Originally by ReferenceList RulesBands that are on independent music labels - bands that started on indie labels, but later signed with big labels are okay too
Before the genre became mainstream (which in itself is paradoxical) indie bands meant that a particular group was signed to an independent record label. Over time, indie music, and thus, the best indie bands, have come to be defined as a particular sound that strays from the mainstream and experiments with new sounds, melodies, and lyrics. Making some of the best indie songs of 2018, many of the top indie rock bands do remain loyal to the labels that took a chance on them when they were up-and-comers and stay on independent labels. Most good indie bands (and fans of the genre) are proud to say that they've eschewed the mainstream and have maintained their freedom as an indie artist. It's a great perk to have, and all of the best indie rock bands may not have the biggest album sales - but by retaining their indie cred, it allows them to become popular beyond the scope of indie music.
So, what are the best indie bands? Any list of of indie bands has to include the likes of The Strokes, Alt-J, Cage the Elephant, Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend and Florence and the Machine. These indie bands are singers widely known for their popularity and bringing indie music to the mainstream. They've headlined arenas and festivals and even with this widespread success, they're true to their indie ethos and remain the best indie rock bands.
That said, it's up to you to determine what are the best indie bands - whether old classics or indie bands popular today. If you know indie music, feel free to chime in and vote on this list. If you notice that a band isn't on this list and should be, feel free to add them. This list answers the questions "who are the best indie bands of all time?" and "who is the greatest indie musician ever?" If you know enough about the genre, please vote based on the quality of the band's music instead of just voting for the most popular indie musicians that you might've heard of.
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2,5481,192The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. The group consisted of... more
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1,545435The Cure is an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band members have... more3
3,1221,593Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon-on-Thames in 1985. The band consists of... more4
1,440465Joy Division were an English rock band formed in Salford in 1976. The group consisted of... more5
1,347637R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry,... more6
1,758861The Pixies are an American rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1986. The group... more7
1,507658Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Developed from an earlier group,... more8
4,3532,298Arctic Monkeys is an English rock band formed in Sheffield in 2002. The group consists of Alex... more9
2,1751,005Cage the Elephant is an American rock band from Bowling Green, Kentucky, that formed in 2006.... more10
834370Blur are an English rock band, formed in London in 1988. The group consists of... more11
2,7401,539The Strokes are an American rock band formed in New York City in 1998, consisting of Julian... more12
2,3301,224Tame Impala is the psychedelic recording project of Kevin Parker, from Perth, Australia, and... more13
1,153510MGMT is an American psychedelic rock band founded by Benjamin Goldwasser and Andrew... more14
1,882920Foster the People is an American indie pop band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2009. The... more15
1,471552Gorillaz are a British virtual band created in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie... more16
737323Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band, formed in Bellingham, WA, in 1997.... more17
1,352734The Black Keys is an American rock band formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. The group consists of... more18
615275The Stone Roses are an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the... more19
498211The Shins are an American indie rock band formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1996. The... more20
1,8691,219Florence and the Machine (stylised as Florence + the Machine) are an English indie rock band... more21
2,5101,557The Killers are an American rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2001 by members Brandon... more22
1,139720Bon Iver () is an American indie folk band founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Justin... more23
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in 1983 by... more24
1,8721,283Arcade Fire is a Canadian indie rock band, consisting of husband and wife Win Butler and... more25
609297The Yeah Yeah Yeahs is an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group... more
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