Australia is just so full of surprises.
Bill Bryson
Australia is a country that produces great music, one of the surprises Mr Bryson must have been referring to. Our list focuses on Western-style music from Australia-based bands. Indigenous Australian music deserves its own article. Unfortunately, this music style is not mainstream, like the groups this article discusses.
The 'bands' this article discusses refer to any musical group that attained mainstream success. We've listed these groups alphabetically but welcome you to rank them numerically in the comments section. There, you may also suggest more great Australian groups, to keep the discussion going.
Here's our list of the most iconic Aussie bands:
| Band Name | Years Active | Biggest Hit |
|---|---|---|
| AC/DC | 1973 – present | Back in Black |
| Bee Gees | 1958 – 2012 | How Deep Is Your Love |
| Men at Work | 1978 - present | Down Under |
| 5 Seconds of Summer | 2011 – present | Jet Black Heart |
| Crowded House | 1985 – present | Weather With You |
| Divinyls | 1980 – 2009 | I Touch Myself |
| Cold Chisel | 1973 – present | Khe Sanh |
| INXS | 1977 – 2012 | Suicide Blonde |
| Midnight Oil | 1972 – present | Beds Are Burning |
| Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds | 1983 – present | The Ship Song |
| Little River Band | 1975 - present | Reminiscing |
| Savage Garden | 1993 – 2001 | Truly Madly Deeply |
| Silverchair | 1992 – 2011 | Pure Massacre |
| Tame Impala | 2007 – present | Apocalypse Dreams |
| The Easybeats | 1964–1969; 1986 | Friday on My Mind |
| The Avalanches | 1997 – present | Frontier Psychiatrist |
| Camp Cope | 2015 – 2023 | The Opener |
| DMA’s | 2012 – present | Delete |
| Gang of Youths | 2011 – present | The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows |
| King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard | 2010 – present | Rattlesnake |
| The Living End | 1994 – present | Prisoner of Society |
| The Temper Trap | 2005 – present | Sweet Disposition |
| The Veronicas | 2004 – present | Untouched |
AC/DC
AC/DC found fame decades ago, with Angus Young prancing around in a schoolboy's uniform. Bon Scott's early passing, in 1980, forced the band to continue with Brian Johnson as the singer and frontman.
Despite that change, AC/DC headlines every list of famous Australian bands. This fruitful collaboration produced a string of international gold albums. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Let There Be Rock, and For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) are still top sellers.
For half a century, the best of Australia's most famous musical acts has amped up listeners all over the world. If you're not familiar with AC/DC's music, consider starting with some of their most popular songs such as “Highway to Hell”, “Thunderstruck” or, topping them all, “Back in Black”.
Bee Gees
The British-born Brothers Gibb moved to Australia when they were teenagers. They'd already tasted singing success in England, and were keen to please Australian music fans.
Their unique vocal tones made that snap. Still, they didn't truly 'arrive' until their third studio album, Bee Gees 1st, released in 1967. After that, they released nine more.
The Bee Gees' song, Stayin' Alive, is the perfect tempo to perform CPR. Sing it in your head as you perform CPR to keep panic at bay, as well as ensure you're doing it right.
This group's early pop successes brought mild fame; their contributions to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack (1977) rocketed them into the stratosphere. A mad scramble ensued to buy the Bee Gees' previous albums. Their next studio release, Spirits Having Flown, topped global music charts. Today, Barry is the group's only surviving member, and easily one of Australia's best singers.
Men at Work
Men at Work were formed in Melbourne in 1979. They became Australia's first band to top both the US and UK charts. Their hit "Down Under" is a global anthem that fuses rock and reggae, complete with a good helping of Aussie pride. Their catchy tunes and quirky lyrics helped put Australian music on the map internationally.
5 Seconds of Summer
5SOS - the short version of this band's name, came together as three school friends posted YouTube videos of themselves covering popular songs. Realising they had too much talent to waste, they invited a drummer and became a band in their own right.
In short order, they inked a deal with Sony, with their first studio effort launching them into the musical stratosphere. Their second album delivered arguably their greatest hit, to date. The band's video for Jet Black Heart tells a touching story.
So far, 5 Seconds of Summer has released five albums, each one a critical and commercial success. Their self-titled first album yielded the hits She Looks So Perfect, Don't Stop, and Amnesia.
Crowded House
Crowded House offers a much lighter brand of rock than AC/DC. The founding members are all Australian, save for Neil Finn, who was born in New Zealand. They scored numerous global hits during the 80s and 90s, like: Don't Dream It's Over and Something So Strong. Crowded House tracks count among Australia's best songs.
