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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- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
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From beautiful piano rock to intense loud rock! Bands with awesome keyboards and synths (21–30)
RPGSEKAI NO OWARI
SEKAI NO OWARI is a four-member band that made their major debut in 2010.
They’re affectionately known as “Sekaiowa”! Many people might remember DJ LOVE’s clown mask and Saori playing the piano.
The whispery, soothing vocals blend beautifully with the piano, creating Sekaiowa’s unique world.
Their delicate lyrics resonate deeply, making them a band that can heal you during tough times.
The Stronger, The Further You’ll BeFear, and Loathing in Las Vegas
Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas rose to popularity with a new sound that blends EDM and intense metal.
After making their major debut, their popularity surged through tie-ins with anime and other media, and they have now established a solid position in Japan’s metal scene.
The keyboards use what you might call techno-style synthesizers.
broad daylightKing Gnu
King Gnu is a band whose musicality is so diverse it can’t be summed up in a single word.
They’ve continued to release hits like “Hakujitsu,” written for the drama Innocence: False Accusation Lawyer, and “Teenager Forever,” which drew attention after being featured as a commercial song.
Each member’s ability to play multiple instruments is likely what enables them to create uniquely distinctive, high-quality works.
The more you listen, the more you’ll be hooked—experience the world of King Gnu for yourself.
cherry blossomJanne Da Arc
Visual kei bands are popular not only in Japan but also overseas.
Janne Da Arc is one of Japan’s most prominent visual kei bands, boasting top-tier popularity and successful international tours.
Musically, they lean heavily into metal and hard rock elements, and their keyboard phrases are incredibly cool—making them a must-check even for those who aren’t into visual kei.
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.
Night journeyYorushika
Yorushika is a band led by the composer n-buna, who is famous as a Vocaloid producer.
Their band-centered soundscape is layered with vocalist suis’s crystal-clear voice, creating a musicality unlike any other.
Although they take the form of a band, the official members are just two: n-buna and suis.
Various support musicians join them in producing songs—keyboards included, of course.
It’s music expressed exactly as they envision it, unconstrained by the framework of a “band.” That is precisely Yorushika’s greatest appeal.
366 daysHY
When it comes to bands where the keyboardist stands out, many people might think of HY! Izumi Nakasone, who’s even been called the queen of breakup songs, has written countless classic love ballads.
Her voice, with its deep resonance, and above all the relatable, heartfelt lyrics leave a strong impression.
In songs where piano is indispensable—like HY’s signature track “366 Days”—and even in rock ballads like “AM11:00,” her keyboard sound adds rich color to the music.
