Popular French bands. Recommended groups.

AmenoERA

ERA : Ameno 2010 – Remix (Official Music Video)

ERA is a band formed around Eric Lévi, a guitarist from a heavy metal band.

Their fresh, captivating music blends electronic sounds with operatic vocals from as many as 60 singers, creating a beautiful and striking effect.

Dis-MoiBB BRUNES

BB BRUNES – Dis-Moi [Clip Officiel]

BB Brunes is a band from Paris, France, formed in 2006.

While the members’ good looks draw plenty of attention, their songs—combining a slightly youthful-sounding vocal with catchy, upbeat rhythms—are excellent as well, so I recommend enjoying them along with the music videos.

oimiakonA Red Season Shade

A Red Season Shade “oimiakon”

When you hear “a band with flowing melodies and enveloping, roaring guitars,” you might think of groups from the UK or Scandinavia, but bands like that actually exist in France as well.

Formed in Nice, France, A Red Season Shade is a band that weaves elements of shoegaze, post-rock, and dream pop into songs that unfold slowly and dramatically, elevating them not as instrumentals but firmly as vocal-driven music.

They only left behind two albums—the 2006 release The Outcome Fosters Detachment and their masterpiece second album Interiors from 2009, which marked their debut in Japan—but both deliver a sound that will undoubtedly pierce the hearts of anyone who loves lyrical post-rock or shoegaze.

Highly recommended for fans of fellow French act M83, too.

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StilAcid Arab

Acid Arab – Stil

Acid Arab is a musical collective that brought a fresh breeze to France’s electronic music scene.

Formed in Paris in 2012, they have drawn attention with a unique style that fuses Western electronic music with Eastern sounds.

Their music blends acid house and techno with the intricate rhythmic structures of Arabic music, creating a sound that truly bridges East and West.

They perform at clubs and festivals around the world and have gained widespread support.

The appeal of Acid Arab lies not only in mixing genres, but in their intention to spark new dialogue between different cultures.

They are an artist you should definitely check out if you’re interested in electronica or world music.

Des Torrents De CoupsCeleste

CELESTE – Des Torrents De Coups (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

In France’s underground scene, there are many bands that produce inventive metal and heavy rock sounds, and the deeper you dig, the more fascinating acts you’ll discover.

In this piece, we introduce Celeste, a band from Lyon, France, who have a devoted following in Japan as well—having even toured here in 2019.

Their musical style, often described as “dark hardcore,” uniquely interprets elements of black metal, sludge, and post-hardcore.

True to the name, their thunderous sound, both dark and aggressive, delivers an intensely powerful listening experience that shakes the listener to the core.

Formed in 2005, they released their debut album Nihiliste(s) in 2008 and have consistently put out new work, steadily building their career.

In 2021, they signed with Nuclear Blast, the prestigious Germany-based metal label, and in January 2022 released their latest album to date, Assassine(s).

While the overwhelming heaviness and intricate band interplay remain intact, it’s their most melody-forward work yet—a masterpiece that captures the growth of a band that never stops moving forward.

It might be a good idea to start with Assassine(s) and then dive into their earlier releases!

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Greyhound RacingConcrete Knives

Concrete Knives – Greyhound Racing (Official Video)

Concrete Knives are a five-piece band based in Caen, in France’s Normandy region.

Formed in the 2000s, they’ve developed a distinctive sound that fuses edgy art rock with pop hooks and rich dance melodies.

They debuted in 2012 with the album “Be Your Own King,” followed by their second album “Our Hearts” in 2018.

Influenced by a range of artists including TV on the Radio and Talking Heads, their sound spans genres from pop/rock to indie electronic.

The band never forgets to show appreciation to their fans and has persevered steadily with their music.

Highly recommended for anyone seeking fresh, exciting sounds.

Black Sun RisingDESTINITY

DESTINITY – Black Sun Rising – official video clip

Destinity is a band formed in France that operates within the heavier subgenres of metal, such as black metal and thrash metal.

Not only are the shouted vocals incredibly cool, but the melodic elements are also highly recommended—making this a must-listen band for metal fans.