You have four decades of Crowded House music across 7 studio albums to sink your teeth into. This band is still active, too. Their latest album was released in 2021, and the group still tours, albeit with a different line-up. Regardless, you're sure to hear their best songs, including this one.
Divinyls
Divinyls was an Australian rock band from the 1980s. Their most famous single, I Touch Myself, hit #1 in Australia. It charted in English-speaking countries like the US, the UK, and Canada, as well. Global music fans might not know that Chrissy Amphlett and Mark McEntee enjoyed a decade of fame in Australia before that smash hit.
The band is no longer active but, across their 14 years together, they released six studio albums. Other popular Divinyls songs include Boys in Town, Pleasure and Pain, and Science Fiction. Now, a shoutout to anyone taking singing lessons Perth: are any of these songs in your repertoire?
Cold Chisel
This band was formed in the 1970s in Adelaide. Cold Chisel are legends of Australian Pub rock with a sound that blends rock, blues, and soul. Anthems like “Khe Sanh” and “Flame Trees” perfectly capture the heart of Aussie life, which is how they continue to find fans from every generation.
INXS
INXS, pronounced “in excess”, traces its origins to Sydney. Initially, they fit in with the new-wave/pop scene, but soon embraced a harder style. Their hits Never Tear Us Apart and Devil Inside recall those early sounds. Need You Tonight and New Sensation pay tribute to their later, rawer forays. Yet all these songs appeared on their 1987 album, Kick.
INXS is the third band on our list to feature brothers, after AC/DC and The Bee Gees. Andrew, John and Tim Farriss form half of INXS, which also goes by The Farriss Brothers.
Kick was INXS' sixth studio release. By that time, the band already had 3 platinum albums, making it top of the list of popular Australian bands. You could jump straight in with Kick, or enjoy their whole catalogue. They have a strong discography that predates Kick.
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil, or The Oils, as they are known, is a classic Australian alternative rock band from Sydney. Before becoming The Oils, they united as Farm and began touring (in 1975).
A year later, the band changed its name, and began pursuing recording contracts. Their 1978 self-titled debut album earned them a cult following, but no mainstream acceptance.
Their breakthrough came in the late 1980s with their album Diesel and Dust. This collection brought them international recognition with songs like “The Dead Heart”, “Put Down That Weapon”, and “Dreamworld. This song is arguably that album's best track.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
The alternative rock group, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, has been around since the early 1980s. Nick and his remarkable baritone are all that remain of the band's original line-up. Members have come and gone through the years and across their 17 studio albums. From Her to Eternity (1984) and Wild God (2024) bookend this band's 40-year history.
If you're taking singing lessons Brisbane, consider one of Nick's songs for your next audition. You likely already know O Children from the Harry Potter film, and Where the Wild Roses Grow is a lovely duet. Better yet: you're sure to be impressed with The Ship Song; do you know it?
Little River Band
Little River Band found major success in the US with their tracks "Reminiscing" and "Lonesome Loser". They were international radio staples during the late 70s and 80s thanks to their smooth harmonies and soft rock hits. They remain one of the most commercially successful Australian bands outside of their home country.
Savage Garden
This duo enjoyed a short run, but for their eight years together, they made phenomenal music. Their two albums, a self-titled debut (1997), and Affirmation (1999), yielded a string of #1 hits. Voice coaches giving singing lessons Sydney or elsewhere often drill their students in Savage Garden songs.
To the Moon and Back, I Want You, and I Knew I Loved You all became international hits. But then, torch songs fell out of favour, and grunge came to rule the airwaves. However, that music genre shone brightly only for a time. Truly, Madly, Deeply is still the song lovers dedicate to one another.
Silverchair
Silverchair were founded in Newcastle, New South Wales. Silverchair started out as more of a grunge band and then, their sound shifted towards alternative rock. Of all the Aussi bands on our list, Silverchair is the most renowned.
With 10 million albums sold and more ARIA Music Awards than any other artist, Silverchair ranks among Australia's most commercially and critically successful groups.
Music fans consider their 1995 debut album, Frogstomp, their best. Fan favourite songs like Faultline and Tuna in the Brine are raw and energetic. Remember that their sound evolved over time, Tomorrow and Freak sound like songs from different bands. However, their anthem will forever be Pure Massacre.
Tame Impala
Tame Impala doesn't quite qualify for a 'best groups' list, as Kevin Parker is the whole band. However, since Tame Impala appears as a band when performing live, we consider the inclusion legitimate and worthwhile. This psychedelic pop/rock act makes music to get lost in.
This music project started in 2007, as a home recording experiment, with tracks posted to social media. Favourable feedback led to Kevin signing a contract with Modular Recordings, a year later. Today, Tame Impala has four albums to their name: Innerspeaker, Lonerism, Currents, and The Slow Rush. Apocalypse Dreams, from his second album, remains a fan favourite.
