5 Gen Z Bands That Define the Generation

2025-04-18

Bad Omens

In honor of the fresh and modern music of Gen Z, Audio Ink Radio presents its tally of five bands that embody Generation Z. – Author: Anne Erickson, Photo via Oswaldo Cepeda

With every new generation comes a brand new range of musical tastes. The Baby Boomers have classic rock; Gen X has grunge and early hip-hop; the millennials have nu-metal and post-grunge; and Gen Z bands have their own sounds, too. Of course, it’s not that simple, and each generation really had numerous musical genres that became popular as they started to discover music. But, each generation is certainly known for their trademark music.

Generation Z, according to McKinsey & Company, encompasses those “born between 1996 and 2010. They’re the second-youngest generation, between millennials and Generation Alpha.” According to the Stanford Report, “Gen Z are typically self-driven, collaborative and diverse-minded. They value flexibility, authenticity and a pragmatic approach to addressing problems.”

In honor of the modern music of Gen Z, Audio Ink Radio presents its tally of five bands that embody Generation Z. These artists and Gen Z bands are among the most celebrated in this budding generation.

5 Defining Gen Z Bands

Bad Omens

Bad Omens, pictured above, took metalcore to the next level with their 2022 release, “The Death of Peace of Mind,” and in the process, they became the poster boys for heavy music that Gen Z loves. The group formed in Richmond, Virginia, in 2015 with vocalist and producer Noah Sebastian at the helm, and Sebastian and the rest of the group have earned a cult following of sorts.

Billie Eilish

Of course, Billie Eilish isn’t a band, she’s a solo artist, but she really does represent Generation Z, so we had to include her on this tally. She became a global name in 2015 with her debut single “Ocean Eyes,” which was written and produced by her brother, Finneas O’Connell. Since then, Eilish has become one of the biggest names in pop and alternative music, and she and her brother have proven influential forces in the music of Generation Z.

BTS

K-pop certainly became a thing as Gen Z was starting to discover music, and BTS is one of the biggest bands of their generation, worldwide. The musical genre originated in South Korea in the 1990s, with local Korean musicians incorporating Western influences into their music, from hip-hop to R&B to dance. BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, got together in 2010 and soon became one of the biggest groups in the world.

Falling in Reverse

Generation Z loves mixing genres, and Falling in Reverse does that to great accord, meshing heavy metal, metalcore, hip-hop and hardcore. The band formed in 2008 with vocalist Ronnie Radke at the helm, and Radke has become one of the idols in music for the Gen Z generation. (Although, being born in 1983, he’s actually part of the millennial generation). Radke’s music speaks to Gen Z, and they listen.

Greta Van Fleet

Greta Van Fleet makes music that sounds like it came from yesterday, in the form of very nostalgic classic rock that recalls Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. But, these guys appeal to Gen Z, and their band members are in Generation Z. The band has had quite a few No. 1 rock hits, and their music has also gotten the attention of greats such as Elton John. These Michigan guys make a rollicking kind of “classic” rock that appeals to the youngins and their parents, and grandparents, alike.

Anne Erickson
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Posted by Anne Erickson | Features, Music, Rock