From beautiful piano rock to intense loud rock! Bands with cool keyboards and synths.
Keyboards and synthesizers—ranging from piano rock to synth-pop and techno-pop—can be incorporated regardless of whether the band is a traditional rock outfit.
Adding them to guitar, bass, and drums instantly broadens a song’s expressive range! Many of you probably love tracks that feature keyboards, but it can be surprisingly hard to think of bands that actually have a keyboardist, right? So in this article, we’ll introduce plenty of bands with cool keyboard work.
Some play with piano sounds, others with distinctive synth tones—each band is different—so be sure to check out the songs from the bands we’re about to feature.
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From beautiful piano rock to intense loud rock! Bands with cool keyboards and synths (1–10)
phantom vibrationKyūso Nekokami
Kyuso Nekokami is a rock band known for catchy, feel-good sounds that serve as their signature weapon.
They’ve reached a wide audience, having provided the ending theme for the anime Dragon Ball Kai and the commercial song for House Wellness Foods’ Mega Shaki.
The keyboardist is Shinnosuke Yokota, who hails from Osaka Prefecture.
ShaminamiJenīhai
Speaking of Genie High, since members include Kazutoyo Koyabu and Cocoon’s Kukki!, some people might see them as a “band run by comedians.” However, with Takashi Niigaki—also known as a composer—on keyboards, their piano sound has a distinctive originality that evokes elements of contemporary music.
Their taste sets them apart from the typical image of a rock band—impressive, as expected.
WhiteSHE’S
SHE’S is a four-piece rock band that features piano.
Their appeal lies in songs that make the most of the delicacy of the piano and vocals.
They’re often chosen for theme songs and main themes, so you’re bound to find a track that makes you think, “I’ve heard this before!” The piano melodies and the vocalist’s tone are very gentle and soothing.
They have mellow, piano-led tracks as well as up-tempo, rock-style songs, making them a cool band that keeps fans engaged.
From beautiful piano rock to intense loud rock! Bands with awesome keyboard/synth sounds (11–20)
SunlightTHE rabu ningen
THE Love Ningen is a band drawing attention for its unique musicality and expressive power.
While rooted in rock, their warm sound blends a variety of genres, including pop and indie.
They’re also known for their live performances, with a memorable emphasis on fostering a sense of unity with the audience.
In October 2023, they released the single “Taiyo no Kosen” (Sunlight).
Recommended for music fans who seek free-spirited expression unconstrained by existing boundaries.
Love comes slowly, little by little.Sazan Ōrusutāzu
Southern All Stars are a representative Japanese rock band that continues to produce numerous classic songs.
From tear-jerkers to fiery anthems to tracks that make you chuckle, the wide range of their musical styles is underpinned by keyboardist Yuko Hara.
She is also active as a solo singer-songwriter and has written songs for well-known artists.
She is married to Keisuke Kuwata, the lead vocalist of Southern All Stars.
Proposal linesmeiyo densetsu
An honorary legend that celebrates the infinite possibilities of pop.
With catchy melodies and captivating storytelling, it invites listeners into a vividly moving world.
From Loving in May 2023 to Poltron in December, they released music videos one after another.
In particular, the September release, Proposal Lines, surpassed one million views on YouTube.
In August 2024, they also released the single Navigator.
Highly recommended for anyone eager to experience new possibilities in pop music.
DiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESS
A pioneering Japanese all-girl band that churned out hit songs like “The Hottest Summer in the World.” They were mainly active from the 1980s to the mid-1990s and disbanded in 1996, but reunited and performed again from 2012 to 2016.
Konno’s dazzling keyboard parts make your body sway without even thinking! With sparkling sounds like on “Diamonds,” they make your heart flutter—still evoking the same timeless excitement and thrill even today.
