Indian indie bands you should not miss include When Chai Met Toast from Kochi, The Yellow Diary from Mumbai, Anand Bhaskar Collective, The Local Train from Delhi, Indian Ocean, and Chandigarh rock acts Swastik and Naalayak. Each has built a following through live shows and streaming rather than film music.
Bollywood songs and Punjabi tracks still lead most Indian playlists, but independent music has grown steadily, helped by YouTube, Spotify and a busy college and festival circuit. Artists such as Ritviz and Prateek Kuhad have crossed into the mainstream, while many bands continue to grow city by city. This refreshed list keeps the five bands from our original piece and adds two acts that any new listener should know. More music and culture stories are in our entertainment section.
Indie bands you should not miss: quick list
| Band | Home base | Sound | Start with |
|---|---|---|---|
| When Chai Met Toast | Kochi, Kerala | Feel-good folk pop | “Firefly” |
| The Yellow Diary | Mumbai | Hindi pop rock, soulful vocals | “Mann” |
| Anand Bhaskar Collective | Multi-city line-up | Hindi rock with classical touches | “Rangrez” |
| The Local Train | Delhi | Hindi rock | “Choo Lo” |
| Indian Ocean | Delhi | Fusion rock | “Kandisa” |
| Swastik | Chandigarh | Rock with Indian classical elements | “Jogi” |
| Naalayak | Chandigarh | Satirical rock | Live sets |
1. When Chai Met Toast
When Chai Met Toast is a band from Kochi, Kerala, led by singer Ashwin Gopakumar. Its sound is light, warm and acoustic, built around ukulele, guitar and sing-along choruses about simple joys and growing up.
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The band writes mainly in English, with songs in Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam as well. It tours widely, playing college fests and its own headline shows, and its concerts are known for crowds singing along to every chorus. “Firefly” and “Believe” are easy entry points.
2. The Yellow Diary
The Yellow Diary is a Mumbai band known for emotional Hindi songs that mix pop, rock and soulful vocals. It has grown largely through YouTube and streaming, and through steady touring across Indian cities.
Its songs tend to focus on love, longing and self-doubt, with lyrics that fans quote often. The single “Mann” is a good introduction to its sound, along with its earlier releases that first built its following.
3. Anand Bhaskar Collective
Anand Bhaskar Collective, often called ABC, is led by singer-songwriter Anand Bhaskar. It began as his own project and grew into a full band of musicians who share his interest in combining Hindi poetry with rock.
The band’s album Excuse Me is regarded by many listeners as a modern classic of Hindi rock. Tracks such as “Rangrez” show its mix of Indian melodies, rock guitars and high-energy live delivery.
4. The Local Train
The Local Train started in Delhi and became one of the defining Hindi rock bands of the last decade. Its debut album, Aalas Ka Pedh, released in 2015, includes “Choo Lo” and “Aaftaab”, songs that are still staples at college festivals.
The band’s appeal lies in simple, honest Hindi lyrics and big guitar choruses that crowds sing back word for word. It is the band most new listeners discover first when they move from film music to indie rock.
5. Indian Ocean
Formed in Delhi in 1990, Indian Ocean is one of the pioneers of Indian fusion rock. The band blends rock with folk and devotional music, and its album Kandisa, released in 2000, is still widely played.
The band has also composed for films such as Black Friday and Peepli Live. Anyone exploring Indian indie music should know where much of it began.
6. Swastik
Swastik is a Chandigarh rock band that blends Indian classical influences with alternative rock. Its songs “Kuch Bhi Kar” and “Jogi” are its best-known tracks on YouTube and streaming platforms.
Its music suits listeners who like heavy guitars but still want a strong Hindi melody at the centre of each song. The band has gone through line-up changes over the years, so check its current members and tour dates on its official pages.
7. Naalayak
Naalayak is an independent rock band from Chandigarh with a playful, theatrical stage presence. Its songs poke fun at modern habits, social media hype and people who applaud anything outrageous.
The band is best experienced live, where the humour and energy come through more strongly than on recordings. Its sets often include sharp commentary between songs, which makes each show feel different.
How to find more Indian indie music
- Follow curated indie playlists on Spotify, JioSaavn and YouTube Music, which regularly feature new Indian bands.
- Check ticketing apps for small-venue gigs in your city. Most indie bands earn their following through live shows.
- Watch out for music festivals such as NH7 Weekender and college fests, which often book several indie acts in one line-up.
Interested in the people behind the music? Our people section features profiles of artists and creators.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best indie band in India?
There is no single answer, but The Local Train, When Chai Met Toast, Indian Ocean and Anand Bhaskar Collective are among the most widely followed Indian indie bands.
Where is When Chai Met Toast from?
When Chai Met Toast is from Kochi in Kerala. The band sings mostly in English, with some songs in Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam.
What is The Local Train’s most popular song?
“Choo Lo” from the 2015 album Aalas Ka Pedh is the band’s best-known song, along with “Aaftaab”.
How can I listen to Indian indie bands?
Most of these bands release music on Spotify, JioSaavn, Apple Music and YouTube, and post tour dates on their social media pages.
Sources: Wikipedia: When Chai Met Toast, Wikipedia: Indian Ocean, Rolling Stone India.
