10 Most Influential Indie and Alternative Bands of All Time

Once the sound of little-known sweaty clubs and scratched mixtapes, indie and alternative music have grown up. The indie/alternative genres have evolved, and yet, somehow, they remain the heartbeat of youth culture.

But this post isn’t about what alternative and indie music is – it’s not even about naming the best alternative/indie bands on the scene. We’re taking a moment (and a pint) to look back at some of the most influential bands of the last three decades. These are the bands that changed the game.

And where better to celebrate these sounds than here at The Forum Basement, where you can catch live sets from the next wave of indie legends?

10 Most Influential Indie and Alternative Bands

1. Buzzcocks (1977): The Blueprint

Before we dive into the last three decades, let’s give a nod to the band that arguably started it all. 

It’s the cold, wet January of 1977, when a little-known band from Manchester suddenly drop Spiral Scratch, a four-track self-funded, self-released EP that’s loud and raw to the bone. It’s unlike anything you’ve heard. It’s fast-paced punk with a sense of melody, a scrappy manifesto for going it alone. 

But it’s not just their unique sound that earns Buzzcocks their spot in our list, it’s their influence on the entire scene. These guys borrowed around £750 from friends and family to produce and manufacture their own record themselves, meaning they’d just become the first British punk band to establish an independent record label.

By self-releasing Spiral Scratch, the Buzzcocks not only dodged the major corporate label machine, but they also proved that bands could go it alone – they didn’t need the backing of a major label to make their voices heard! This is a mindset that continues to inspire today’s indie acts.

2. Joy Division (1979): Post-Punk’s Poetic Dark Side

Merging stark, haunting soundscapes with deeply introspective lyrics (and maybe a touch of synth), Joy Division defined the darker, more experimental side of indie music. 

Their seminal album, Unknown Pleasures, still serves as inspiration for bands looking to capture an eerie, atmospheric sound. Despite their short-lived career, Joy Division’s impact was huge, and after frontman Ian Curtis’s tragic death in 1980, the remaining members went on to form New Order, blending post-punk with electronic dance music and finding a whole new way to influence the genre.

3. The Cure (1980): Goth Icons and Indie Misfits

From gloomy goth anthems like A Forest to the pop-infused Just Like Heaven, The Cure managed to achieve the unthinkable: go mainstream, without losing their indie credibility, sound, or style. Robert Smith’s distinctive voice and emotive lyrics are still instantly recognisable today. 

So maybe these guys didn’t have to DIY their records, but they certainly draped the mantle of “Alternative” upon their shoulders with pride (and drama!).

4. The Jesus and Mary Chain (1985): When Noise and Melody Collide

Taking the sweet melodies of ‘60s pop then gracefully drowning them in feedback and distortion, The Jesus and Mary Chain pushed boundaries with their debut album Psychocandy. Noisy and rebellious, their sound paved the way for future shoegaze and alt-rock bands.

5. Radiohead (1992): Art-Rock Innovators

We’ve hit the 90s, and from their early grunge-influenced days to their evolution into one of the most experimental bands of the 2000s, Radiohead redefined what it meant to be indie. Albums like OK Computer and Kid A fused rock, electronic, and avant-garde influences, pushing creative boundaries and setting the template for a more cerebral, art-rock style of indie music.

Radiohead gave permission for indie to get weird, and inspired everything from post-rock to electronica hybrids.

6. Oasis (1994): Britpop Royalty

Love ’em or hate ’em (you have to pick, they’re like marmite personified), Oasis became synonymous with Britpop and the ‘90s indie rock boom. Tracks like Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back in Anger are still sing-along anthems in pubs and venues worldwide, and their brash, working-class ethos resonated with a generation of fans.

7. The Strokes (2000): NYC Cool Personified

The Strokes didn’t just make indie cool again, they were cool. Their debut Is This It  is still held up as a perfect record. They kickstarted a new era of garage rock and laid-back rebellion that influenced a generation of bands from both sides of the pond.

The Strokes inspired a whole wave of indie, including The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, and the whole indie sleaze revival.

8. The White Stripes (2001): Back to Basics

Stripping rock back to its bare essentials – guitar, drums, and raw, unfiltered energy –  The White Stripes burst onto the scene at a time when overproduced pop dominated our radios. Their garage rock sound was a wake-up call to the indie world: you don’t need a full band or flashy production to make a big impact! 

With blistering guitar riffs and primal, almost childlike drumming, the duo created a sound that was both retro and unmistakably unique. Along with a striking red, white, and black aesthetic, they carved out a visual identity as bold and unforgettable as their music.

9. Arctic Monkeys (2005): Myspace Kings, Sheffield Swagger

Gather ’round kids. Let me tell you about a little place called MySpace. Before Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, this is where all the cool kids hung out – and it’s where the Arctic Monkeys first made their name. In fact, they were one of the first bands to gain public attention via the web.

Their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not was a cultural phenomenon, blending sharp lyrics with indie rock swagger. Fast forward to today, and the band still packs out stadiums.

10. Vampire Weekend (2008): Ivy League Quirk and Global Sounds

Emerging from the halls of Columbia University, Vampire Weekend brought a fresh, sweet and eclectic sound to indie rock. Their self-titled debut blended preppy, tongue-in-cheek lyrics with Afrobeat rhythms and baroque pop melodies. This was a fresh, quirky, yet infectious mix that felt entirely new. 

Songs like A-Punk and Oxford Comma are instantly recognisable, and their follow-up albums proved they were going to stick around. With each release, they’ve continued to evolve, experimenting with everything from orchestral arrangements to dancehall beats, and they’ve still got their signature blend of wit and worldliness.

Alternative/Indie Gigs at The Forum Basement

Here at the Forum Basement, you’ll catch the next generation of alternative/indie legends playing the kind of sweaty, unforgettable gigs that stay with you.

And if you’re serious about discovering your new indie band, don’t miss Unfest 2025 – one of the best annual celebrations of independent music, hosted right here in Tunbridge Wells. 

Still hungry for more? Check out our Complete Guide to Alternative/Indie Music to explore subgenres, origins, and more.