The Most Popular Band in Australia, Ranked

Choose the band you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:29
Music enthusiasts often debate about the top bands from Australia, each arguing in favor of their personal tastes and preferences. Having an organized ranking system helps to shed light on the current musical landscape, revealing which groups are capturing the hearts and playlists of listeners across the nation. The dynamic nature of the music industry means that new bands are constantly emerging and popular trends shift regularly. By casting your vote, you'll contribute to a clearer picture of today's musical hierarchy in Australia and help others find new music that resonates with the broader public.

What Is the Most Popular Band in Australia?

  1. 1
    73
    votes
    One of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time, AC/DC has sold over 200 million records worldwide. They have had numerous chart-topping albums and hit songs, including "Highway to Hell" and "Back in Black."
    AC/DC is a highly influential and iconic Australian rock band that was formed in Sydney in 1973. Known for their high-energy performances, powerful vocals, and hard-hitting guitar riffs, they have become one of the most successful and enduring bands in the history of rock music.
    • Genre: Rock
    • Formed: 1973
    • Origin: Sydney, Australia
    • Members: Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, Phil Rudd, Stevie Young
    • Albums Released: 16 studio albums
  2. 2
    24
    votes
    INXS was one of the most popular bands of the 80s, with hits such as "Need You Tonight" and "New Sensation." They have sold over 50 million records worldwide and were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2001.
    INXS is a renowned Australian rock band that was active from 1977 to 2012. They achieved great success locally and internationally, making them one of the most popular bands to emerge from Australia.
    • Genre: Rock
    • Formed: 1977
    • Origin: Sydney, Australia
    • Active Years: 1977-2012
    • Members: 6
  3. 3
    6
    votes
    Known for their politically charged lyrics and energetic live performances, Midnight Oil was one of the most successful Australian bands of the 80s and 90s. They have sold over 10 million records worldwide and are known for hits such as "Beds Are Burning" and "Blue Sky Mine."
    Midnight Oil is an iconic Australian rock band known for their energetic live performances and politically charged lyrics. They rose to prominence in the 1980s and continued to make a significant impact on both the Australian and international music scene. The band's music often addresses social and environmental issues, showcasing their advocacy for various causes.
    • Genre: Rock
    • Active Years: 1972 - Present
    • Origin: Sydney, Australia
    • Number of Studio Albums: 11
    • Number of Top 10 Albums in Australia: 10
  4. 4
    8
    votes
    Formed in 1992, Silverchair quickly rose to fame with their debut album "Frogstomp." They have sold over 9 million records worldwide and are known for hits such as "Tomorrow" and "Ana's Song (Open Fire)."
    Silverchair is a renowned Australian rock band known for their distinctive grunge and alternative rock sound. They emerged in the mid-1990s as teenagers, quickly gaining popularity both in Australia and internationally. The band's music is characterized by strong melodies, raw energy, and introspective lyrics that resonate with a wide audience.
    • Genre: Grunge, alternative rock
    • Active Years: 1992 - 2011 (On a hiatus since then)
    • Albums Released: 5 studio albums
    • Debut Album: Frogstomp (1995)
    • Breakthrough Singles: Tomorrow, Pure Massacre
  5. 5
    11
    votes
    One of the most successful Australian bands of the 90s and 2000s, Powderfinger has released numerous hit albums and singles, including "My Happiness" and "These Days." They have won multiple ARIA Awards and sold over 2.5 million records in Australia alone.
    Powderfinger is a renowned rock band from Australia. Formed in 1989 in Brisbane, the band gained immense popularity throughout the 1990s and 2000s. They are best known for their distinctive sound, combining elements of rock, pop, and alternative genres. With heartfelt and introspective lyrics, their music often explored themes of love, politics, and social issues.
    • Active Years: 1989-2010
    • Hometown: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    • Genre: Rock, alternative rock, post-grunge
    • Albums Released: 7
    • Most Popular Songs: My Happiness, These Days, On My Mind
  6. 6
    14
    votes
    Led by singer-songwriter Neil Finn, Crowded House was one of the most successful bands of the late 80s and early 90s. They are known for hits such as "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Weather with You" and have sold over 10 million records worldwide.
    Crowded House is a renowned rock band from Australia, known for their distinct sound blending pop, rock, and folk influences. They have achieved significant commercial success both in Australia and internationally, with a string of hit songs and albums.
    • Genre: Rock
    • Origin: Melbourne, Australia
    • Years active: 1985 - 1996, 2006 - present
    • Members: Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, and various other members throughout the years
    • Albums: They released 7 studio albums, including the self-titled debut album 'Crowded House' (1986) and 'Woodface' (1991)
    Crowded House in other rankings
  7. 7
    6
    votes
    The Bee Gees
    NBC Television · Public domain
    Although they were born in England, The Bee Gees spent much of their childhood in Australia and began their musical career there. They are one of the most successful and influential groups of all time, with hits such as "Stayin' Alive" and "How Deep Is Your Love."
    The Bee Gees were a highly successful pop music group from Australia. They achieved international fame and became one of the most popular bands in the world. The band's distinctive sound combined elements of pop, rock, disco, and R&B, and they were known for their tight harmonies and catchy melodies.
    • Genre: Pop, rock, disco, R&B
    • Active Years: 1958-2003 (Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb), 2009-present (Barry Gibb)
    • Origin: Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia
    • Members: Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb (1958-2003), Vince Melouney (1966-1969), Colin Petersen (1967-1972)
    • Record Label: Polydor, ATCO, RSO, Warner Bros., Capitol
    The Bee Gees in other rankings
  8. 8
    2
    votes
    Men at Work
    MTV · Public domain
    Best known for their hit song "Down Under," Men at Work was one of the most successful Australian bands of the 80s. They won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1983 and have sold over 30 million records worldwide.
    Men at Work was an Australian rock band formed in 1979 and active until 1986. The band achieved international success in the early 1980s with their catchy pop rock sound and iconic music videos. They are best known for their hit songs 'Down Under' and 'Who Can It Be Now?'.
    • Years Active: 1979-1986
    • Genres: Pop rock, new wave
    • Origin: Melbourne, Australia
    • Record Label: Columbia
    • Members: Colin Hay, Ron Strykert, Jerry Speiser, Greg Ham, John Rees, Greg Sneddon
  9. 9
    4
    votes
    The Angels
    HerSilverHammer · Public domain
    Formed in the 70s, The Angels are one of the most successful and influential Australian rock bands of all time. They are known for hits such as "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again" and "No Secrets" and have sold over 1.5 million records in Australia alone.
  10. 10
    6
    votes

