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Indie rock came into prominence in the 80s paving the way for a new breed of bands from various subgenres in the 90s. Dwell in a detailed perspective on Indie Rock and the best Indie rock bands.
The term ‘indie’ has its roots in the 80s. While the term ‘indie’ is broad-based and attributes to various perspectives of independence, the term comes from the word ‘independent’ referring to bands and artists releasing their music independently on a small budget at hand. Furthermore, the bands belonging to the indie genre in the 80s were known to express different musical styles through their music, and this free form musical experimentation imbibing different musical styles from various genres gives indie rock its unique sound. A number of indie rock music labels mushroomed in the 80s and the trend continued in the 90s. Many indie rock record labels have helped upcoming bands from the post punk and the post grunge/alternative revival to establish firm footing in the music industry by promoting and releasing albums on a low budget.
Indie rock has evolved over the years with the new wave of indie bringing varied aspects lyrically and musically. Towards the late 90s and post 2000 many indie rock bands have achieved mainstream success globally.
Since the 2000s major record companies have tied up with indie record labels to promote and distribute Indie bands and their albums on a larger scale globally. The indie rock phenomenon grew through the alternative and grunge era with many female artists and female bands helping the new wave of indie gain momentum. While indie music does not fall in all things mainstream, many indie rock bands since the 90s have earned mainstream success, thanks to radical music movements being accepted in fragmented culture.
Indie rock bands started making a statement in the 90s with their short song formats incorporating a variety of influences from less popular music genres. Many indie rock bands have become popular performing at college festivals. A large number of indie rock bands have promoted their music through social networks thereby helping reach a global audience of indie enthusiasts. The local indie scene in every country has contributed immensely towards the indie movement become a rage globally. Since the 90s indie music festivals have become a manic rage in the US and Europe. Towards the late 90s indie rock paved the way for indie subgenres, each bringing in a new element to the indie movement. The indie movement helped give birth to emo and other subgenres that have gained momentum since the 2000s.
Indie rock has evolved in every decade since it came into being. While the indie rock movement is relatively new compared with other music genres, the genre has had a significant impact on global audiences, teenagers in particular. In present times Indie rock is one among the biggest underground movements. The cult following indie rock has had over the years is testimony to the fact that this music culture will get bigger in the future. If you are an indie music enthusiast, fasten your seatbelt, the indie tsunami is sure to arrive in the near future.
The list below showcases indie rock bands from the 80s, 90s and 2000s. Deal with a list as a celebration of Indie rock and not a ranking system. Feel free to spew your indie thoughts.
100 Greatest Indie Rock Bands
- Pavement
- Arctic Monkeys
- The Strokes
- Built to Spill
- Arcade Fire
- The Shins
- Modest Mouse
- Death Cab For Cutie
- Belle and Sebastian
- Yo La Tengo
- The Black Keys
- Neutral Milk Hotel
- The Killers
- Bloc Party
- Weezer
- Supergrass
- Kaiser Chiefs
- Frnaz Ferdinand
- Pixies
- Broken Social Scene
- Sonic Youth
- Blur
- Superchunk
- The Vaccines
- Vampire Weekend
- The Decemberists
- Interpol
- Editors
- Girls
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- Beach House
- Foster The People
- The Kooks
- alt-J
- Band of Horses
- Bright Eyes
- The Libertines
- Snow Patrol
- Grizzly Bear
- The National
- Cage the Elephant
- Florence and the Machine
- Spoon
- Dr.Dog
- The Airborne Toxic Event
- Kings of Leon
- Two Door Cinema Club
- Noah and the Whale
- The Fratellis
- Sunny Day Real Estate
- Portugal. The Man
- Imagine Dragons
- The Head and the Heart
- Dinosaur Jr.
- She & Him
- Broken Social Scene
- Sleater- Kinney
- The Antlers
- Deer Tick
- Wilco
- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
- The Mountain Goats
- Okkervil River
- Fugazi
- Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
- Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah
- The Apples In Stereo
- Bombay Bicycle Club
- Elbow
- Cold War Kids
- White Lies
- Brand New
- The Walkmen
- The Faint
- Young The Giant
- Grouplove
- Metric
- The Wombats
- Walk The Moon
- Kasabian
- Deerhunter
- The Temper Trap
- We Are Scientists
- Foals
- The Kills
- The New Pornographers
- Ra Ra Riot
- The Dismemberment Plan
- Girls Against Boys
- The Thermals
- Minus The Bear
- Warpaint
- Archers of Loaf
- Manchester Orchestra
- The Hold Steady
- My Morning Jacket
- The Fiery Furnaces
- Mew
- CSS
- The Subways
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