alternative music

noun

|Updated on: 11 Jul 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

Light alternative music spilled out of the open doorway to passers-by.

— brandon rasmussen, idahostatesman, "Plant yourself at this new spot now open for coffee, tea in Boise," 5 July 2018
The best alternative music album nominees, too, feel like textbook Grammy-world acts.

— mark yarm, Billboard, "Do the 2018 Grammys Have a Problem With Rock?," 19 Jan. 2018
Monday is for alternative music: Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers, Coldplay.

— ben baskin, SI.com, "Davis Webb Will Be Ready When It’s Time to Step Out of Eli Manning’s Shadow," 6 June 2018
But never fear, there are plenty of rock, R&B, jazz, and pop singers to fill the city’s alternative music venues.

— andrea williams, Condé Nast Traveler, "5 Nashville Must-Visit Music Venues (For Folks Who Hate Country)," 18 May 2018
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

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.