Best Alternative / Indie Rock Bands of the 21st Century

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

This is the most original of all bands.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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

They are amazing, especially their new album!

Incredible! Obsessed with their music!

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.