[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!

Playlist

[2026] A roundup of the best UK bands, featuring many up-and-coming acts!
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Top 10 staTues tHat CriEd bloOdBring Me The Horizon		From Sheffield, an ever-evolving rock band
2	I’m In Love With YouThe 1975		A British rock band with a distinctive sound
3	nightmaresHard Life		Hard Life's unique music and rise
4	Heat WavesGlass Animals		A four-piece band from Oxford with a distinctive musical style
5	Nothing MattersThe Last Dinner Party		An indie rock band from London, drawing attention with their innovative music and expressive style
6	2005South Arcade		South Arcade, the rising pop-punk star from Oxford, UK
7	the gardenunpeople		Unpeople: gaining momentum with heavy, dramatic melodies
8	Television RomancePale Waves		A Manchester-born band drawing attention in the LGBT community
9	Figure It OutRoyal Blood		British rock duo, innovative sound
10	Chaise LonguWet Leg		Indie rock, a rising female duo
11	Wall Of EyesThe Smile		A supergroup led by Thom Yorke is active
12	DANCERIDLES		Idles, the punk rock band, take on social issues
13	StarlightMuse		Muse, a rock band from Devon
14	Ode to ClioMan/Woman/Chainsaw		The innovative music and passion of a five-member young band
15	What You KnowTwo Door Cinema Club		The appeal of Two Door Cinema Club
16	John Lblack midi		A three-piece band gaining attention for their experimental rock
17	AccordionAbstract Orchestra		A large ensemble band that fuses hip-hop and jazz
18	Mirror MusclesSOFT PLAY		The journey of the punk rock duo, Soft Play
19	Up&UpColdplay		Coldplay, a world-renowned rock band
20	Beautifully UnconventionalWolf Alice		Innovative UK rock band making waves worldwide
21	WonderwallOasis		A British rock band representative of the 1990s
22	PompeiiBastille		Bastille, pioneers of indie pop
23	Bohemian RhapsodyQueen		Queen’s classic song “Bohemian Rhapsody”
24	CreepRadiohead		The experimental British rock band Radiohead
25	FuckaboutDrenge		Breakthrough of a dark grunge band from the UK
26	How Soon Is Now?The Smiths		The Smiths led by Morrissey leave behind hit songs
27	AlwaysThe Snuts		The rise of Scotland’s indie rock bands
28	Can’t Kick Up The RootsNeck Deep		Global success of a pop-punk band
29	Common PeoplePulp		Gaining attention with a unique pop style, only to be short-lived.
30	Stayin’ AliveBee Gees		The Bee Gees’ classic “Stayin’ Alive,” a hit from the 1970s.
31	Cosmic GirlJamiroquai		The innovative jazz-funk band, Jamiroquai
32	Everything Must GoManic Street Preachers		A Tale of a Rock Band’s Trials and Triumphs
33	ConcordeBlack Country, New Road		An experimental band blending post-punk
34	In A RoomDodgy		A band that plays a retro rock sound
35	Hung AroundKing Nun		The DIY-spirited punk rock band, King Nun
36	Hey DudeKula Shaker		A rhythmical song with Indian musical influences
37	RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood		music of Frankie Goes to Hollywood
38	Here I Go AgainWhitesnake		David's band conquers the world with a hit song
39	Sky Highjigsaw		A song famous as a movie theme
40	Last Train HomeLostprophets		Lostprophets, a popular rock band from the UK
41	Sliding DoorsBoston Manor		Boston Manor sings about youth anxiety
42	Bitter Sweet SymphonyThe Verve		Masterpieces from classical to rock
43	Playing FictionROAM		Up-and-coming pop-punk rookie band; one to watch
44	Dreadlock Holiday10cc		10cc’s signature songs and their distinctive musical style
45	Hello, GoodbyeThe Beatles		The Beatles Captivate the World with Their Innovative Music
46	Dirty old townThe Pogues		A band that fuses Celtic music and punk rock
