Best Alternative / Indie Rock Bands of the 21st Century

The Top Ten

Arctic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys, also known by the pseudonym Death Ramps, are a British indie rock band formed in 2002 in Sheffield, England. The lineup includes Alex Turner (lead vocalist, songwriter, electric and rhythm guitarist), Jamie Cook (electric and rhythm guitarist, songwriter), Matt Helders (drummer, backing... read more

Depends on 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.
Coldplay

Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996. The group includes Chris Martin (lead vocals, piano), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals). Their manager, Phil Harvey, is often referred to as the unofficial fifth member.... 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, keeping 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 don't need to sing about sex, drugs, alcohol, partying, and suicide to get attention.
They make songs with a wide variety of emotions that never fail to show their creative genius. In 2015, they received 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's, and almost all of their lyrics are very meaningful and 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 ability to combine their talents have never faded. They are well aware that what makes the band great is their bond. Their worldwide fanbase and chart-topping hits make 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.
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), Emily Armstrong (vocals), and Colin Brittain (drums). Linkin Park... read more

My favorite band! They should be first. They are the best of all. Their songs are really awesome. Can't tell in words... Just their music is amazing.

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

They have created their own genre. Enough said.
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 their debut album Hot Fuss (2004), which included hit singles like Mr. Brightside and Somebody Told Me. They've since released multiple albums and... read more

An incredible band that consistently pumps out solid albums, each with its own list of anthemic sing-along singles. Even then, the rest of their songs all sound fantastic and, more importantly, are written from the heart.
Brandon Flowers' impressive vocal ability, coupled with his lyrical skill, really shines and fits together beautifully with the rest of the band's 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 is not even played on the radio. They should be number one.
Radiohead

Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway, and Ed O'Brien.
Known for their experimentation and sonic evolution, they rose to international prominence with OK Computer and continued... read more

Honestly, they 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. They should be number one 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 favor and go listen to them. It's almost impossible to pick a favorite, but mine would have to be Videotape, Lotus Flower, Glassy Eyed, 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, The Killers, and many more. They are so inventive with their sound too.
Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons is an American pop rock band from Provo, Utah, now based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The band's lineup includes lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and touring drummer Andrew Tolman.... 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, they are number 1 with Linkin Park!

Those guys are so awesome, they make Florence and the Machine look... well, not awesome.
Muse

Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The members are Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, lead guitar, piano, keyboards), Dom Howard (drums, percussion), and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals). They have won numerous awards, including five MTV Europe Music Awards... read more

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. 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 for 30+ songs. Muse did.

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

Panic! at the Disco was an American pop rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2004. The band was originally a four-piece but later became a solo project led by Brendon Urie. At the time of its disbandment in 2023, the group featured touring members including Dan Pawlovich, Nicole Row, and Mike Naran... read more

I'm in love with their music. They have such contrast and don't use the same boring melodies over and over. 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, Nicotine, Build God Then We'll Talk, Girls/Girls/Boys, and The Ballad of Mona Lisa, their music is the best!

Incredible music, incredible band. Brendon 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.
Green Day

Green Day are an American pop punk and punk rock band formed in East Bay, California, in 1987. The core members are Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), and Tré Cool (drums), with Jason White often performing live on guitar. They blend punk rock, pop punk, and alternative rock, drawing... read more

Green Day has 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 had a rock opera turned into a successful musical about seven years after its original release date.
One Republic

OneRepublic is an American pop rock band formed in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2002 by lead singer Ryan Tedder and guitarist Zach Filkins. The band gained early attention and success on Myspace as an unsigned act. Their debut single, Apologize, became a major hit after being remixed by Timbaland.

The Newcomers

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The Arcana

The Arcana are a British rock band formed in 2016 in London, England. The band consists of Peter Lennodo on vocals, guitars, and keyboards, Jack Aquiziac on vocals, bass guitar, and keyboards, and Joey Silverheel on drums and percussion.... read more

This is Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and Pink Floyd all combined into one amazing experience.
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Ween

Ween is an American experimental rock band formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Its members are Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo, known by their stage names Gene Ween and Dean Ween, respectively. The band is known for its eclectic musical style and has released numerous albums across various... read more

The comical gods of alternative rock should be higher.

