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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- [Piano × J‑Pop] A curated selection of the coolest new hits and anime songs that’ll look great when you play them
- The Allure of the Keyboard: A Collection of Piano Vocaloid Songs
- From rock numbers to dance tunes! Cool songs of the Reiwa era
- [2026] For Band Beginners! Recommended Songs from Popular Bands That Get the Crowd Going at Live Shows
- Band-sound Vocaloid Song Special [Rock]
- [J-Pop] A Compilation of Songs with Awesome Drums [2026]
- From cute to cool: iconic and recommended songs from uniquely individual girl bands
- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
- [Beginner] Compilation of Keyboard Performance Training Videos
From beautiful piano rock to intense loud rock! Bands with awesome keyboard/synth sounds (11–20)
MOODLUCKY TAPES
When it comes to bands with cool keyboard parts, there are all kinds—fiercely cool, stylishly cool, and more.
If you’re looking for something on the stylish side, LUCKY TAPES is a great recommendation.
With a mature sound rooted in R&B and city pop, their irresistible groove will make you want to start dancing.
Only a single voiceNEW!rokudenashi
This is a work filled with a gentle warmth that softly wraps around the anxiety and loneliness we carry in our hearts.
Vocaloid producer MIMI wrote and composed the song, and vocalist Ninjin performs it.
Carried by a beautiful melody woven by piano and strings, a transparent, crystalline voice resounds.
It portrays the feelings of a protagonist worn out by days without clear answers, simply wishing for someone to stay by their side.
Released digitally in December 2021, the piece spread in popularity overseas through social media, and the music video garnered over 100 million views.
Please give it a listen on nights when you feel lonely or when you’re struggling to accept yourself.
Orphanscero
Cero is a band whose music, rooted in stylish, city-pop vibes, is captivating, and the stories depicted in their lyrics are another element that draws many fans in.
Beyond the original members, they often perform with support players on brass, percussion, and more, making them a highly versatile group.
Among them, a key element indispensable to their city-pop flair is Yu Arauchi’s keyboards, which add color to the songs with a wide range of tones.
futureodol
Odol is drawing attention for their genre-defying musicality—a band known for its sound that is both delicate and powerful.
Formed in Tokyo in 2014 by Fukuoka natives Ryo Mizobe and Koki Moriyama, they have steadily built a following.
Their song Nozomi, featured in a JR Central commercial, carries a warm message about rediscovering the value of meeting in person in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In November 2023, they released the album DISTANCES.
Be sure to experience their world, where lyrics that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships from a unique perspective intertwine with melodies that linger in the ear.
summer festivalWhiteberry
Whiteberry is the girls’ band that scored a massive hit with their cover release of JITTERIN’JINN’s “Natsu Matsuri.” Their popularity surged after the song was chosen as the theme for the drama “Fushigi na Hanashi.” Although they unfortunately disbanded in 2004, many people still remember Yuki Maeda’s energetic vocals.
Their charm lay in their bright, catchy, and distinctly girlish sound.
Satomi Mizusawa was in charge of keyboards.
CHEERSMrs. GREEN APPLES
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE is a band that has gained popularity for their refreshing songs! Formed in 2013, they are a five-member co-ed band consisting of vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums.
They have many energetic tracks with uplifting lyrics and a pop sound that brighten listeners’ moods.
They’ve also released many singles via streaming, making it easy to enjoy their music!
From beautiful piano rock to intense loud rock! Bands with awesome keyboards and synths (21–30)
Ultramarine DaysToukyou Jihen
A beloved national rock band fronted by Ringo Sheena! Each member—vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards—is noted for exceptionally high technical skill and musicality.
Originally formed in 2003 as Ringo Sheena’s backing band, they made their major-label debut with “Gunjō Biyori.” Even after disbanding in 2012, their songs were featured in commercials, and members continued to perform energetically, including as Sheena’s backing band.
Their 2020 return to activity became a hot topic, didn’t it?