47	The Day We Caught The TrainOcean Colour Scene		A Birmingham band of traditional-style UK rock
48	Why Does It Always Rain On Me?Travis		A song that sings of rain, hardship, and life's misfortunes
49	Run To The HillsIron Maiden		The Rolling Stones, a globally popular band
50	StayNo Devotion		A new wave dance rock band emerges
51	Don’t Look Back Into The SunThe Libertines		A British band known for garage rock
52	You Will RiseSweetback		Soul music without borders from the UK
53	Your Love Is MineThe New Mastersounds		A British band that fuses funk and jazz
54	Retreat! Retreat!65daysofstatic		Post-rock × electronic sounds, an original musicality
55	KandaikiMammal Hands		A piano trio from Norwich with a diverse musicality
56	The MessageOMA		An innovative hip-hop band from Manchester
57	Not The American AverageAsking Alexandria		An innovative song by a stunning metal band
58	Deja VuLionsheart		A rock band with bluesy vocal melodies and guitar as its charm
59	Virginia PlainRoxy Music		Roxy Music’s first hit song
60	Viva La RevolutionThe Adicts		Legendary punk rock band, music full of individuality
61	BreakoutSwing Out Sister		The allure of sophisticated jazz-pop
62	BanquetBloc Party		A London-born rock band with Black rhythms
63	Beautiful OnesSuede		Suede is a representative band of Britpop.
64	Breakfast in AmericaSupertramp		Supertramp's hit album
65	Saturday nightBay City Rollers		A lively song by Southern All Stars
66	Public ImagePublic Image Ltd		The appeal of the post-punk innovative band Public Image Ltd (PiL)
67	House Of The Rising SunThe Animals		A 1960s British R&B band, captivating with its distinctive musicality
68	NastyThe Damned		The Damned, pioneers of British punk rock
69	Time Of The SeasonThe Zombies		The Appeal of The Zombies, a Great Band from the ’60s
70	Symphony Of The NightDragonForce		A melodic and exhilarating metal classic
71	I see redFrenzy		Legendary rockabilly bands and classic songs
72	Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne		Ozzy Osbourne’s classic song themed around the Cold War
73	Big City NightsScorpions		A classic hit by Scorpions, with the orchestral version also making waves
74	New StarTears for Fears		A rare song by a British band
75	GET IT ONThe Power Station		Power Station’s cover of a classic T. Rex song
76	AntmusicAdam&the Ants		A quirky band that became explosively popular in the UK
77	DoomsdayArchitects		The power delivered by key bands in metalcore
78	R U Mine?Arctic Monkeys		A popular indie rock band from the UK
79	Girl From MarsAsh		Ash tops UK chart with youthful energy
80	Heat of The MormentASIA		The band Asia’s hit songs are still going strong.
81	An Honourable ReignBURY TOMORROW		A leading band of melodic metalcore
82	Feel Like Makin LoveBad Company		British band becomes a big hit in the U.S. as well
83	ParanoidBlack Sabbath		Hard rock known for occult songs
84	The Fire Is GoneChange of Heart		A melodic rock record with synths
85	Sunshine Of Your LoveCream		Cream is a legendary rock band.
86	Karma ChameleonCulture Club		A distinctive British pop band from the 1980s
87	Smoke On The WaterDeep Purple		Deep Purple, famous songs and intros
88	Let’s Get RockedDef Leppard		A British rock band that continues making music after overcoming an accident
89	Money For NothingDire Straits		A legendary rock band that fused diverse genres
90	Don’t Bring Me DownElectric Light Orchestra		Signature songs of the classic rock band ELO
91	Time After TimeElliot Minor		A twin-vocal piano rock band
92	1%Funeral for a Friend		The band’s final work, with emotional music that resonates in the heart.
