Coldplay is arguably one of the most well-known and popular bands in the world. Since 1997, they have rocked the international airwaves and created music that will stand the test of time.
If you love Coldplay and want to find some more similar bands then you’re in the right place. Below, we’ve put together a list of our favorite bands like Coldplay. Check them out below.
1. Keane
Formed in 1995, Keane burst into the international music scene in 2004 with their album Hopes and Fears, for which they won the Brit Award for Best British Album.
They then dropped the album Under the Iron Sea in 2006, which topped the UK charts and debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
After releasing a compilation album with their best hits in 2013, Keane took a five-year hiatus as a band. In 2018, they got the band back together and released Cause and Effect in 2019. In all, Keane has sold 13 million albums worldwide.
2. The Fray
Our second band, The Fray, began in 2002 when two American schoolmates, Isaac Slade and Joe King, formed it at school.
Three years later, The Fray released their debut album, How to Save a Life, announcing to the world their mix of traditional and alternative rock music styles.
Despite not being released as a single from the album, the song “How to Save a Life” was featured on Grey’s Anatomy and Scrubs, launching it into the spotlight. The track became a top 40 hit in 2006.
In 2019, Slade revealed the band would be going on hiatus since they had fulfilled their five-record deal with their label, and the members wanted to explore other avenues.
3. OneRepublic
American band OneRepublic was formed by famed producer and writer Ryan Tedder and five others. They found their first taste of fame on MySpace as an unsigned band in 2002.
In 2007, the band released its debut album, Dreaming Out Loud, with its lead single, “Apologize,” becoming an international success. It earned the band its first Grammy nomination, and the album became RIAA Platinum certified.
In 2013, OneRepublic released its third album, Native. It became their first Billboard 200 album, peaking in the top 10. The single “Counting Stars” became internationally popular with the top-five chartings in America, Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the UK, and New Zealand.
At present, OnRepublic is still making music. Currently in the works is its sixth studio album, which is set to be released around the summer of 2023.
4. Snow Patrol
Rock band Snow Patrol was formed by Northern Irish and Scottish members in 1994. Lead vocalist Gary Lightbody first created the band with schoolmates at the University of Dundee in Scotland.
After various self-releases and band members switching in and out, the band released their first major label album, Final Straw, in 2002. Four years later, the band released their second album, Eyes Open, which featured the internationally beloved single “Chasing Cars.”
Throughout their history, Snow Patrol has won seven Meteor Ireland Music Awards and has been nominated for six Brit Awards and two Grammys. The group is also known to be philanthropic to causes like Mencap and the Music Beats Mines Project.
5. Kodaline
Irish rock group Kodaline was originally called 21 Demands but changed its name to coincide with the style shift the band embraced. The band is now best described as indie rock or alternative rock.
After six years as 21 Demands, the band’s rebrand came with an EP and a hit single in 2012. The single “All I Want” was used in Grey’s Anatomy, and “Remember the Time” was the soundtrack to Google’s Year in Review video of 2012.
At present, the band released four studio albums and one live album and had won a number of awards, including the EBBA Public Choice Award in 2014. Over the years, Kodaline has had ten songs featured in 21 different films or television shows!
6. Travis
The Scottish rock band known as Travis formed in 1993. Their ascension into mainstream success came in 1998 with their second album, The Man Who. The album was awarded Best Album at the 2000 Brit Awards.
The band suffered a major setback in 2002 when the drummer, Neil Primrose, dove headfirst into a shallow swimming pool in France shortly after a show. He broke his neck and almost died from the spinal damage. Despite the harrowing accident, Primrose has made a full recovery.
After the accident, Travis regrouped and pivoted with their direction and style. The band continues to release music, but each member has explored other collaborative projects with other acts and even released solo music.
7. U2
Another Irish rock band, U2, is one of the most storied bands of all time. Their frontman, Bono, is a legend in his own right for his stage presence, vocal ability, and general public image. The band was formed in 1976 and has sold an estimated 150 to 170 million records worldwide.
