Find the bands shaping Indian music

Mumbai instrumental rock band whose post-rock roots run through soaring, prog-leaning guitar work. Their debut album Eyes Everywhere arrived in 2013, followed by the Strangeloop EP and the heavier, melodic Connect.

Formed in 2004 in New Delhi, Advaita is an eight-member powerhouse combining Hindustani classical vocalists and sarangi with keyboards, post-rock guitars, and modern drum grooves.

Mumbai's high-energy all-vocal band producing full-band experiences without instruments, combining intricate beatboxing, bass lines, and lush vocal harmonies.

Formed in 2003 in Bengaluru, Agam is a genre-defining Carnatic progressive rock band combining complex South Indian classical ragas with ferocious rock riffing and symphonic percussion.

Pioneering Pune-based rock outfit from the late 90s/2000s, acclaimed for blending Indian classical ragas with heavy electric guitars and epic thematic compositions like 'Wind in the Willows'.

Soulful and raspy-voiced singer-songwriter from Mumbai who gained national renown on 'The Stage' (Colors Infinity) and has commanded festival stages with power-packed acoustic rock.

New Delhi / Chandigarh

Formed in Dimapur, Nagaland, ANTB shot to international fame when their single 'Painted Dreams' debuted at #4 on VH1 Top 10, winning the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards Best Indian Act nomination.

New Delhi / Chandigarh

https://aprilsaway.com/

Widely hailed as the pioneer of techno in India and co-founder of Jalebi Cartel, Arjun Vagale has spearheaded the Asian underground techno movement, releasing on top global techno labels like Drumcode, Suara, and Odd Recordings.

Mumbai

New Delhi

Formed in Thiruvananthapuram in 2003, Avial pioneered Malayalam alternative rock, blending local poetry, folklore, and thumping post-grunge guitars, earning cult status across the subcontinent.

A long-standing live circuit rock outfit specializing in electrifying classic rock covers (Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd) alongside blues-rock originals.

Founded in 1998, Bandish Projekt is an internationally celebrated sound collective by Mayur Narvekar blending classical Indian ragas and folk rhythms with cutting-edge drum & bass, dub, and glitch electronica.

Barmer Boys are the global ambassadors of contemporary Rajasthani Manganiyar music. Led by Manga's soaring vocals and Rais Khan's jaw-dropping beatboxing and Jew's harp, they bring folk into the 21st century.

Premier Kolkata-born, Bangalore-based neo-soul and contemporary jazz outfit celebrated for intricate syncopation, virtuosic musicianship, and melodic vocal mastery.

New Delhi

Energetic alternative rock and pop-punk college act celebrated in the campus band circuit for punchy anthems and infectious guitar hooks.

New Orleans and Mumbai-raised vocalist and trumpet player. Bianca Love crafts a distinctive fusion of raw Mississippi Delta blues, New Orleans gospel soul, and modern jazz.

Formed in 2010, this Mumbai-based quartet combines upbeat reggae, hip-hop, drum'n'bass, and funk into a vibrant party sound with socially conscious undertones.

Bombay Rockers brought Punjabi bhangra and hip-hop together for an international audience in the 2000s.

Formed in 2005 in Aizawl, Mizoram, Boomarang is one of Northeast India's most ferocious rap-rock and hard-rock acts, winning Yamaha Asian Beat and opening for Korn in Mumbai.

New Delhi

Chetana Kinger (artist moniker 'Che') is a versatile vocalist and songwriter known for lush soulful textures, jazzy phrasing, and captivating indie pop arrangements.

Bengaluru-based dynamic brass-heavy disco-funk ensemble known for colorful outfits, horn sections, and groove-oriented dance party music.

New Delhi

Formed in 2006 in Mumbai, Coshish is revered for merging complex progressive rock time signatures with poignant, poetic Hindi lyrics, releasing their seminal Universal Music album 'Firdous'.

Curtain Blue is the solo project of New Delhi-based vocalist and producer Abhishek Bhatia, who is also the frontman of the alt-rock band The Circus. Known for fusing haunting vocals with lush, textured downtempo beats and IDM.

New Delhi / Goa

High-octane Sufi and Bollywood rock ensemble known for explosive stage energy, soaring sufi-rock medleys, and original rock ballads like 'O Humdum'.

Guwahati-based nu-metal pioneers of the 2000s northeast rock explosion, known for drop-tuned crunchy guitar riffs, rap-screamed verses, and aggressive stage energy.

