Yes, Bali has a music scene that’s way deeper than what you hear from beach bars, Sunday ecstatic DJs or elevator music in spas. It’s punk bands who’ve been around for decades. Folk duos singing about climate change in Balinese. Shoegaze, psychobilly, reggae, grunge — all shaped this magical island.
Let’s get into top Bali bands for you to discover.
Navicula
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Navicula has been making grunge-psych-blues magic since the ‘90s — long before anyone thought “eco-activist” and “rock band” could live in the same sentence. No list of top Bali Bands is complete without them. They blend Seattle grunge with Balinese soul, sing about rainforest loss, corruption, spirituality, and whatever else needs saying. They’ve played festivals around the world, but still feel deeply rooted in Bali’s dirt. Call them “Green Grunge Gentlemen.” And don’t skip their live shows — they hit harder than you’d think for a band that also plants trees.
Nosstress
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Nosstress is what happens when two guys with acoustic guitars grow up into thoughtful, genre-bending songwriters who casually throw environmental and social commentary into their hooks. They’re soft in sound but not in message — protest folk without the shouting, or blues with a side of Bali reality. Their songs are in Balinese and Indonesian, and their vibe is extremely “sit down, breathe, and listen.” If you want a band that makes you think and feel (without yelling at you), this is it.
The Hydrant
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The Hydrant pretty much brought rockabilly to Bali and invented the local scene. Leather jackets, upright bass, greased hair and all. Formed in 2004, they’ve kept that vintage sound alive for 20+ years, even touring internationally and releasing their latest album on vinyl (Motel Kutadalajara, 2025). The shows are fast, sweaty, nostalgic. But also somehow warm and unpretentious.
Lolot
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Lolot is Bali’s alternative-rock institution. Singing entirely in Balinese since 2002, they’ve stayed true to both language and local identity, while still making music that feels huge and global in sound. Their early fans now have teenagers — and those teenagers still know the lyrics. That’s legacy. If you want to understand what music means to the island beyond tourist playlists, start here. Also: their live shows? Packed. Always.
Nanoe Biroe
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If you’ve spent more than five minutes in a local café, you’ve probably heard Nanoe Biroe — reggae with a punk edge and way more attitude than expected. Their lyrics? Balinese, sharp, sometimes controversial. Their energy? Unfiltered. They once did an 80-hour nonstop show in Denpasar, which tells you everything. Not for the faint of heart. But Bali wouldn’t be Bali without them.
Joni Agung & Double T
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Reggae that doesn’t take itself too seriously — but still shows up with rhythm and heart. That’s Joni Agung & Double T. It’s warm, light, a little cheeky. Think Bob Marley meets Bali banter. Joni’s also a yoga instructor, because of course he is. A local icon who makes reggae feel very at home, making sure raggae is well represented in Bali top bands.
Suicidal Sinatra
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Started as speed metal. Rebranded as psychobilly. Still loud, still sweaty, still leftist. Suicidal Sinatra brings upright bass, leather jackets, and the kind of political punk energy that doesn’t really care if you agree — but might still make you dance. Catch them live if you want chaos with a mission.
Scared Of Bums
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Yes, that’s their real name. Yes, they’ve been around for over 20 years. Scared Of Bums play melodic hardcore with real staying power — fast, emotional, tight. They hit the national stage in the 2000s, but still rep Bali like they never left. For anyone whose teen angst didn’t fade at 25.
Superman Is Dead (SID)
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SID is Bali punk royalty. Formed in Kuta, toured the US, played Vans Warped Tour, called out politicians on Instagram. They’re loud in more ways than one. Massive fanbase. Somewhere between skate punk, street rock, and surfboard rebellion. Even if punk’s not your thing — these guys helped build Bali’s scene.
Emoni Band
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Traditional Balinese instruments + indie folk songwriting = Emoni. They revive old children’s songs (gending rare) and layer them with rindik, gangsa, suling, and a whole lot of feeling. It’s sweet, weirdly emotional, and totally original. If you want something that sounds like Bali without sounding like background music — start here.
Kanekuro
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Bali’s darkwave-punk for the emotionally fried. Kanekuro plays like they’ve been reading your journal at 2am — tight drums, surfy guitar, and lyrics that lean into mental messiness without turning it into a brand. They sing about haunted minds, quiet panic, and internet-era overstimulation — but you can still move to it. It’s broody, smart, and zero percent performative. If post-punk grew up in Denpasar, this would be it.
Astera
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Astera is Bali indie pop at its cleanest — sparkly hooks, easy-on-the-ears vocals, and just enough bounce to keep things from getting too chill. They’re the band you want on during a sunset scooter ride or while fake-working at a café. Started as a quartet, now a trio — and tighter for it. There’s polish, sure. But also real joy in the songwriting. You won’t cry to it. You’ll maybe text someone back.
White Swan
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White Swan does what a lot of rock bands try and fail at: sound big without sounding full of themselves. They’ve been at it since 2016, putting out solid albums with real range — from riff-heavy anthems to moody late-night tracks. Not reinventing the genre, but definitely upgrading the vibe. If you’re into clean, crunchy guitars and actual live-band energy, go give them a listen. No fake-deep lyrics. No filler.
SeemS
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SeemS hits that emo-pop-rock sweet spot. A little Paramore, a little Bali edge, and a lot of feeling-your-feelings-quietly-in-the-corner. They’ve got melodic range and vocals that don’t overdo it — catchy without being cutesy, emotional without being exhausting. This is what you queue up for a post-fight walk or when you’re not quite spiraling but definitely in a mood.
Rajawali Ingkar Janji (RIJ)
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RIJ is Bali’s musical fever dream. Satirical, psychedelic, stoner-adjacent — and weird in a way that’s fully on purpose. They play in costumes, mix genres like soup, and somehow pull it off. One minute it’s comedy, next it’s face-melting guitar solos. They’re not trying to be liked. Which is exactly why it works.
If you enjoyed getting to know more of Bali, beyond the superficial, follow our Bali Newbie Survival Guides here, or check out the latest guide here.
Whom did we miss on the Bali top bands list?
