Popular French bands. Recommended groups.

HeartbeatTahiti 80

Tahiti 80 – Heartbeat

If you like indie pop and indie rock, I recommend Tahiti 80, a French band that debuted in 1998.

They didn’t just make their mark in France; in 2000 they also debuted in the UK, the United States, and Japan, and performed at Japan’s famous Summer Sonic festival that same year.

In 2013, they also appeared at another renowned Japanese rock festival, Fuji Rock Festival.

It’s relatively rare for a French band, but one of the great things about Tahiti 80 is that you can often catch them live in Japan and enjoy their performances in person.

Waters Of NazarethJustice

Justice – Waters Of Nazareth – † (Official Audio)

Justice is an electro-house duo formed in Paris, France.

Active since 2003, they are notably popular in Japan—one highlight being their 2008 release “DVNO,” which was featured in a NTT Docomo mobile phone commercial.

They also performed at Japan’s famous rock festival Fuji Rock in 2007 and at Summer Sonic in 2008.

Many of their tracks emphasize a powerful beat and feel exhilarating, so they’re highly recommended when you want to boost your mood!

SIBLINGSGush

GUSH – SIBLINGS [Clip Officiel]

Gush is a French indie rock band, and their high-pitched vocals are very pleasant and beautiful to listen to, making them a band I especially recommend to women.

Many of their songs are grand and evocative of Europe’s great natural landscapes, and they seem like the kind of band that could lift your spirits when you listen during your commute.

Les Hautes RumiéresFauve

FAUVE ≠ LES HAUTES LUMIÈRES

FAUVE, a popular French arts collective shrouded in a mysterious aura, has captivated audiences worldwide.

Formed in Paris in 2010, they produce both music and video, drawing attention with their storytelling-rich expression.

Their debut EP “BLIZZARD,” released in 2013, entered the French Top 20, and they achieved a full-scale breakthrough with the 2014 album “VIEUX FRÈRES – Partie 1.” On stage, they consist of five musicians and a video artist, and as a flexible collective, sometimes more than 20 members take part.

Their restrained media presence and anonymity are also part of their appeal.

They’re highly recommended for those who value narrative and musicality.

Set It StraightChunk! No, Captain Chunk!

Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! – Set It Straight (Live Tour Video)

Amid the 2000s metalcore boom, many bands emerged that fused the relentlessly upbeat melodies of pop punk with the aggressive sound that followed metalcore and screamo.

A Day to Remember is a well-known example, but if we’re talking French bands, it has to be Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! With their distinctive name—reportedly a quote from the classic film The Goonies—their high-energy sound described above is often called “easycore.” Even here in Japan, early listeners took notice from their debut, and after releasing their 2010 debut album Something for Nothing, they quickly joined the ranks of fan favorites.

Although they went on a temporary hiatus, they resumed activity in 2019 and successfully released their fourth album, Gone Are the Good Days, in 2021.

In a French scene often associated with stylish rock bands like Phoenix and Tahiti 80, they’re a rare presence, delivering a sound that stands shoulder to shoulder with American bands.

Sirens callCats on Trees

Cats On Trees – Sirens Call (Official Video)

Cats on Trees is a duo formed in 2007 consisting of piano-vocals and rhythm.

The vocalist, Nina, is particularly striking in appearance, and their music is pop and beautiful, making it perfect for women listeners and as background music in calm, stylish venues.

Let’s Go To WorkElectro Deluxe

Electro Deluxe Big Band – Let’s Go To Work (Live In Paris)

They’re a band I personally love, and I can’t understand why they’re so little-known.

The video is from a concert, and you can really feel how much fun both the performers and the audience are having.

When you hear the full-throttle vocals of that slightly shady-looking older gentleman over an energetic jazz-funk band, you can’t help but jump up with them.

Their skill, taste, and performance are outstanding, and they’re one of the bands I’d love to see introduced more in Japan.