[2025] A roundup of recommended UK bands, featuring many up-and-coming artists!
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!
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[2025] A roundup of recommended British bands: lots of up-and-coming acts too! (91–100)
RocksPrimal Scream
Primal Scream is a rock band from Scotland that debuted in 1987.
Going beyond the bounds of rock, they showcase a wide-ranging sound that varies completely from album to album, incorporating elements like electronic and funk.
Even as their career has progressed, they’ve remained a staunch band that doesn’t abandon the style of their youth.
Public ImagePublic Image Ltd
Public Image Ltd, who shocked the UK music scene.
Formed in 1978 around John Lydon, formerly of the Sex Pistols, the band is known as a pioneer of post-punk.
Their debut single “Public Image” instantly drew attention with its distinctive sound.
The album Metal Box is characterized by dub-influenced basslines and icy guitar tones, and it received high praise from critics.
In the 1980s they produced numerous hits and, with their experimental musical approach, influenced many artists.
This band is recommended for those drawn to a unique worldview and innovative sound.
[2025] A roundup of recommended bands from the UK. Plenty of up-and-coming acts too! (101–110)
BodiesSEX PISTOLS
The Sex Pistols left an indelible mark on the history of punk rock.
One of the most iconic bands to come out of the UK, they formed in London in 1975.
Their active period lasted only two and a half years, but their influence is immeasurable.
Released in May 1977, God Save the Queen became a symbol of Britain’s social and political turmoil, causing such a shock that it was banned from airplay by almost every radio station, including the BBC.
Their album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, released the same year, hit number one on the UK charts.
It remains a landmark of punk rock to this day.
If you want to challenge society with provocative words and music, this is the perfect band for you.
Beautiful OnesSuede
Suede is a British rock band said to carry David Bowie’s DNA.
Their debut album shot straight to No.
1 on the UK charts, igniting the Britpop boom of the 1990s.
Due to discord among members, they have broken up and reunited multiple times.
Breakfast in AmericaSupertramp
The album Breakfast in America, which shares its title with the song, became a massive hit worldwide, but it doesn’t seem to be very well known in Japan.
Riding the momentum of that album, the next release also hit number one across various parts of Europe.
The band’s songs are centered around keyboard tones, giving them a laid-back rock vibe.
After The Love Has GoneTen
The biggest selling point of this band is, without a doubt, Gary Hughes’s sweet, heartrending vocals and the thoroughly lyrical melodies.
The talk box guitar and the keyboards that bolster the band’s sound show a strong influence from Bon Jovi and Journey, but the melodies—many times more emotional than those—are exquisite.
This track is included on their 1996 debut album.
NocturneTesseracT
A progressive metal band formed in 2007.
They hold a crucial position in discussions of the djent genre, and their multidimensional worldbuilding has been at the cutting edge since their inception.
Their unique songs—driven by low-tuned, palm-muted guitar work, an unshakable rhythm section, and mystical vocals—transport listeners to another dimension.