The Contenders

Bon Iver

Bon Iver is an American indie folk band founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. The name "Bon Iver" derives from the French phrase "bon hiver," meaning "good winter," taken from a greeting in the TV show "Northern Exposure." The band won Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Alternative... read more

Beautiful guitar, haunting vocals, and incredibly deep lyrics.
Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American funk-rock and alternative rock band founded in 1983 in Los Angeles. The current core lineup includes Anthony Kiedis, Michael "Flea" Balzary, Chad Smith, and Joshua Klinghoffer, although John Frusciante remains the most acclaimed guitarist associated with the... read more

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

The funk is awesome, the lyrics are great, and Flea is the best bassist of any rock band.
Catfish and the Bottlemen

Their albums are great. 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 two albums. Some of the best from The Balcony are Homesick, Kathleen, Cocoon, Fallout, Pacifier, and Rango. And some of the best from The Ride are 7, Twice, Postpone, Anything, Glasgow, and Red.

They have found themselves succeeding in a time where rock is practically dead. Hats off!
The Strokes

The Strokes are an American rock band formed in New York City in 1998. The band 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... read more

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

This is the most original of all bands.
The Script

The Script is an Irish pop-rock band formed in 2001. The band consists of keyboardist and lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue, guitarist and vocalist Mark Sheehan, and drummer Glen Power. They are known for their melodic sound and have released several successful albums and singles.
Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters are an American alternative rock band formed in Seattle in 1994. The band was founded by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl after Kurt Cobain's death and Nirvana's breakup. The current lineup consists of Dave Grohl (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, primary songwriter), Pat Smear (rhythm guitar... read more
Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand is a Scottish rock band based in Glasgow. The group was formed in 2002 and became known for its energetic style and post-punk revival sound. The original lineup included Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, Bob Hardy, and Paul Thomson.

The new album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action is AMAZING!
The White Stripes

The White Stripes were an American rock duo formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The duo consisted of Jack White (born Jack Gillis), who handled songwriting, vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboards, and Meg White, who played drums and provided backing vocals. Jack adopted Meg's surname after their marriage.... read more

This shouldn't be number 10. They started alternative rock. They 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 guarantee that 90% 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 with three times their number. Also, Jack White is probably the best guitarist and raw musician of his generation, or any generation for that matter.
Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire is 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. The band is known for its eclectic musical style and grandiose live performances... read more

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 because it's lesser-known than the others, being Canadian and all. They have won two Grammy Album of the Year awards. They will not disappoint.

Because they ARE the best band of our time!
Cage the Elephant

Cage the Elephant is an American rock band that formed in 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The group relocated to London, England in 2008 shortly before releasing their self-titled debut album in the United Kingdom, followed by a U.S. release in 2009. Known for their high-energy performances, the band... read more

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.

Their whole first album was a total banger, and after that, they just kept getting better.
Two Door Cinema Club

Honestly, they're perhaps the most underrated band of today. They're just incredible!
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, along with their cousin Matthew Followill. They rose to fame with hits like Sex on Fire and Use Somebody, winning Grammy Awards... read more

Alongside RHCP and Coldplay, these guys, of all contemporary bands, do magic through their music. Even though 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.
The Fray

The Fray is an American rock band that originated in Denver, Colorado. The band was formed in 2002 by schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King. They rose to fame with their 2005 debut album How to Save a Life, which was certified double platinum in the United States and achieved platinum status in Australia... read more
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 known for their eclectic style, which incorporates elements of pop,... read more

They are amazing, especially their new album!

Incredible! Obsessed with their music!
Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol are a Northern Irish-Scottish rock band formed in 1994, originally from Dundee, Scotland, and later based in Northern Ireland. The band consists of Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly, Paul Wilson, Jonny Quinn, and Johnny McDaid. They achieved international success with their 2006 single Chasing... read more

These guys are just amazing, and for me, they deserve to be in the top 5 at least.