The Easybeats
The Easybeats were formed in Sydney in the mid-60s and became Australia's first true rock 'n' roll export. Their 1966 hit "Friday on My Mind" was a worldwide success and one of Australia's most iconic songs. They combined the British Invasion sound with Aussie energy.
The Avalanches
The Avalanches are another group on this list that isn't a band in the traditional sense. Rather, they constitute a DJ collective that creates music they call either 'plunderphonics' or 'sampledelia'.
Music compositions made of samples, particularly from 1960s psychedelia, to create new sounds and songs.
Despite The Avalanches' meagre three studio album output, they are not new and upcoming Australian acts. They're one of the biggest Australian bands, with international recognition to prove it. Since I Left You and Subways are perennial crowd pleasers, but Frontier Psychiatrist receives the most praise.
Camp Cope
Camp Cope burst onto the scene in 2015. This Melbourne act plays emotionally charged punk rock, tackling sexism, mental health, and social inequality. They're known for their unapologetic DIY ethos and the striking vocals of lead singer Georgia Maq. Camp Cope quickly gained a following in Australia and beyond.
DMA's
DMA's are a Sydney band with a Britpop-inspired sound. Their dreamy, guitar-driven tracks, like "Delete" and "Silver", earned them international praise and festival slots, making them one of Australia's biggest indie exports in the 2010s.
Gang of Youths
Gang of Youths is a Sydney group that blends grandeur with vulnerability. Their breakout album, Go Farther in Lightness, includes songs like "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows." Frontman David Le'aupepe has a magnetic stage presence and a knack for poetic lyrics.
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
This is a Melbourne collective known for wild creativity and relentless musical output. The group has released over 20 albums since 2012. They fuse psych-rock, jazz, metal, and other genres. Their mind-bending tracks, such as "Rattlesnake" and "Gamma Knife", have helped them build a cult following in Australia and beyond.
The Living End
The Living End blends punk energy and rockabilly swagger. They became icons of Aussie rock in the late 90s, and "Prisoner of Society" still fires up the crowds. Their fusion of catchy hooks and political edge ensures they remain relevant decades later.
The Temper Trap
Formed in Melbourne, The Temper Trap shot to international fame with the 2008 single “Sweet Disposition”. The atmospheric sound, with Dougy Mandagi's distinct falsetto, adds to their blend of indie rock, emotional depth, and cinematic flair.
The Veronicas
The Veronicas are made up of twin sisters, Lisa and Jessica Origliasso. The Brisbane-born pop-rock duo is known for their bold style and catchy anthems. Their hits, including "Untouched" and "Hook Me Up," earned them global recognition and a loyal fan base in the pop and emo scenes.
Which is the Best Aussie Band of All Time?
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What about “Men at Work”? Their title music “Down Under” is almost the national anthem of Australia. They scored many awards and they won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1983, they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1994, and they have sold over 30 million albums worldwide.
Hi! Thanks for the great suggestion! We’ll definitely make sure to include Men at Work in our next update to the article. They’re such an iconic band, and you’re right—”Down Under” is practically a national anthem!
What about the Easybeats!!
What about 1927
Hi Ros! Thanks for the suggestion! We’ll be sure to include 1927 in our list when we update the article :)
Hi Steve! Great suggestion! We’ll make sure to add the Easybeats to our list in the next update. Thanks for pointing that out! :)
What about Jimmy Barnes? 15 solo number one albums in Australia and a further 5 with Cold Chisel.
Hi Brendan! Great point! Jimmy Barnes and Cold Chisel are absolute legends. We’ll definitely include them in our next article update.
You included 5 Seconds of Summer and Savage Garden but not Cold Chisel, The Angels, Hoodoo Gurus?
Cold Chisel should be in the top 3, let alone the top 10.
Hi Cathy! You’ve got a fair point—Cold Chisel, The Angels, and Hoodoo Gurus are Aussie legends, no doubt. It was tough narrowing down our list, but we appreciate your feedback. Cold Chisel’s influence is massive—they’d be a top pick for many. Cheers for the comment!
Think you left out best ever The Easybeats.
Hi Kerry! You’re spot on! The Easybeats definitely deserve a place among Australia’s finest. “Friday on My Mind” alone makes them legendary. Thanks for highlighting this brilliant band!
Incredible that ‘The church’ are missing from this list ..one of the most successful post-punk exports from Australia
The Church! What a brilliant mention. Their atmospheric post-punk sound certainly carved out a unique space in Australian music history.
I am left wondering why LRB are not included.
Little River Band – great shout! Their smooth rock sound and impressive international success definitely make them worthy contenders. Thanks for bringing them up!