Music of a wonderful world

[2026] A roundup of the best UK bands, featuring many up-and-coming acts!

Active club DJkento
Active club DJ. With over five years on the front lines of the club scene, they freely cross over from dance music to US hip-hop and Japanese rap. Blending in their own edits with assured mixing, they craft a unique groove that captivates the floor.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

In Japan, both now and in the past, bands from the UK have been especially popular among Western music.

As fellow island nations, there’s a shared sensibility—those slightly damp, melancholic melodies and lyricism resonate perfectly with Japanese tastes, and many people are also drawn to the distinctly European worldview.

In this article, we’ve researched recommended UK bands.

The first half spotlights up-and-coming and new artists you should watch to understand the “now” of Britain, while the second half takes a broader look—centered on rock—at veterans and mid-career acts you ought to know.

It features plenty of bands that are great for beginners to UK rock and Western music alike, so be sure to check it out!

[2026] The Best British Bands: A Roundup. Plenty of up-and-coming acts too! (111–120)

Wasted Little DJ’sThe View

The View – Wasted Little DJ’s (Video)

Wasted Little DJ’sThe View

The View is a rock band from Scotland.

With their debut album, they shot straight to No.

1 on the UK charts and stirred up excitement across the country as promising young leaders of a “slightly delayed rock ’n’ roll revival.” They are counted among the UK’s most popular bands in both name and reality.

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Red Red WineUB40

UB40 – Red Red Wine (Official Video) VideoMusic

Red Red WineUB40

This band, formed by a mix of white and Black members, is well known worldwide for its reggae-style sound.

This song is a cover of Neil Diamond, but since their tracks are all slow-tempo and laid-back, listening when you want to relax should have a soothing, healing effect.

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BulletproofYoung Guns

Young Guns – Bulletproof (Official Video)

BulletproofYoung Guns

Included on the alternative rock band’s fourth album released in 2016.

Chris Kamrada (ex-There For Tomorrow) also took part.

Praised by the magazine Kerrang!, their genuine talent delivers a rich, immersive sound.

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Standard Tuningbdrmm

bdrmm – Standard Tuning (Official Audio Visualiser)

Standard Tuningbdrmm

Beadroom, a shoegaze band from the UK, released their debut EP “If Not, When?” in 2019.

Centered around lead vocalist Ryan Smith, their appeal lies in a distinctive sound that draws inspiration from ’90s shoegaze while incorporating elements of dream pop and new wave.

In 2020, they released their debut album “Bedroom.” In 2023, they signed with Mogwai’s label, and on their second album “I Don’t Know,” they embraced a broader palette, including ambient and trip-hop influences.

Ryan’s melancholy vocals and outstanding guitar work are striking, and their lyrics address socially conscious themes such as addiction and mental health issues.

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Why Are We Sleeping?Soft Machine

Soft Machine-Why Are We Sleeping?

Why Are We Sleeping?Soft Machine

Let me introduce Soft Machine, a progressive jazz-rock band from the UK.

Formed in Canterbury in 1966, they began with psychedelic rock and gradually shifted toward jazz fusion.

Their band name is said to derive from a novel by William Burroughs.

In the 1970s, they released albums such as Third and Fourth, pursuing a fusion of jazz and rock.

Although the lineup changed frequently, their innovative musical approach and experimental spirit had a significant influence on later generations.

In 2015, they reunited under the name Soft Machine Legacy.

Highly recommended for those interested in experimental music.

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Pick Up The PiecesAverage White Band

Average White Band – Pick Up The Pieces (1977)

Pick Up The PiecesAverage White Band

A rare funk band from the UK whose members are mostly white.

Despite being an instrumental track, their 1974 release “Pick Up the Pieces” became a number-one hit on the U.S.

charts.

Many of you are probably familiar with its main melody.

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Club FootKasabian

Kasabian – Club Foot (Official Video)

Club FootKasabian

Kasabian is a British rock band.

Alongside Arctic Monkeys, they may be one of the most successful bands to have emerged since the 2000s.

Their sound gives the impression of being highly addictive, blending indie rock with electronica.

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