The Irish rock band The Script has been in the music industry since 2001. They secured a place in the pop rock, indie rock, and alternative rock genres and drew from various influences.
All these manifested in the successful albums and singles they released over the years. From their self-titled debut album to Sunsets & Full Moons, The Script has enjoyed success and was a favorite in the UK.
If you’re a fan of the band, then you’ll love this list we’ve compiled. With the following 13 amazing bands like The Script, we explore artists who share similarities in style, genre, and influences ranging from alternative rock to contemporary R&B. What are you waiting for? Read on!
1. OneRepublic
Starting off our list is OneRepublic, an American pop-rock band originating from Colorado Springs and has a musical style that closely resembles The Script. Led by singer-songwriter Ryan Tedder, the band has gained worldwide recognition for its catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and polished production.
OneRepublic’s breakthrough came in 2007 with their hit single “Apologize.” It became a massive success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries. The song is proof of the band’s skill in penning emotionally resonant pop anthems, blending Tedder’s smooth vocals with a memorable piano-driven melody.
OneRepublic’s music often explores themes of love, resilience, and personal growth. Tedder’s introspective lyrics and infectious hooks contributed to their international success.
2. Maroon 5
Our next band, Maroon 5, is often compared to The Script due to their similar music styles. Both are known for finding success in the pop rock, funk rock, and soft rock genres.
Maroon 5 is known for collaborating with various artists across different genres and consistently delivering memorable live performances that have captivated audiences worldwide. Many of their songs have also been successful, such as “This Love” and “She Will Be Loved.”
Their catchy tunes and dynamic stage presence make Maroon 5 an influence on fellow musicians. With lead vocalist Adam Levine behind the helm, the band remains a trailblazer in the pop-rock music industry.
Over the years, Maroon 5 has released seven albums and sold more than 135 million records. They have definitely made significant strides since their formation, making a name for themselves as one of the world’s best-selling artists.
3. Coldplay
Another band that is often compared to The Script is Coldplay. This British rock band came together in London in 1997 and has achieved remarkable success.
Like The Script, Coldplay is known for its blend of alternative pop, emotional melodies, and powerful ballads. This combination seems to resonate deeply with fans around the world.
Coldplay rose to prominence with their debut album, Parachutes, in 2000. The album featured the hit singles “Yellow” and “Trouble,” both of which were in the top ten in the UK.
Since their formation, Coldplay released nine albums and received various awards. They won seven Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, and seven Billboard Music Awards. Throughout their career, they sold more than 100 million albums, making them one of the best-selling artists of all time.
4. Imagine Dragons
Up next, we have the American pop-rock band Imagine Dragons. They have been making waves in the music industry since 2008. The lineup consists of lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman.
One of the biggest influences on Imagine Dragons’ sound was their hometown Las Vegas music scene. It helped shape the band’s style into something fresh and distinct.
Notably, both The Script and Imagine Dragons incorporated pop elements into their rock sound. Their songs featured catchy hooks and melodies, adding appeal to their music. They dominated mainstream music charts with top-charting hits such as “Believer” and “Thunder.”
5. Snow Patrol
There may be a seven-year gap between the formations of The Script and our next band, Snow Patrol. But both are alternative bands that found success with their unique sound and style.
Led by singer-songwriter Gary Lightbody, the band garnered international success with their third studio album, Final Straw. The album featured the hit singles “Run” and “Chasing Cars,” which helped solidify the band’s status as a household name.
Over the years, Snow Patrol has continued releasing albums and touring extensively. These helped maintain their popularity and capture audiences with their performances. Albums like A Hundred Million Suns (2008) and Fallen Empires (2011) showcased their ability to evolve their sound while staying true to their signature style.
6. The Fray
The American rock band The Fray was formed in Denver, Colorado, in 2002. Like many of the bands on our list, especially The Script, The Fray was known for their relatable lyrics, piano-driven melodies, and performances.
The Fray gained widespread recognition with their debut album, How to Save a Life. The title track, “How to Save a Life,” became a massive hit, earning the band widespread acclaim.
In addition, The Fray’s music has been featured in popular television shows, films, and advertisements. This further cemented their place in the mainstream music scene and introduced their music to wider audiences.
With four Grammy nominations and three Billboard Music Awards, The Fray has made a significant impact in the alternative rock and pop-rock genres.
7. Keane
Like The Script, Keane is an alternative rock band whose music is a fusion of pop rock, piano rock, and indie rock. It was formed in 1995 with members Tom Chaplin, Tim Rice-Oxley, Richard Hughes, and Jesse Quin.
Keane rose to prominence with their 2004 debut album, Hopes and Fears. It showcased their unique blend of piano-driven rock and pop hooks.
The album also featured hit singles like “Somewhere Only We Know” and “Everybody’s Changing,” which propelled them into the mainstream and earned them critical acclaim.
With over 13 million albums sold worldwide, it’s easy to see why Keane has gained popularity. They have won two Brit Awards, one ASCAP Award, and two Grammy nominations.
