffins

    
The Contenders

13. Devo

    

    Devo is an American rock band from Akron, Ohio, formed in 1973. Their classic lineup consisted of two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales, along with drummer Alan Myers. The band achieved mainstream popularity with their 1980 single "Whip It," which reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot... read more

    15th?! Really?! Out of all listed, DEVO should be number one!

14. The Police

    

    The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. The lineup included Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland for most of the band's existence. They are best known for songs such as "Roxanne," "Message in a Bottle," "Don't Stand So Close to Me," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,"... read more

    Though I'm not much into New Wave or a poppier approach to rock in general, The Police will forever be one of my favorite bands. Their music is just stunning and has helped me through some rough times.

    At one time, they were the number one band in the world, and no one could touch them.

15. Siouxsie & the Banshees

    

    Siouxsie and the Banshees were an English rock band formed in London in 1976 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and bassist Steven Severin. The band gained critical acclaim and influenced many artists both during and after its active years. Its music was an important part of the post-punk and gothic rock scenes... read more

    Although a bit before my time, I am so impressed by Siouxsie and the Banshees! In fact, her version of the song Helter Skelter is honestly one of the most radically awesome things I have ever seen or heard in my entire life! Seriously, it has personally become an anthem for me as well as a new favorite song overnight.

    She and her band are, in my opinion, true pioneers of punk rock among other types of music today. She is certainly deserving of being in the top ten!

16. Television

    

    Television is an American rock band from New York City formed in 1973. The group was founded by Tom Verlaine, Richard Lloyd, Billy Ficca, and Richard Hell. An early fixture of CBGB and the 1970s New York rock scene, the band is considered influential in the development of punk and alternative music.

    They made "Marquee Moon." Need I say more?

17. Tubeway Army

    

18. Bauhaus

    

    Bauhaus is an English gothic rock and post-punk band formed in Northampton, England, in 1978. The group includes Peter Murphy, Daniel Ash, Kevin Haskins, and David J. They are considered pioneers of the gothic rock genre and are best known for their single Bela Lugosi's Dead.

19. The Killers

    

    The Killers are an American pop rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2001 by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning. The band gained international fame with its debut album, Hot Fuss (2004), which included hit singles such as Mr. Brightside and Somebody Told Me. They've since released multiple albums... read more

    One of my fave bands next to The Strokes. I love The Killers. They sound brilliant. Brandon Flowers is very talented. There's something catchy and relatable on all their albums.

20. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

    

21. Eurythmics

    

    Eurythmics were a British music duo consisting of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. Stewart and Lennox were previously in the band The Tourists, which split up in 1980. Eurythmics formed that same year in London and became known for hits such as Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) and Here Comes the Rain Again... read more

22. Culture Club

    

    Culture Club is an English band that formed in 1981. The group consists of Boy George, Roy Hay, and Mikey Craig, while former member Jon Moss played drums and percussion. They achieved international success in the early 1980s with hits such as Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want to Hurt Me. The band... read more

23. The Psychedelic Furs

24. A Flock of Seagulls

    

    A Flock of Seagulls are an English new wave and synth-pop band formed in Liverpool in 1979 by Michael "Mike" Score and his brother Alister "Ali" James Score. The best-known lineup also included Francis Lee "Frank" Maudsley and Paul Reynolds. The band is best known for its 1982 hit "I Ran (So Far Away... read more

25. Oingo Boingo

    

    Seriously underrated band! They hated being called New Wave, but I can't really think of them as anything else.

26. Sparks

    

    Sparks is an American pop and rock band formed in Los Angeles by brothers Ron and Russell Mael. The duo originally began performing under the name Halfnelson before changing its name to Sparks in 1972. They have released 26 studio albums and are known for their theatrical performances and distinctive... read more

27. Soft Cell

    

    Soft Cell are an English synth-pop band who came to prominence in the early 1980s. The group consisted of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball until Ball's death in 2025. They are best known for their international hit Tainted Love, released in 1981, and reunited several times after initially... read more