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)
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.
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.
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!
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?
From beautiful piano rock to intense loud rock! Bands with awesome keyboards and synths (21–30)
Each Other’s UniverseJYOCHO
JYOCHO is a progressive rock band that started in Kyoto in 2016.
Centered around the virtuoso guitarist Daijiro, the group consists of five members.
They made their debut with the mini-album “Inori dewa Todokanai Kyori” (A Distance Prayer Cannot Reach), followed by releases such as “Aoi Ie de Bokura Kurasu” (We Live in a Blue House).
In March 2018, they released a single EP that was selected as the ending theme for a TV anime.
Their songs, marked by odd time signatures, complex rhythms, and distinctive flute and keyboard tones, weave a fantastical soundscape while incorporating elements of pop and post-rock.
Be sure to experience their uniquely inventive sound.