[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 bands from the UK. Plenty of up-and-coming acts too! (21–30)
ConcordeBlack Country, New Road
A seven-piece band formed in London in 2018 that has brought a fresh breeze to the UK rock scene.
Their appeal lies in an original sound that fuses a wide range of styles, including post-punk, math rock, jazz, and klezmer.
Their 2021 debut album, “For the First Time,” received high acclaim, and their second album, “Ants From Up There,” released in February 2022, reached No.
3 on the UK charts.
Known for irregular song structures and rich instrumentation, they also have a strong reputation for live performances.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys musical experimentation.
In A RoomDodgy
A three-piece band from London.
Their hallmark is a traditional rock style reminiscent of The Who, Cream, and The Beatles.
It’s included on their third album from 1996.
The sound is a perfect hit for fans of 1960s music.
[2025] A roundup of recommended bands from the UK. Plenty of rising acts too! (31–40)
Common PeoplePulp
They were a band that debuted in 1983, but it wasn’t until this song, ten years later, that they finally reached No.
2 on the UK charts.
They created their own brand of modern pop music and caused a sensation across the UK at the time, but unfortunately they disbanded four years later.
Everything Must GoManic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers are a British alternative rock band.
As their reputation as a band was growing, they went through a difficult period when their guitarist Richey disappeared and was later declared dead.
However, they overcame this and have continued to build their career to the present day, becoming one of the top bands.
You Will RiseSweetback
Sweetback continue their refined sonic adventure.
Formed in London, UK in 1994, the group is a project by three members of the world-renowned band Sade.
They pursue “global soul music” that dissolves genre boundaries, from acid jazz to trip-hop.
Their debut album, Sweetback, was released in 1996, with tracks like “Softly, Softly” attracting attention.
In 2004, they released Stage 2, their first album in eight years.
Their distinctive approach of featuring guest vocalists on each track testifies to their meticulous musicianship and sophisticated musical sensibility.
Perfect for those seeking both dancefloor euphoria and soothing relaxation.
Stayin’ AliveBee Gees
This number, an indispensable disco classic from the late ’70s, was released in 1977 by the British trio of brothers, the Bee Gees.
In Japan, it was also featured in a Honda Odyssey commercial.
Its quintessential ’70s sound is easy to dance to, and its popularity shows no signs of fading even today.
Sky Highjigsaw
It’s a song released in 1975 by the British band Jigsaw.
It was created as the theme song for the film Sky High starring Jimmy Wang, which was released in the same year.
In 1982, it was also used in a commercial for the Toyota LiteAce Wagon.