8. Train
Up next, we have the California native Train, a pop-rock band formed in 1993. Led by lead vocalist Pat Monahan, the band has achieved significant success in the pop rock and roots rock genres. Their music is similar to The Script, combining acoustic guitar-driven melodies, energetic rhythms, and relatable lyrics.
Fortunately for the band, their self-titled album gained them recognition. It featured the hit single “Meet Virginia,” which introduced their signature blend of pop, rock, and folk-infused sound.
Their breakthrough came with the release of the album Drops of Jupiter in 2001. The title track became a massive hit, earning Train a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song and solidifying their place in the pop-rock scene.
9. Lifehouse
Moving on to our next band, we have the American rock band Lifehouse from Los Angeles. They are also an alternative band drawing from various influences.
Lifehouse gained attention through their hit single “Hanging by a Moment” from their No Name Face album. The song was so successful that it was the most-played song on the radio in 2001. The album propelled the band into the limelight and sold four million copies worldwide.
Despite not being labeled as a Christian band, some of Lifehouse’s lyrics contain spiritual themes due to vocalist Jason Wade’s Christian beliefs.
Lifehouse is compared to The Script as both feature talented vocalists. Danny O’Donoghue of The Script is known for his versatile vocal range. Jason Wade of Lifehouse, meanwhile, has a voice with its unique raspy quality.
10. Bastille
The British pop-rock band Bastille came together in 2010, with its founder and lead vocalist Dan Smith at the helm. Their music is known for its ’80s synth-pop influences, with stadium-sized choruses that make it worth listening to repeatedly.
Their most recognized song is “Pompeii.” It was released in 2013 and became an instant hit. It reached the top of the charts in multiple countries and showcased the band’s ability to craft infectious and anthemic pop songs.
One of the things that Bastille has in common with The Script is tackling political issues in some of their songs. The Script’s “Freedom Child” and “Divided States of America” are about US politics. Bastille’s Doom Days is a concept album that tackles, among things, politics.
Despite the band’s political stances within their songs, Bastille remains highly popular among fans worldwide.
11. Nickelback
The Canadian rock band Nickelback is another band that can be compared to The Script. Nickelback gained popularity in 1995, with Chad Kroeger fronting the four-piece. Their music style is often classified as post-grunge or alternative rock, with elements of hard rock and heavy metal.
One aspect that draws a similarity between Nickelback and The Script is their songwriting approach. They often incorporate personal experiences and challenges into their lyrics, which makes their songs relatable.
Most probably, fans were introduced to Nickelback through their hit song “How You Remind Me.” Aside from that, Nickelback went on to produce many more hits, such as “Photograph” and “Rockstar.”
Despite criticism over the years for being too mainstream or formulaic in their music style, Nickelback has maintained a dedicated fan base all around the world.
12. Matchbox Twenty
Our list will not be complete without the inclusion of Matchbox Twenty. This American rock band was formed in 1995 in Orlando, Florida. The group has been a consistent presence in the alternative and pop-rock scene for years.
Matchbox Twenty’s success began with their debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You. The album spawned several hit singles, including “Push,” “3 AM,” and “Real World,” all of which contributed to the band’s growing fame.
In addition, Matchbox Twenty’s songs feature hooks and choruses that stay with listeners. Similarly, The Script penned songs that their fans could sing along to, making their music easily recognizable.
Over the years, Matchbox Twenty has released several albums, including More Than You Think You Are (2002), Exile on Mainstream (2007), and North (2012). Each album reflects their growth as a band, incorporating elements of pop, rock, and alternative music.
13. Westlife
Also coming from Dublin, Ireland, is the pop vocal group Westlife. Comprised of four members, Westlife became one of the most successful boy bands of their era. Their harmonies, ballads, and polished pop sound added to their worldwide appeal.
Their self-titled debut album became a huge success and reached multi-platinum status. It spawned the hit singles “If I Let You Go” and “Flying Without Wings.” The album solidified the band’s position as one of the leading boy bands in the music industry.
Westlife, like The Script, was known for delivering memorable performances. They engaged with their audiences in arenas and stadiums, proving that they could easily captivate large crowds not only with their music but their charisma as well.
Westlife continued their streak of success, featuring chart-topping singles such as “My Love,” “Uptown Girl,” and “You Raise Me Up.” Their music evolved over time, incorporating pop, R&B, and adult contemporary elements while maintaining their signature harmonies and relatable lyrics.
Summing Up Our List Of Bands Like The Script
And that’s it for our list of bands that can be compared to The Script. Hopefully, you’ve found new additions to your playlist.
Whether you fell in love with Imagine Dragon’s fusion of pop and rock, or Matchbox Twenty’s alternative sound, there is something for everyone looking for a band that sounds like The Script.
We hope we’ve included your favorite alternative or pop rock band in our list. If not, then we’ll appreciate you reaching out to us.
