alternative music

noun

Updated on: 2 May 2018

Definition of alternative music

: 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

Recent Examples of alternative music from the Web

The striking vocals and ringing guitars of Steve Frisbie and Liam Davis have long been a hallmark of Chicago power pop band Frisbie, a stellar outfit that sprang from the city's rich alternative music scene of the 1990s.

— chrissie dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago's Frisbie celebrates 20 years with more great tunes," 26 Apr. 2018
Bon Iver After winning the Grammy for best alternative music album, Bon Iver also nabbed the best new artist prize.

— nina braca, Billboard, "2010s Grammys Best New Artist Winners: Where Are They Now?," 22 Jan. 2018
How about a shout-out to Kate Bush, Bjork and Tori Amos, who each make legitimate alternative music that is critically lauded and relatively high-profile.

— gary trust, Billboard, "Ask Billboard: Remembering the Time When Michael Jackson Kept Hitting the Hot 100's Top 10, From 'Thriller' to 'Dangerous'," 21 Jan. 2018
Over the years, the group has been recognized as one of the top acts on Cleveland's alternative music scene.

— anne nickoloff, cleveland.com, "See Seafair perform Feb. 5 at the Cleveland Sessions launch party at the Music Box Supper Club," 30 Jan. 2018
The party pulled the ad and replaced it with alternative music.

— joe mullin, Ars Technica, "New Zealand political party infringed Eminem copyright, must pay $412k," 27 Oct. 2017
Also, the weekend before the Las Vegas bloodbath, Paddock had rented a high-rise condo in a Las Vegas building that overlooked the Life is Beautiful alternative music festival, Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said Tuesday.

— kansascity, "Did Las Vegas gunman target other music festivals?," 5 Oct. 2017
Also, the weekend before the Las Vegas bloodbath, Paddock had rented a high-rise condo in a Las Vegas building that overlooked the Life is Beautiful alternative music festival, Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said Tuesday.

— CBS News, "Did Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock target other music festivals?," 5 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alternative music.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of alternative music

1974

in the meaning defined above

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