93	That’s AllGenesis		The History of the Legendary Rock Band Genesis
94	Price Tag ft. B.o.BJesseJ		Adele’s smash hit songs—catchy and captivating music
95	21st Century Schizoid ManKing Crimson		Pioneers of prog, an innovative musical collective
96	Whole Lotta LoveLed Zeppelin		Led Zeppelin, the kings of rock that shake the stones
97	AfterlifeNapoleon		An unconventional metalcore band with melodies and a heavy, massive sound
98	TemptationNew Order		Huge influence from post-punk to dance
99	D’You Know What I Mean? (NG’s 2016 Rethink)Oasis		Oasis, a representative band of Britpop
100	High HopesPink Floyd		Pink Floyd: a monument of innovative rock
101	RocksPrimal Scream		A rock band from Scotland with diverse musicality
102	BodiesSEX PISTOLS		Sex Pistols shock society
103	After The Love Has GoneTen		The main draw of this band is, above all, the vocalist G…
104	NocturneTesseracT		A cutting-edge progressive metal band
105	London CallingThe Clash		A legendary band that revolutionized punk rock
106	Save it For LatarThe English Beat		80s songs gain popularity through movies
107	Far Gone And OutThe Jesus and Mary Chain		Scottish noise pop band
108	Purple HazeThe Jimi Hendrix Experience		Jimi Hendrix, an innovative guitarist
109	Death of a ClownThe Kinks		A rock band from London formed by the Davies brothers
110	Where Do I StandThe Montrose Avenue		The band's defining features are harmony and melody.
111	The PeopleThe Music		A British rock band with an overwhelming performance
112	BreatheThe Prodigy		A pioneer of techno rock, globally acclaimed
113	Wasted Little DJ’sThe View		A popular rock band from Scotland
114	Red Red WineUB40		A song by a mixed black-and-white band with a reggae vibe
115	BulletproofYoung Guns		A masterful album by an alternative rock band
116	Standard Tuningbdrmm		Beadlebum advancing shoegaze, original music
117	Why Are We Sleeping?Soft Machine		Soft Machine, pioneers of progressive jazz-rock
118	Pick Up The PiecesAverage White Band		A funk band with a predominantly white lineup becomes a massive hit.
119	Club FootKasabian		Kasabian, a popular indie rock band
120	Stuck Between A Rock & A White FaceOne Minute Silence		A four-piece band influenced by metal
121	Best YearsPRAYING MANTIS		A masterpiece by a melodious HR/HM band
122	Get it OnT-REX		1960s rock band, career derailed by a traffic accident
123	LovesongThe Cure		The Cure is a diverse music band that has been active for many years.
124	When The Laughter StopsYard Act		A socially critical post-punk band from Leeds
125	Lived A LieYou Me At Six		A five-member rock band popular in the UK
126	Damaged GoodsGang Of Four		Post-punk band with punk influences; socially critical music
127	Owner Of A Lonely HeartYES		A song by Yes reached number one in the UK.
128	One Step BeyondMadness		Ska music’s masterpiece elevated into pop
129	Song 2Blur		Blur is a representative band of Britpop.
130	Waking The DemonBullet For My Valentine		Fierce and beautiful music by a metalcore band
131	Take Me OutFranz Ferdinand		A Scottish dance-rock band rises in popularity.
132	Over and overHot Chip		An experimental electro-pop band
133	Story of My LifeOne Direction		The Success Story of a Boys Group Popular with Teens
134	We Are TimeThe Pop Group		The Pop Group, pioneers of post-punk
135	Sympathy For The DevilThe Rolling Stones		The Rolling Stones: Legendary 60 Years
136	All For OneThe Stone Roses		A rock band that changed British music in the 1980s
137	Silly Love SongsWings		Paul McCartney's hit songs
138	The CutterEcho & the Bunnymen		The music of Echo & the Bunnymen
139	I’ll stand By youPretenders		The Pretenders' moving classic
140	Com On Feel The NoizeSlade		Classic songs covered by metal bands
141	Who Are You?The Who		Legendary bands of the ’60s and ’70s that captivated the world
142	Train Kept a Rollin’The Yardbirds		The Yardbirds, legends of rock
143	Young GirlsPINS		UK girls' rock bands have a unique musical style.
144	A Winter Shade of PaleProcol Harum		A famous masterpiece known for its classic-style melody
145	DakotaStereophonics		A popular rock band from Wales
146	Little LiesFleetwood Mac		The world’s top-selling rock band, relatively little-known in Japan
147	Something About YouLevel 42		A mature, rock-style and distinctive song becomes a hit.