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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- A compilation of cool Japanese rock band songs. Recommended tracks for cover bands.
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- [J-POP] I want to listen to songs with impressive, beautiful piano tones! Recommended piano cover tracks
- [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 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.
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.
Unconcealed MeGesu no Kiwami Otome.
When it comes to Gesu no Kiwami Otome, many people might picture Enon Kawatani, the band’s central figure who writes and composes their songs.
However, every member of the band has excellent musicianship, and among them, keyboardist Chan Mari is a standout with a background in classical and jazz.
Her uniquely airy, floating tonal sense makes the band’s sound even more vibrant.
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.
The End of Summeraibii karaa
Ivy Color is a four-piece piano rock band from Osaka Prefecture.
They have released many songs with outstanding cohesion and ensemble.
Their appeal lies in arrangements that color a simple band sound with beautiful piano tones, creating depth in the music.
The video track “End of Summer” features a lovely combination of a melody and lyrics that stir up nostalgia and powerful drumming, all gently embraced by the piano accompaniment.
The keyboard is played by Ayae Kawaguchi, whose roots are in classical music.
In the Morning of DeterminationAqua Timez
Aqua Timez was a five-member rock band that sadly disbanded in 2018.
They’re a band whose keyboard sounds linger in your ears, used effectively depending on the song’s character—brought to the forefront in pop-leaning tracks and adding color to guitar-driven songs.
While many of their hits prominently feature keyboards, they are a one-of-a-kind band that also gave the keyboard a strong presence in heavier, more nu-metal-leaning tracks by layering sounds that expand the sonic space.
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.