Hailing from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Deepak Rathore writes heart-touching, mountain-inspired acoustic folk melodies and emotional narratives with songs like 'Sun Le Zara' and 'Kafirana'.

New Delhi

Solo acoustic percussive guitar virtuoso named in Acoustic Guitar Magazine's '30 Great Guitarists Under 30', famed for spanking and slapping his guitar while singing intricate stories.

Formed in 2008 in Haflong/Guwahati, Digital Suicide is celebrated for their punchy 'disco-rock' sound, combining catchy dancefloor grooves, synth-laden riffs, and cheeky, satirical lyrics.

https://dvdeathcore.bandcamp.com/

Mumbai rapper Divine brought gully rap to national attention with gritty Hindi and Marathi storytelling about the city's streets.

Formed in the heart of Dharavi, Mumbai, Dopeadelicz are pioneers of Indian multilingual conscious street hip-hop, highlighting grassroots issues, police brutality, and community pride.

The solo electronic project of Sahej Bakshi, Dualist Inquiry has shaped India's alternative electronic music scene since 2010 with guitar-driven electronica, hook-filled synths, and organic beats.

New Delhi / Goa

New Delhi

Formed in 1988 by Dr. Palash Sen, Euphoria is a pioneer of the Hindi Rock (Hindrock) genre. Their infectious melodies, dholak-infused rock grooves, and cinematic videos made them a household name across India.

https://www.instagram.com/ew_punk/

A Mumbai/Pune independent acoustic outfit fronted by Faraz Ansari, known for witty, emotionally engaging Hindi poetry and relatable acoustic arrangements.

https://fallenlettersband.com/

Formed in 2008 in New Delhi, Faridkot coined their style 'Confused Pop'—an evocative blend of Punjabi and Hindi Sufi poetry with modern pop rock and funk textures. Massive viral hit 'Jehda Nasha'.

Formed in 2015 in Pune by Gaurav Kadu, Fiddlecraft is renowned for warm storytelling, poignant relatable lyrics, and acoustic indie pop ballads like 'Mai Chala Jaunga' and 'Fakir'.

Kolkata's Fossils are a cornerstone of Bengali rock, known for Rupam Islam's intense vocals and a long-running live following.

New Delhi

New Delhi

New Delhi

Formed in Kolkata/Darjeeling in 2012, Gingerfeet won the Rolling Stone Metal Awards and Hornbill International Rock Contest with high-energy funk-rock riffs and soulful powerful rock vocals.

Formed in 2009 in Gangtok, Sikkim, GATC is India's preeminent 80s-style hard rock/heavy metal band, signed to Frontiers Music Srl and acclaimed globally for Girish Pradhan's soaring vocal range.

Founded by Indian-American singer-composer Siddhartha Khosla, Goldspot blends lush 60s/70s classic pop arrangements with retro Bollywood melodic sensibilities, featured in global TV/films.

Eclectic singer-songwriter and electronic producer known under monikers like Pulpy Shilpy and Run Pussy Run, celebrated for avant-garde arrangements, quirky lyrics, and soulful acoustic melodies.

https://allparksaregreen.com/

Formed in 1990 in New Delhi, Indian Ocean is considered the pioneer of the fusion rock movement in India. Their music blends Indian classical ragas, traditional folk themes, and progressive rock sensibilities.

Originally formed in 1984 as Rock Machine, Indus Creed is widely hailed as the godfather of Indian independent rock. MTV India's early trailblazers with hits like 'Pretty Child'.

https://akashdeepgogoi.com/jaivik-swar

Formed in 2004, Jalebi Cartel was India's premier live electronic act, headlining major European and Asian clubs and redefining dance music live performance.

Formed in Chennai, Jatayu (often listed phonetically as Jatasayaa) is an internationally praised Carnatic math-rock outfit that weaves complex classical ragas into math-rock and jazz grooves.

New Delhi

New Delhi / Chandigarh

Formed in 2005 in Chennai, Junkyard Groove became a staple of Indian rock with catchy guitar riffs, gritty vocals, and explosive live performances.

Kaash is a New Delhi-based Sufi rock outfit known for soulful melodies, evocative poetry, and powerful rock backbeats, making waves with singles like 'Aankhein' and 'Yaad'.

Renowned New Delhi Sufi rock collective famous for their hit anthems 'Aankhon Mein' and 'Yaad', blending passionate Hindi poetry with roaring rock crescendos.

New Delhi / Chandigarh

Emerging Pune/Delhi singer-songwriter recognized for soulful percussive fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing and expressive Hindi indie ballads.

