[2025] A roundup of recommended UK bands, featuring many up-and-coming artists!

Where Do I StandThe Montrose Avenue

The Montrose Avenue – Where Do I Stand (Official video)

Formed in 1996 and based in Wokingham, the band is characterized by rich harmonies created by the three singers up front and emotionally charged melodic lines.

The bass constantly undulates behind the vocals to generate a unique groove, and the guitar, which steps forward at key moments, is also outstanding.

The PeopleThe Music

The People

The Music is a British rock band known for its blend of rock and dance music.

They debuted with a self-titled album, and in that same year visited Japan; their overwhelming, sold-out performance at the Fuji Rock Festival is still talked about today.

We Are TimeThe Pop Group

The Pop Group – (1979) – We Are Time

Formed in Bristol, England, in 1977, The Pop Group are pioneers of post-punk, drawing on a wide range of influences including punk, dub, and funk.

With Mark Stewart on vocals, they released their debut album, Y, in 1979 and attracted attention with singles like She Is Beyond Good and Evil.

Though their work integrated radical political ideas and achieved only limited commercial success, they influenced many artists, including Sonic Youth and Massive Attack.

In 2010, they reunited with support from Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons.

They’re a recommended band for anyone interested in experimental music.

BreatheThe Prodigy

The Prodigy – Breathe (Live in Tokyo 2008)

The Prodigy is a techno-rock band from England.

They actively experimented with a fusion of rock and techno, and their third album, The Fat of the Land, is acclaimed as a landmark in dance music.

They also became the first dance act in history to headline the Glastonbury Festival.

Sympathy For The DevilThe Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones – Sympathy For The Devil (Live) – OFFICIAL

The Rolling Stones, the legendary rock band that Britain is proud of.

Since forming in London in 1962, they have led the global music scene for over 60 years.

They made their debut in 1963 with a Chuck Berry cover, and soon after took the world by storm with signature songs like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Often cast as the “devils” in contrast to The Beatles, their music—thrilling rock ’n’ roll grounded in R&B and blues—has never lost its luster.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, and in 2022 embarked on a commemorative tour celebrating the 60th anniversary of their formation.

Timeless and beloved across generations, their catalog is filled with gem-like classics that every rock fan should hear.

All For OneThe Stone Roses

The Stone Roses – All For One (Official Audio)

From Manchester, The Stone Roses were a band that revolutionized the late-1980s music scene.

With their unique sound that fused guitar pop and dance beats, they wrote a new chapter in the history of UK rock.

Their 1989 debut album, The Stone Roses, drew mixed reviews at the time but later came to be regarded as a milestone of British music.

Incorporating elements of reggae, dub, and hip-hop, their music captivates with the intricate arrangements woven by John Squire’s guitar and Reni’s drums.

Paired with Ian Brown’s cool vocals, they created a world entirely their own.

They’re a band I’d recommend even to those who prefer straightforward rock.

Wasted Little DJ’sThe View

The View – Wasted Little DJ’s (Video)

The View is a rock band from Scotland.

With their debut album, they shot straight to No.

1 on the UK charts and stirred up excitement across the country as promising young leaders of a “slightly delayed rock ’n’ roll revival.” They are counted among the UK’s most popular bands in both name and reality.