alternative music

noun

: music that is produced by performers who are outside the musical mainstream, that is typically regarded as more eclectic, original, or challenging than most popular music (such as conventional rock, pop, or country), and that is often distributed by independent record labels

Examples of alternative music in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2024 The Record won the Grammy for best alternative music album and scored a nomination for album of the year. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026

On the previous episode of Lipps Service, DeathbyRomy waxed poetic about her journey from growing up in California to becoming one of alternative music’s most unique voices. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026

Prior to its arrival in Chicago as a destination festival in 2005, Lollapalooza toured the country as a tastemaking showcase for alternative music and more in the 1990s, with Smashing Pumpkins headlining the fourth installment in 1994. — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

The Smashing Pumpkins and the xx offer darker references from two different periods in alternative music. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above