Formed in 2010 in Bengaluru, Live Banned is famed for high-octane theatrical parody rock, wildly mashup-ing Bollywood, Kollywood, 80s pop, and thrash metal.

New Delhi

Originally started as an acoustic trio named Joint Venture, Lucynic Fix expanded into a tight, versatile rock band performing melodic classic and alternative blues tunes.

Mumbai electro-funk and nu-disco duo combining retro Bollywood disco glitz, Harlem jazz swing, dirty punk-cabaret guitars, and irresistible dance grooves.

Mangka is the torchbearer of ancient Manipuri Moirang Sai and folk music traditions. Working with the Laihui Ensemble, she has revitalized Meitei oral folklore on premier global stages.

Formed in 1997, the duo revolutionized electronic music in India by melding Rajasthani folk, Indian classical flute/sitar, and breakbeats, spearheading the Asian Underground movement internationally.

Pune-based indie singer-songwriter celebrated for her delicate vocal timbre and emotive folk-pop compositions like 'Dil Yeh Awaaz De'.

Formed in 2001 in New Delhi, Menwhopause is one of India's foundational DIY indie bands, and among the first to offer full album downloads for free over the internet.

Prodigious world-renowned bass virtuoso and composer from Mumbai, endorsed by Quincy Jones, AR Rahman, Steve Vai, and Jordan Rudess for her blistering technical dexterity and slap-bass mastery.

New Delhi

Hailing from Kochi, Motherjane pioneered the fusion of Carnatic ragas with progressive hard rock and metal. Their legendary 2008 album 'Maktub' remains a benchmark of Indian independent rock.

Formed in 2006, Mumbai's Finest is widely hailed as India's first independent rap crew, pioneering the Desi Hip Hop underground movement and winning multiple VH1 & Radio City awards.

Instrumental classical fusion group combining ancient Indian classical instruments (sitar, bansuri, tabla) with western acoustic guitar rhythms and jazz progressions.

New Delhi / Chandigarh

Founded by singer-songwriter Neel Adhikari in Kolkata, Neel & The Lightbulbs is an infectious funk-rock act known for hooky melodies, tight rhythmic grooves, and playful lyrical delivery.

New Delhi / Chandigarh

Singer-songwriter and pianist Sohrab Nicholson's live electronic outfit, renowned for emotional piano ballads framed by delicate electronic beats, lush horns, and organic synths.

Formed in 2006 in Indore, Nicotine is one of Central India's pioneering heavy metal bands, celebrated for raw aggressive guitar riffs, blistering drum solos, and melodic thrash power.

New Delhi / Goa

New Delhi-based instrumental outfit creating sprawling post-metal crescendos, textured shoegaze delays, and crushing heavy riffs reminiscent of Russian Circles and Pelican.

Producer Nucleya fuses Indian folk and film samples with heavy bass music, becoming a defining voice in Indian electronic dance.

Nush Lewis is India's preeminent alternative indie harpist and composer. She paints moody, ethereal sonic stories blending harp resonance with electronic beats and dream-pop aesthetics.

New Delhi

New Delhi / Chandigarh

Hailing from Arunachal Pradesh and New Delhi, OKC blends indigenous folk chants of Arunachal with sophisticated Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and funk sensibilities.

Mumbai-based producer and live drummer Aditya Ashok, spearheading the Indian liquid drum & bass scene with lush jazz chords, atmospheric pads, and rapid-fire breaks.

Assam's Papon draws on folk traditions of the Northeast and Bengali music, performing across India and abroad.

Fronted by singer-composer Papon, this collective blends traditional folk from Northeast India and mystical Sufi verses with ambient electronics, blues, and acoustic rock.

Founded in 1991, Parikrama is one of India's longest-running and most revered classic rock bands. Famous for free music downloads before the streaming era and electrifying live shows featuring violin and lead guitar duals.

Formed in 2010 in Bengaluru, Parvaaz is revered for a singular, sublime sound marrying soaring Kashmiri and Urdu poetry with Floydian progressive psychedelic rock and blues.

Formed in 1994, Pentagram is an iconic Mumbai rock outfit led by Vishal Dadlani and Randolph Correia. They bridged rough-edged rock with pulsating electronic beats, shaping modern Indian alternative music.

New Delhi's Peter Cat Recording Co. mix jazz, psychedelia, and vintage pop into a sound that has toured widely across Europe and India.

https://www.instagram.com/pinkeyex/

Mumbai

New Delhi

Delhi-based Prabh Deep writes introspective Punjabi hip-hop that has made him one of India's most respected young rappers.

