[2025] Female-vocal Western music bands. Featuring many rock and metal bands too!
Throughout the history of the rock and metal scenes—often said to be male-dominated—women have never stopped fighting.
In recent years, bands with women at the front, singing with a unique perspective—at times powerfully, at times beautifully—seem to be drawing more attention than ever.
In Japan as well, bands like BABYMETAL, BAND-MAID, LOVEBITES, and Hanabie.
are making waves, even taking the stage at world-class rock festivals.
Many of you may have found yourselves becoming more interested in Western bands with female vocals.
In this article, with a focus on rock and metal, we introduce bands with outstanding female vocalists—from promising newcomers to timeless legends! Even if you’re new to Western music, be sure to check them out.
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[2025] Female-fronted Western music bands. Many rock and metal bands introduced! (21–30)
BarracudaHeart
Heart is a rock band centered around the Wilson sisters, Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson.
They have produced a wide range of songs, from orthodox rock to hard rock and socially conscious folk rock.
They are often regarded as pioneers of female vocals in rock bands, and in 2013 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Barracuda is one of their signature songs, a work that, while delicate, is richly infused with elements of hard rock.
HeavyFlorence Road
Florence Road, a four-piece band of childhood friends from Ireland, formed in 2019.
Cutting their teeth with garage rehearsals, they steadily honed their skills and drew attention by posting cover songs, and now they’re showing signs of a global breakthrough.
Rooted in alternative/indie rock, they self-released their first single in 2022.
Their major-label debut, Heavy, released in March 2025, racked up over 10 million likes on TikTok and rapidly boosted their profile.
Their deal with Warner Music can be seen as proof that the industry holds their talent in high regard.
With vocalist Lily Aron’s piercing, affecting voice—evoking The Cranberries and Phoebe Bridgers—and the band’s powerful sound, they embody the next generation of indie rock.
If you love emotional music, this is a band you absolutely need to check out.
[2025] Female-vocal Western bands. Many rock and metal bands featured! (31–40)
Lick the StarGlixen
Emerging from Arizona and garnering major attention in the US shoegaze scene, Grixen is a band to watch.
Since launching in 2020, they’ve made their mark with a signature contrast between engulfing, heavy guitar tones and airy, delicate vocals that float above the mix.
Following their debut EP She Only Said around 2021, they went on to perform at the Coachella festival in 2025.
Their talent is widely recognized, with leading music outlets naming them among “new artists to watch.” On their EP Quiet Pleasures, produced with a renowned producer, you can feel the musical depth—like the beauty of melody shimmering beneath the wall of sound.
Highly recommended for listeners seeking a heavy yet beautiful sound that carries the spirit of ’90s alternative.
ZombieThe Cranberries
The Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in 1989.
They’ve released many songs in genres like alternative rock and folk rock, and are known for their politically charged messages.
Their hit song “Zombie,” released in 1993, features lyrics inspired by the bombing incident that occurred in Warrington.
It’s a highly message-driven work, so be sure to check out the Japanese translation as well.
Celebrity SkinHole
This is the band that Courtney Love—also known for being married to Kurt Cobain—was in.
“Celebrity Skin” is one of Hole’s signature songs, and its catchy melody that emerges from the hard sound is particularly striking.
Make A MoveIcon For Hire
A song by the American indie rock band Icon For Hire, known for their striking pink hair and a sound that refuses to be confined by genre—blending punk, loud rock, emo, and electro.
With a guitar tone that feels somehow nostalgic and a powerful female vocal distinct from typical male-led rock, it’s a track that rock fans can’t help but respond to for its loud, assertive musicality.
Its speed and catchiness lift your spirits—a rock tune you’ll want to play over and over again.
DoomsdaySunday (1994)
An indie trio from the Los Angeles scene, they captivate with a dreamy atmosphere.
Carrying on the lineage of The Sundays and Mazzy Star while adding a modern twist, their sound feels like delightfully quirky dream pop.
Their debut EP, “Sunday (1994),” released in 2024, and their first track, “Tired Boy,” have enchanted many listeners with themes of forbidden love and wistful melancholy.
The fact that their first live show in October 2024 sold out immediately speaks to their rising profile.
Blending reverence for past music with contemporary sensibilities, their work is irresistible for listeners who want to sink into a nostalgic soundscape.
There’s no doubt they’re poised for even greater heights—keep an eye on them!