Their fifth studio album, The Joshua Tree, is one of the best-selling albums in United States history. They are the 22nd highest-selling artist in United States history based on RIAA certifications.
U2 dominated the alternative rock scene in the 1980s and are well-known for being massive musical influences on most of the bands on this list and many more! They have also worked with several other artists, like Robbie Robertson and Roy Orbison, in addition to their work.
8. Athlete
English indie rock group Athlete’s lifespan was relatively short based on other bands on our list, but their impact on the British music scene should be remembered.
Formed in 2000, the group dropped their first album, called Vehicles and Animals, in 2003. It was met with a lot of praise from the public but received some criticism from those in the industry.
During the group’s active career, they released four studio albums, including the #1 hit Tourist in 2005, which sold over 500,000 copies and gained Platinum status.
Since 2013, Athlete has been on an indefinite hiatus. Their frontman Joel Pott has been working as a songwriter for other acts, and other band members have taken on other personal endeavors.
9. Doves
Manchester, England-based band Doves are best described as indie rock. The group emerged in 1998 with their first album, Lost Souls, and made their second album, The Last Broadcast, just two years later, which hit #1 on the UK Albums Chart.
In 2010, the band went on a break and members began working on individual projects. They then reunited eight years later for a few shows, which ended the hiatus.
The last album Dove released was The Universal Want in 2020, which charted at #1 in its first week. However, it is unclear where the band stands at present.
10. Imagine Dragons
American pop-rock group Imagine Dragons’ first big break came when Pat Monahan of Train got sick before the Bite of Las Vegas Festival in 2009. They were asked to fill Train’s spot and performed in their first big event in front of 26,000 people!
Imagine Dragon’s first album, Night Visions, was released in 2012 and featured top hits of that year, including “Radioactive” and “Demons.” The music magazine Rolling Stone named them the top rock hit of the year in 2012.
The Las Vegas band has so far won three American Music Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, one Grammy Award, one MTV Music Award, and one World Music Award, among many other accolades.
At present, they have sold more than 75 million records worldwide and continue to make charting music, the latest of which is the Mercury – Act 1 (2022).
11. Maroon 5
Formed in 1994, Maroon 5 emerged from Los Angeles, California, to become one of the best-known pop rock groups since the turn of the century.
They debuted in 2002 with Songs About Jane, which landed at #6 on Billboard 200 but topped in other charts around the world, including the UK, Australia, and Ireland. It contained two of their first top-five hits, “She Will Be Loved” and “This Love.”
In the 2010s, Maroon 5 continuously released #1 and #2 singles, like “Moves Like Jagger,” “Payphone,” “One More Night,” “Sugar,” and “Girls Like You.” This latter song won them four Billboard Music Awards.
12. Oasis
British rock band Oasis was formed by Liam Gallagher and other members, one of which was later his brother Noel Gallagher.
Formed in 1991, Oasis hit the height of their fame in the late 1990s. They won six Brit Awards, including the British Breakthrough Act in 1995, British Video of the Year for their hit “Wonderwall” in 1996, and the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award in 2006.
Oasis is known as one of the most prolific and influential British rock bands in history. The band dissolved in 2009 after seven albums and eight tours, but their mark is forever left on the rock music genre.
13. The Script
We end this list with The Script, an Irish rock band that formed in 2001 and debuted their self-titled first album in 2008 to much success.
Led by frontman Danny O’Donahue, The Script has won several awards for their work, including World Music Awards, Meteor Ireland Music Awards, BMI Pop Awards, and EBBA Awards.
In 2010, their single “Breakeven” became a hit around the world, eventually becoming certified Platinum by the RIAA. Their second and third albums performed just as well, and the band is still touring and making music today!
Summing Up Our List Of Bands Like Coldplay
Though Coldplay is undoubtedly one of the most popular Britpop rock bands of all time, as you have read above, some bands also made waves in that musical era and genre.
We hope you give the music of these groups a listen. Who knows? You might find a new band to follow or more songs to add to your playlist.