Award-winning independent singer-songwriter and vocal coach based in Pune. Winner of 'Best Pop Artist' at Radio City Freedom Awards for his evocative pop-rock songs.

Jaipur-born global sensation Prateek Kuhad is revered for tender, intimate acoustic melodies and poignant lyricism. His breakout hit 'cold/mess' was famously included on Barack Obama's favorite music of 2019 list.

Singer, composer, and acoustic performer formerly associated with Pune acts and known for contributions to Bollywood/web series soundtracks including 'Dil Dosti Dilemma' ('Jhoome Raanjhana').

Formed in Kolkata in 2001, Prithibi is one of the pillars of the Bengali rock movement, known for melodic classic rock orchestrations, poetic lyrics, and cult anthems like 'Ektu Ektu Kore'.

Founded in 2016, Pune Hip Hop Renaissance is an influential hip-hop movement uniting rappers, producers, and street artists to represent Maharashtra's underground rap culture.

New Delhi

The Raghu Dixit Project is known for uplifting, infectious folk rock rooted in ancient Kannada poetry and Indian traditions, performed in vibrant traditional lungis and ghungroos on stage.

Bengaluru's Raghu Dixit Project pairs Kannada folk poetry with rock instrumentation and has performed at festivals worldwide.

Formed in 2012 in Pune, The Raushan Verma Scheme delivers pure, uplifting vocal arrangements layered over classic blues and pop rock riffs.

Known as the 'Bob Dylan of the Nagas' and awarded the Padma Shri in 2021, Guru Rewben Mashangva single-handedly pioneered the 'Hao Folk Blues' genre, blending Tangkhul Naga tribal melodies with Mississippi blues.

Producer and singer Ritviz makes melodic Hindi electronic pop that has become a staple of Indian streaming playlists.

New Delhi-based Sufi-rock band known for high-octane fusion performances that merge spiritual verses with heavy alternative rock beats.

Rohit Vasudevan Diaries (RVD) is a vibrant Pune-based 4-piece band blending soulful Hindi lyrics, groovy funk rhythms, and expressive rock melodies.

Fronted by maestro Dhruv Sangari (trained under Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan), Rooh performs electrifying classical and contemporary Sufiana Qawwali and mystical folk fusion.

A soulful Sufi rock band blending mystic classical verses and acoustic Hindi melodies with contemporary soft-rock arrangements.

Formed in 2013 in New Delhi, Run! It's the Kid carved an evocative niche with what they termed 'sad pop'—gentle, confessional lyricism, emotive vocal harmonies, and warm guitar reverberations.

New Delhi/Pune-based melodic Hindi rock outfit known for evocative storytelling, heart-stirring lyricism, and seamless indie acoustic-rock production.

Mumbai's Sanam rework classic Hindi film songs and pop standards into a modern band sound with a large online audience.

Sartek is one of India's pioneering electronic dance music producers, becoming the first Indian artist to release on Hardwell's Revealed Recordings and charting on Beatport Top 100 with hits like 'Back to the Future'.

Pune/Mumbai Marathi contemporary rock and fusion band that introduced modern rock arrangements and folk beats to mainstream Marathi youth music.

Formed in 2005 in Mumbai, Scribe is one of India's most idiosyncratic metal bands, famous for blistering riffs, technical drumming, and cheeky Bollywood and pop-culture parodies.

Shakti brought Indian classical music and jazz together in the 1970s and reunited in the 2020s to tour a new generation of listeners.

Originally a legendary indie rock band founded in Yangon, Myanmar, Side Effect spent extensive time performing across the Indian indie circuit, winning fans with gritty garage-punk anthems.

Formed in 2008 in New Delhi, Sifar earned critical and cult acclaim for emotionally resonant Hindi lyrics, soaring melody lines, and punchy alternative rock arrangements.

Hailing from Pune, Silver won the prestigious 2008 nationwide Yamaha Asian Beat competition and represented India in Hong Kong. Known for razor-sharp riffs and blistering vocals.

High-voltage three-piece garage rock band from Chennai known for raw, stripped-down guitar tones, storytelling comic-book narratives, and hyperactive live stage performances.

New Delhi

Formed in 2011 in Bengaluru, this explosive post-rock/space-rock quartet is renowned for towering distortion pedals, hypnotic grooves, and immersive visual-audio live gigs.

Formed in 2009 in Mumbai, Sparsh blends emotive Hindi lyrics with soaring progressive rock guitar work and soulful classical strings.

