Popular French bands. Recommended groups.
Many Western music fans might be thinking, “I know American, British, and Scandinavian rock, but I’m not really familiar with French bands…” Quite a few of you may picture French electro when you think of France’s music scene.
So this time, we’ve gathered popular French bands and recommended groups from across the decades.
While the focus is on rock, the lineup is diverse—ranging from classic progressive rock and, of course, electro, to cutting-edge metal.
Take this opportunity to discover the unique charm of France’s distinctive band sounds.
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Popular French bands. Recommended groups (41–50)
Dance With MeNouvelle Vague
Nouvelle Vague breathed fresh life into the French music scene.
Formed in 2003, they’re known for their innovative approach of covering post-punk and new wave songs in bossa nova and lounge styles.
Their standout album “Bande à Part” reached high positions on the charts in France and the UK.
They revived tracks by artists like XTC and Joy Division with their own interpretations, captivating many listeners.
Their songs have been used in TV commercials and Korean dramas, earning broad support across audiences.
Breathing new life into classic and contemporary hits alike, their music is a must-listen for fans of Western pop and rock.
Emulate The SoulScarve
Scarve is a French death metal band.
Unusually for the metal genre, there was a period when they performed with a twin-vocalist lineup.
They’re a popular metal band even within Europe, where metal is mainstream, so they’re recommended for fans of heavy music.
Gung HoShaka Ponk
They’re a French mixture rock band with a hard, badass band sound.
The husky vocals have a mature edge and are very comfortable to listen to, and the characteristically French way they incorporate electronic elements is super stylish.
I recommend them to anyone who’s grown tired of bands that are just cool and nothing more.
La bande son de ta vieTété
It’s a somewhat suspicious pop melody that you can’t forget once you hear it.
It’s not flashy, but the song has a unique worldview.
By the way, this singer covered THE BOOM’s “Kaze ni Naritai” in a KIRIN TV commercial in 2009.
Ange Ou DémonManigance
Manigance is a band that breathed new life into France’s formidable heavy metal scene.
Formed in 1995, they released their debut album, “Ange ou démon,” in 2002.
Their signature lies in French lyrics paired with powerful melodies, along with progressive elements that reveal influences from Dream Theater and Vanden Plas.
In 2006, they served as a support act for Whitesnake and DragonForce, earning greater international recognition.
After lineup changes, their 2018 album “Machine Nation” saw the addition of female vocalist Carine Pinto.
Highly recommended for those interested in the fusion of French lyrics with a metal sound.
Au marché du soleilMassilia Sound System
Hailing from Marseille, they’re a reggae band that sings in French and Occitan—a reflection of their over-30-year history and the multicultural character of their nation.
It’s a track that conveys power through its lively, hybrid dance beats and irresistibly groovy sound.
Ma ScandaleuseMickael Miro
Mickaël Miro is a singer-songwriter and producer from Lyon, France.
Strongly influenced by Jean-Jacques Goldman, he has attracted attention on the French pop music scene.
He released his debut single, “L’horloge tourne,” in 2010 to great success.
In 2011, his talent was highly acclaimed when the song was named Song of the Year at “La Chanson de l’année.” Beyond his own music career, he has also shown his versatility by managing the singer Slimane since 2016.
Blending traditional French pop with a modern touch, his songs are loved by listeners across generations.
He is a recommended artist for those seeking refined, quintessentially French music.