It’s fair to say there’s no band quite like Radiohead. But if you love their music and want to discover some new artists with a similar sound, who should you listen to?
Well, in this post, we’ve put together a list of 13 amazing bands like Radiohead to help you find some new tunes to add to your next playlist. Let’s get started!
1. Arcade Fire
We begin with an indie rock band from Quebec, Canada—Arcade Fire. Their laidback music and alternative rock sound have been likened to Radiohead’s. Formed in 2003, the group consists of multi-instrumentalists Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, and Richard Reed Parry.
Their debut album, Funeral, was released in 2004, and it became a breakthrough moment for the band. It received widespread critical acclaim for its blend of indie rock and orchestral arrangements.
The five albums following Funeral received even greater recognition and success. These albums—Neon Bible, The Suburbs, Reflektor, Everything Now, and We—topped charts in several countries. This level of praise demonstrates their status as one of the world’s most respected bands today.
Both Arcade Fire and Radiohead have achieved critical acclaim and have a dedicated fan base due to their ability to create stimulating music. While their styles may differ somewhat, fans of Radiohead can certainly appreciate Arcade Fire’s discography.
2. Sigur Rós
Next up, we have an Icelandic band that shares similarities with Radiohead’s post-rock, art-rock sound. The powerhouse group Sigur Rós (meaning “Victory Rose”) was formed in 1994 by Jón Þór Birgisson, Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson, and Georg Hólm.
They have captivated music enthusiasts around the globe with their ethereal soundscapes, provided to you by lead vocalist Birgisson’s unique falsetto singing.
Sigur Rós often sing in a language they’ve developed called Hopelandic, which adds to the enigmatic and universal nature of their songs. The band’s breakthrough album, Ágætis byrjun, in 1999 garnered international acclaim and introduced the world to their mesmerizing sound.
Since then, Sigur Rós has continued to release albums that further explore their atmospheric style. Each studio album (eight in total) is an immersive experience filled with unforgettable melodies and catchy lyrics that touch upon themes of nature, love, and the human condition.
3. The National
Another band that has impacted the alternative rock scene, like Radiohead, is The National. Formed in 1999, the band consists of Matt Berninger, twin brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner, Scott Devendorf, and Bryan Devendorf.
After debuting in 2001, The National was slow to gain their breakthrough until 2007, with the release of Boxer. The album received widespread acclaim and featured songs like “Fake Empire” and “Mistaken for Strangers.” The success of this album led to The National’s growing popularity.
Then three years later, the band released High Violet, which further propelled their success. It became their first album to reach the top five on the Billboard 200 chart (it peaked at #3) and featured standout tracks like “Bloodbuzz Ohio” and “Terrible Love.”
Throughout their career, The National continued to evolve their sound with subsequent albums, earning Grammy nods and a loyal following of fans worldwide.
4. Tame Impala
Formed in 1999 by Kevin Parker and Dominic Simper, Tame Impala is an Australian psychedelic rock band that has garnered comparisons to Radiohead. Renowned for their innovative sound, the band released their debut album in 2010 and has since captivated audiences worldwide.
They followed this up in 2012 with their highly acclaimed album Lonerism. Tame Impala’s third and fourth albums (Currents and The Slow Rush) were even more successful, landing at #1 of Australia’s chart.
Over the years, Tame Impala has received a number of awards and nominations. Both Lonerism and Currents won Album of the Year and Best Album WAMI (Western Australian Music Industry) Awards, respectively.
Their influence on the modern psychedelic and indie rock scene is undeniable, inspiring a new generation of musicians and captivating audiences with their boundary-pushing music.
5. Alt-J
Our next band, Alt-J, is known for their unique sound—a combination of indie rock, folk, electronic music, and experimental pop. They came into the spotlight with the release of their debut album, An Awesome Wave, in 2012. The album received critical acclaim and won the prestigious Mercury Prize in the same year.
Following the success of An Awesome Wave, they dropped This Is All Yours two years later, which further solidified their position in the music industry. The album features many of their popular songs, like “Hunger of the Pine,” “Every Other Freckle,” and “Left Hand Free.”
Currently, Alt-J continues to evolve their sound and experiment with new musical directions, keeping their fans eagerly anticipating their future releases.
6. Muse
The Grammy-winning English rock band Muse shares similarities with Radiohead in their ability to blend alternative rock, art rock, and electronica. However, what sets Muse apart is their incorporation of classical influences, which adds a distinction to their sound.
Since their start in 1994, Muse has released nine studio albums. Their third album, Absolution, was the first to top the UK Albums Chart. Since then, all albums they released have taken the #1 spot on the chart.
Additionally, Drones, their seventh album (2015), peaked at the top of Billboard 200. It also won the band a Best Rock Album Grammy in 2016.
Radiohead fans looking to explore Muses’s discography should check out these notable songs: “Time Is Running Out,” “Starlight,” “Uprising,” and “Madness.”
7. Interpol
Formed in New York City in 1997, indie rock band Interpol rose to prominence in the early 2000s. Their music embodies a post-punk revival style characterized by rhythmic guitar riffs, pulsating basslines, and precise drumming.