    Tame Impala

    Kevin Parker
    Formed in 2007, Tame Impala has quickly become one of the most popular and critically acclaimed bands in Australia. They are known for their psychedelic rock sound and have released multiple hit albums, including "Lonerism" and "Currents."
    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

Missing your favorite band?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular band

  1. Streaming numbers and online presence
    Nowadays, a band's popularity can be highly impacted by their online presence and streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and others. A high number of streams and followers indicates a strong fan base.
  2. Concert attendance and tour success
    The popularity of a band can be measured by the number of people attending their concerts and the success of their tours, both in Australia and internationally.
  3. Music awards and recognition
    A popular band is likely to receive music awards (such as ARIA Awards in Australia) and other forms of recognition, which indicate that both fans and industry professionals appreciate their work.
  4. Radio airplay
    The number of times a band's songs are played on radio stations can also be an indicator of their popularity. The more airplay they receive, the more likely they are to be a popular choice among listeners.
  5. Social media following and engagement
    A strong presence on social media platforms, and the level of engagement with their fans, can be a good indicator of a band's popularity. This includes factors like the number of followers, likes, shares, comments, and overall interaction.
  6. Critical acclaim and reviews
    Receiving positive reviews from music critics and publications can contribute to a band's popularity, and shows that their music is well-received by experts within the industry.
  7. Longevity and influence
    A popular band's career longevity and their influence on other artists and the industry as a whole can also be taken into account. A band that continues to produce quality music and remains relevant over an extended period of time is more likely to be considered popular.
  8. Collaboration and commercial partnerships
    The willingness of other artists and brands to work with a band can also be indicative of their popularity. These partnerships show that a band is perceived as having a significant level of influence and success.
  9. Fan base and cultural impact
    Finally, the passion and devotion of a band's fan base, and the band's wider impact on popular culture and society, can also play a part in determining their popularity in Australia.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular band in Australia. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or band is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2310 views
  • 153 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each band once every 24 hours. The rank of each band is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular band in australia

Australia has a vibrant music scene that has produced some of the most iconic bands of all time. From rock legends like AC/DC and INXS to pop sensations like Kylie Minogue and Sia, Australian musicians have made a significant impact on the global music industry. But when it comes to determining the most popular band in Australia, opinions vary. While some might argue that the aforementioned acts are the top contenders, others might point to more recent artists like Tame Impala or 5 Seconds of Summer. One way to gauge the popularity of bands in Australia is through StrawPoll, a platform that allows users to create and participate in online polls. With thousands of polls and rankings already hosted on the site, StrawPoll is a valuable resource for anyone looking to explore the music tastes of Australians. So, what is the most popular band in Australia according to StrawPoll? Keep reading to find out.

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