Formed in 2011 in Mumbai, Spud in the Box became one of Indian indie rock's most celebrated sextets, famous for dual lead vocalists, intricate arrangements, and sweeping stadium-sized melodies.

Pune-based singer-songwriter performing introspective acoustic indie pop characterized by nimble fingerpicking and emotive lyricism.

Formed in Mysuru/Bengaluru in 2002, Swarathma blends Indian folk traditions with Western rock, reggae, and blues. Their lyrics tackle socially relevant themes from environmental decay to rural migrations.

Chandigarh-based folk-rock outfit celebrated across North India for their viral folk-fusion single 'Kuch Na Kaho' and poetic Hindi acoustic melodies.

Guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter from Arunachal Pradesh (trained at MI, Los Angeles). Takar blends introspective soul, jazz-blues phrasing, and indie rock with subtle ethnic tribal elements.

Mumbai/Hyderabad singer-songwriter known for infectious pop-rock hooks, musical theatre influences, and intricate lyricism across acclaimed records like 'Make It Happen' and 'Outlast'.

Four sisters from Nagaland performing Li (folk songs of the Chakhesang Naga) accompanied by the one-stringed traditional instrument Tati, carrying Naga heritage globally.

A large Kochi-based ensemble known for multilingual fusion, Thaikkudam Bridge rose to fame through its widely shared music videos.

Mumbai four-piece indie pop ensemble celebrated for uplifting vocal harmonies, breezy guitar melodies, and heartwarming storytelling across songs like 'Dharmendra'.

Formed in 2012 in Chennai, The F16s are one of India's most critically acclaimed indie acts, crafting irresistibly danceable post-punk, vintage psych-pop, and melancholic summer indie rock.

Formed in 2011, this dynamic power trio blends classic blues, psychedelic prog-rock, and funk-driven jamming, famous for unpredictable, explosive live sets.

Kolkata indie rock outfit known for blending trash-glam Bollywood aesthetics, 80s dance-punk, and kitschy Hindi cinema nostalgia with infectious guitar pop.

Formed in 2011 in Mumbai, The Koniac Net crafts sweeping, angst-driven alternative rock and post-hardcore melodies characterized by wall-of-sound guitar textures and anthemic choruses.

Mumbai three-piece power pop-punk band that burst onto the indie rock landscape winning Converse Rubber Tracks, famed for chaotic, fast-paced anthems like 'The Garhm Gobi'.

Formed in 2008 in Chandigarh, The Local Train became India's most celebrated Hindi rock phenomenon of the 2010s, known for relatable songwriting, anthemic choruses, and sold-out college shows.

Over 18 years in the game, Mumbai's The Other People is one of India's most successful and sought-after pop-rock performance bands, delivering high-energy anthems from 80s retro to modern pop.

The Pilgrim is the musical endeavor of singer-songwriter Amartya Ghosh, characterized by expansive, atmospheric acoustic arrangements, evocative storytelling, and cinematic crescendos.

New Delhi

All-female indie rock quartet from Arunachal Pradesh and Assam based in Delhi, inspired by 70s/80s Riot Grrrl punk, Blondie, and The Strokes.

Formed in 2000 in New Delhi, Them Clones gained acclaim as one of India's favorite college rock powerhouses, winning Channel [V] Launchpad and releasing anthems like 'My Life'.

Founded in 1996, TAAQ coined the genre 'Bangalore Rock', describing a quirky, musically intricate fusion of rock, jazz, funk, and blues narrating urban Indian life.

Mumbai

Emerging Hindi soft rock and acoustic indie ensemble writing hopeful, melody-driven songs revolving around life, dreams, and personal introspection.

Formed in Kolkata in early 2010, Underground Authority is an electrifying rap-rock band known for hard-hitting socio-political protest lyrics, explosive guitar riffs, and EPR's razor-sharp flow.

Pioneering Bengaluru instrumental post-rock band crafting massive cinematic crescendos, sweeping ambient guitar soundscapes, and textured rhythms.

https://www.instagram.com/vomit.suit/

Kochi's When Chai Met Toast make warm, upbeat indie pop that moves between English, Malayalam, and Hindi.

New Delhi

Arunachal Pradesh/Delhi indie rock quartet drawing inspiration from The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and two-tone ska, praised for their high-energy guitar dance hooks and infectious rhythms.

Solo electro-pop project of Sky Rabbit frontman Raxit Tewari, characterized by breezy, eccentric dance beats, catchy synth loops, and deadpan indie-pop vocals.