[2026] A roundup of the best UK bands, featuring many up-and-coming acts!
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!
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[2026] A roundup of recommended UK bands: plenty of emerging artists, too! (141–150)
Who Are You?The Who
The Who, a rock band that represents the UK music scene, captivated audiences around the world from the 1960s through the ’70s.
The four-piece is known for Pete Townshend’s guitar and Roger Daltrey’s vocals.
They debuted in 1965 and produced hits like “My Generation” and “I Can’t Explain.” In 1969, with their innovative album Tommy, they established a new genre: the rock opera.
In December 1975, they reached No.
1 on the U.S.
album chart, and they have continued to be highly active ever since.
The Who are known for their destructive stage performances and experimental sound.
They’re a recommended band for those who enjoy powerful playing and socially conscious lyrics.
Train Kept a Rollin’The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds, a rock band that Britain is proud of, were formed in London in 1963.
Known for their unique sound that fused blues, rock, and psychedelia, they produced guitarists who would later become legends of rock, including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.
They created hits such as “For Your Love” and “Heart Full of Soul,” and as pioneers of psychedelic rock, they had a major impact on the music scene.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, honoring their achievements.
They’re a recommended band not only for those interested in blues rock or psychedelic rock, but also for anyone who wants to trace the roots of master guitarists.
Young GirlsPINS
UK is a four-piece girls rock band formed in Manchester in 2011.
Their sound layers darker influences—garage, psychedelic, and grunge—onto indie rock, resulting in a highly addictive style.
Even with the tambourine shaking, it never turns fully bright; that deliberately unresolved, smoldering texture is quintessentially UK.
A Winter Shade of PaleProcol Harum
Some people might feel they’ve heard the intro of this song somewhere before.
It features a beautiful, almost classical-sounding melody, and it seems to have been used in commercials in Japan as well.
It’s known as a favorite of many major artists, including Billy Joel, and has been covered by numerous musicians.
DakotaStereophonics
Stereophonics is a rock band from Wales, United Kingdom.
Known for their husky-voiced, hard-edged rock, they have achieved commercial success—such as five consecutive UK number-one albums starting with their second—while also earning high critical acclaim for their musicality.
Little LiesFleetwood Mac
This band has sold 10 billion albums to date and holds the record for the highest album sales in the world, but I feel they aren’t that well known in Japan.
They debuted in 1967 and have been active for a long time.
Their songs span various rock genres, offering a pleasant sound that isn’t too loud.
Something About YouLevel 42
All of their songs have a calm atmosphere and a distinctive character, giving off a mature, cool rock vibe.
This track became a big hit, reaching No.
4 in the U.S.
and No.
6 in the U.K., and the album featuring this song ranked particularly high in Europe.
In conclusion
As I mentioned at the beginning, there’s something about the melodic sense and sound of British bands that strangely resonates with Japanese listeners, and even those new to Western music who aren’t used to English lyrics should find it easy to listen to.
At the same time, the characteristically British literary quality and skewed perspective of the lyrics become more fascinating the deeper you dive.
I hope this article serves as a gateway for you to fall headfirst into the world of British music!