Their debut album, Turn on the Bright Lights, in 2002, was well-received. However, Interpol had greater success with its second album, Antics, in 2004. It peaked at #15 on Billboard 200 and features many of their most popular hits, like “Slow Hands” and “Evil.”
With their consistent output and captivating live performances, Interpol has built a dedicated fan base and established themselves as an influential indie rock band.
8. The Smile
English rock band The Smile formed in 2021, a spinoff of Radiohead comprising of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Tom Skinner. Although relatively new, The Smile has already gained significant attention. Like Radiohead, their music incorporates elements of alt-rock and art rock, with a hint of jazz for a distinct sound.
The Smile released their first—and only so far—studio album, A Light for Attracting Attention, in 2021. The album was a great hit, peaking at #2 on both the Billboard 200 and Independent Albums charts.
Since The Smile came together during the COVID-19 lockdown times, any concerts have been streamed live. This did not lessen their appeal, though. Their stage presence and performances were just as captivating as if they were performed in front of live audiences.
And though the lockdown restrictions have eased, The Smile continues in their musical endeavors, actively working on their second studio album slated for release in 2023.
9. Bon Iver
Up next is the American band Bon Iver, which was founded by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon in 2006. Their music style resembles Radiohead and bands like Big Red Machine, S Carey, and Fleet Foxes.
The band debuted in 2007 with the album “For Emma, Forever Ago.” It was a success, but it was their self-titled second album that shot them to fame. Bon Iver took the #2 spot on Billboard 200 and #4 on UK’s Albums chart. It also won a Best Alternative Music Album Grammy.
With their reputation as an amazing band fusing folk, indie rock, and experimental elements cemented, Bon Iver continues to push the boundaries of their music.
10. LCD Soundsystem
With their art rock and electronica sound similar to Radiohead, we’ve included the New York band LCD Soundsystem. Formed in 2002 by James Murphy, the band has gained popularity for its lively performances involving electronic and traditional instruments.
Their first and second albums were not as successful as they had anticipated. However, their third album, Sound of Silver (2007), charted on Billboard 200. They followed this up with a top-10 hit, This Is Happening, in 2010.
Sadly, in 2011, the band announced their intention to disband, culminating in a farewell concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. However, in 2015, much to the delight of fans, LCD Soundsystem reunited and began touring and releasing new music.
Their highly anticipated comeback album, American Dream, was released in 2017 and received widespread acclaim, topping Billboard 200 and earning a Grammy nod for Best Alternative Music Album. The album showcased LCD Soundsystem’s evolution while staying true to their signature sound.
11. Super Furry Animals
Formed in 1993 in Cardiff, Wales, Super Furry Animals consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Gruff Rhys, guitarist Huw Bunford, bassist Guto Pryce, keyboardist Cian Ciaran, and drummer Dafydd Ieuan. Their music, a blend of alt rock, pop, and electronica, is reminiscent of Radiohead’s style.
The band gained early recognition with their debut album, Fuzzy Logic, in 1996. The album’s standout tracks, such as “Something 4 the Weekend” and “God! Show Me Magic,” became indie anthems and set the stage for Super Furry Animals’ future success.
Their eight subsequent albums continued to showcase Super Furry Animals’ genre-blending approach. In particular, the 2001 Rings Around the World featured unique orchestral arrangements and collaborations with notable artists such as Paul McCartney and John Cale.
Radiohead fans won’t regret exploring Super Furry Animals’ discography. With thought-provoking and often humorous lyrics tackling various subjects, you’ll be in for an eargasmic time!
12. The Xx
Ending this list is another British band likened to Radiohead in terms of their experimental approach and electronic sound: The xx. Formed in 2005, the group consists of Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim, and Jamie Smith, also known as Jamie xx.
Working with producer Rodaidh McDonald, The xx released their debut album, xx, in 2009. It was an instant hit, taking the third spot on the UK Albums chart and winning several awards, including the 2010 Album of the Year Mercury Prize.
Following their successful debut, The xx released Coexist in 2012. Building upon the atmospheric sound of xx, this album further refined their style with songs like “Angels” and “Chained.” Once again, the album garnered critical acclaim and found commercial success.
Fans of Radiohead will find The xx’s discography an enjoyable exploration. The xx offers a similar depth and complexity that Radiohead exudes in their work, with songs that will pull you in and have you wanting more.
13. Foals
British indie rock band Foals has been making waves in the alternative music scene since its formation in 2005. The band’s early work had a more math rock influence. However, as they progressed, their sound evolved to incorporate art rock, experimental music, and progressive rock.
Foals’ breakthrough came with their third album in 2013. Landing at #2 on the UK Albums chart, Holy Fire propelled them to mainstream success, with tracks like “My Number” and “Inhaler” becoming hits and earning the band widespread acclaim.
Subsequent albums were equally successful, all peaking in the top five of the Albums chart and winning Foals accolades, like Best Album NME Award for 2015 What Went Down.
Summing Up Our List Of Bands Like Radiohead
Exploring bands that share similarities with Radiohead opens up a world of captivating music. The bands above offer a rich tapestry of alternative rock, art rock, and electronic sounds while bringing in their own unique approach to make their work distinct.
We hope this article has introduced you to some new musical discoveries to add to your playlist. However, there are undoubtedly many other bands we might have missed. Let us know who, and we’ll add them here!
