The Most Famous Indie Band, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the indie band you think is the most famous!
Updated on Apr 24, 2024 08:18
In the dynamic world of music, indie bands have carved out a niche that resonates with listeners looking for something outside the mainstream. They strike a chord with their unique sounds and profound lyrics, often conveying stories and emotions not found in commercial music. Yet, with so many bands emerging, it can be challenging for fans to identify which ones truly stand out and deserve more attention.
By participating in community-driven rankings, fans can share their passion and support for their favorite indie bands. This not only helps new listeners find recommended bands but also gives smaller artists a bigger stage to showcase their talent. Every vote cast is a step towards shaping the musical landscape, ensuring that the most deserving bands gain the recognition they need to thrive.
Who Is the Most Famous Indie Band?
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121votesWith a career spanning over three decades, Radiohead is one of the most influential and successful indie bands of all time. Their unique sound and experimental approach have won them critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.Radiohead is a British rock band known for their experimental and boundary-pushing music. Formed in 1985 in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, the band has garnered a massive following and critical acclaim over the years. With their distinct sound that incorporates elements of alternative rock, electronica, and art rock, Radiohead has become one of the most influential bands in contemporary music.
- Genre: Alternative rock, art rock, experimental rock
- Active Years: 1985 - Present
- Albums Released: 9 studio albums
- Commercial Success: Multiple platinum albums
- Critical Acclaim: Numerous awards and accolades
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236votesThis Canadian indie rock band has won numerous awards, including a Grammy for Best Album. Their epic sound and passionate lyrics have made them a favorite of indie music fans worldwide.Arcade Fire is a renowned alternative band known for their indie rock sound and captivating performances. The band was formed in 2001 in Montreal, Canada. Their music often incorporates a wide range of instruments and combines heartfelt lyrics with anthemic melodies.
- Genre: Alternative rock
- Formed: 2001
- Origin: Montreal, Canada
- Members: Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury, Will Butler, Jeremy Gara, Sarah Neufeld
Arcade Fire in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most successful Canadian band
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous person in Quebec
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320votesOften credited with reviving the garage rock sound in the early 2000s, The Strokes are one of the most iconic indie bands of the past two decades. Their debut album, "Is This It," is considered a classic of the genre.
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49votesKnown for their catchy hooks and literary references, Vampire Weekend has become one of the most popular indie bands of the past decade. Their unique blend of indie rock, pop, and world music has won them fans around the globe.
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515votes
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0This American indie band has been praised for their emotionally charged lyrics and lush, atmospheric sound. Their albums have consistently received critical acclaim and commercial success. -
611votes
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic MonkeysHailing from Sheffield, England, Arctic Monkeys burst onto the indie scene in the mid-2000s with their debut album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." Their clever lyrics and catchy hooks have made them one of the most successful indie bands of the past decade.Arctic Monkeys is a British alternative rock band that rose to prominence in the mid-2000s. Known for their energetic sound and witty lyrics, the band has been influential in the indie rock and post-punk revival scenes. Their music often combines catchy guitar riffs with Alex Turner's distinctive vocals, creating a unique and dynamic sound.- Formation Year: 2002
- Origin: Sheffield, England
- Genres: Alternative rock, indie rock, post-punk revival
- Active Years: 2002 - present
- Members: Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O'Malley, Matt Helders
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713votes
Tame Impala
Kevin ParkerKevin Parker's psychedelic project Tame Impala has become one of the most popular indie bands of the past decade, thanks to their dreamy sound and catchy melodies. Their latest album, "The Slow Rush," was released to critical acclaim in 2020.Tame Impala is a critically acclaimed Australian psychedelic music project. The band is known for blending elements of rock, pop, and electronic music to create a unique sound. Their music often features dreamy, atmospheric melodies, catchy hooks, and introspective lyrics. Tame Impala's style has been compared to iconic 60s and 70s psychedelic rock bands, while also incorporating modern production techniques.- Formed in: 2007
- Genre: Psychedelic rock, pop, electronic
- Origin: Perth, Australia
- Number of members: 1 (Kevin Parker is the primary songwriter and instrumentalist)
- Debut album: Innerspeaker (2010)
Tame Impala in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular psychedelic rock band
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular band in Australia
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813votesLed by singer/songwriter James Mercer, The Shins have been making critically acclaimed indie rock for over two decades. Their classic albums, "Oh, Inverted World" and "Chutes Too Narrow," are beloved by fans around the world.
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97votesFormed in Chicago in 1994, Wilco has become one of the most respected and influential indie bands of all time. Their unique blend of alt-country, rock, and experimental music has won them fans around the world.
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104votes
Abraham Oosten · CC BY-SA 3.0Although they only released two albums in the 1990s, Neutral Milk Hotel has become one of the most beloved and influential indie bands of all time. Their album "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" is considered a masterpiece of the genre.
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Ranking factors for famous indie band
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Critical acclaimThe band should have received critical acclaim from music journalists and experts for their music, lyrics, and performances.
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Commercial successThe band should have achieved commercial success with their albums and singles. This could be measured by chart performance, record sales, and streaming numbers.
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Cultural impactThe band should have influenced and contributed to the indie music culture. This could be measured by how many other bands have been influenced by them, how many festivals they have headlined, and how many awards they have won.
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LongevityThe band should have been active for a significant amount of time and have released several albums over the years.
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FanbaseThe band should have a dedicated and passionate fan base that supports their music and attends their concerts.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous indie band. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or indie band is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1105 views
- 149 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each indie band once every 24 hours. The rank of each indie band is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous indie band
Indie music has been growing in popularity over the years, and with it, indie bands have been gaining more recognition in the music industry. These bands are known for their unique sound and style, often straying away from mainstream trends and breaking new ground in music. With so many indie bands out there, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most famous. That's where StrawPoll comes in. We've gathered data from thousands of polls and rankings to determine which indie band reigns supreme in terms of fame and popularity. So, who will come out on top? Keep reading to find out!
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