21 French Bands and Artists You Should Know in 2024
While music groups were part of France’s cultural landscape as early as the Middle-Age with the troubadours, the first contemporary French bands date back to the 60’s with the Yé-Yé, a movement inspired by American Rock ‘n’ Roll and Elvis Presley.
Folk, Progressive Rock, Hard Rock and Punk were popular in the 70’s replaced by New Wave and synthesizers in the 80’s. This was probably the most prolific decade when it comes to influential bands and singers who are still going strong to this day. The “French Touch” electronic music scene emerged in the 90’s, many of its pioneering artists gaining international fame, most particularly a couple of robots. In the 2000s, independent artists became trendy but nowadays, unsurprisingly, Hip Hop and mainstream pop are topping the charts, like in most parts of the world. New bands and artists inspired by the 80’s and 90’s are however providing a welcome alternative, bridging the gap between old and new generations.
While there are obviously plenty of famous and lesser-known French bands and artists worth a listen, we will here focus on a non-exhaustive selection of French musicians that are close to our musical roots, from the late 60’s to the current French music scene. So do not expect to hear about usual suspects such as the French Elvis (!), Edith Piaf, Brigitte Bardot or Rita Mitsuko but rather a subjective selection of Post-Punk, indie pop, electronic groups groups and singers.
Here is our selection of 21 French bands and artists that you should know in 2024. They sing in French, English or both. You can listen to the artists listed below on This Is French Cool playlist, This French Synth-Pop 1980 – 2022 playlist, French Post-Punk 1980 – 2022 and This Is French Dark Wave | Cold Wave | Goth playlist.
AIR
A pioneer of the French Touch electronic music scene, they found international success with hits such as “Sexy Boy”. They also produced Charlotte Gainsbourg’s first album.
BENJAMIN BIOLAY
One of the most acclaimed current French artists, Benjamin Biolay follows Serge Gainsbourg steps, creating romantic pop songs with a light Post-Punk flair and world music influences such as Tango. His latest release is Saint Clair and you should listen to Trash Yé-Yé and La Superbe.
DAFT PUNK
Once known as the future of French electro, Grammy award winning Daft Punk need no introduction, having found international recognition with the dance floor hit “Get Lucky”. We however prefer their debut album Homework.
JACQUES DUTRONC
Known for his ironic lyrics and nonchalance, Jacques Dutronc got his break as a Yé-Yé artist in the 60’s. Along his friend Serge Gainsbourg and then girlfriend Françoise Hardy, he is one the rare artists who remained relevant and influential throughout the years. Because he has too many great songs to just pick one, you should listen to one of this best-ofs. His latest release is Dutronc & Dutronc with his – jazz guitar extraordinaire – son Thomas whose mother is Françoise Hardy. Father and son are touring together in France promoting their new album.
ETIENNE DAHO
Acclaimed French artist Étienne Daho is undoubtedly the one responsible for bringing French Synth Pop into the mainstream thanks to a series of hits such as “Week-end à Rome”,”Tombé Pour la France”, ” Épaule Tattoo” and “Le grand Sommeil” which remain some of his best songs to date. Starting his career in 1978, he is still going strong to this day and has released some of my favorite French songs.
FEU! CHATTERTON
Slightly excentric like many other French artists – think M, La Femme, Phillipe Katerine – Paris-based Feu! Chatterton found critical acclaimed with its mix of pop, chanson francaise and synth-pop. Listen to their latest album Palais d’Argile.
SERGE GAINSBOURG
The most influential French singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg’s career lasted 3 decades, from 60’s pop to jazz, reggae, rock, funk and electronica. He was not only known for his musical talent but also for his provocative persona. He died from a heart attack in 1991 and has gained a cult following around the world, from London to New York. There are way too many good albums and songs to recommend but my favorite song is probably “Requiem Pour Un Con” which was featured in the movie Le Pacha.
CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG
The daughter of Serge Gainsbourg and British model singer Jane Birkin – Charlotte Gainsbourg is a world-renown actress who also gained critical acclaim for her 3 studio albums – listen to the Post-Punk fueled single “Dead Valentine” from her latest album Rest. She mostly sings in English and has made sure to develop her own style rather than imitating her dad.
ELLI & JACNO
Founded by ex The Stinky Toys and couple Elli Medeiros & Jacno, this French electro-pop band released 3 albums and a few singles including “Je T’Aime Tant”. They lasted 4 years, from 1980 to 1984, both of them continuing as solo artists, Elli Medeiros more particularly founding commercial success with her first solo album as well as singles like “A Bailar Calypso” and “Toi Mon Toit”.
INDOCHINE
New wave era band Indochine is probably the most enduring French group, finding success with its debut album and single “L’Aventurier”. After hitting a low and becoming has been in the 90s, they made a come back in 2002 with the acclaimed album Paradize. Since then, they have remained the best-selling French act, touring stadiums and releasing a succession of hit records. Some of their discography can be cringy at times, but Paradize is a solid pop-industrial album.
JAD WIO
New Wave Bondage-Cabaret band Jad Wio released the Synth-Pop album Contact in 1989 which turned them into a cult act thanks to erotic songs such as “L’amour à la hâte”, “Ophélie”. “Priscilla” and “Mad Sex”. With 6 albums under its belt, the band is still releasing music and playing shows.
LA FEMME
Mixing psychedelic sounds with a post-punk influence, La Femme features a cool French vibe that made it a cult act here in the US. Listen to the album Psycho Tropical Berlin.
THE LIMINANAS
A psychedelic garage French band fronted by a husband and wife, the Liminanas embrace a wide variety of musical roots from The Velvet Underground, Ennio Morricone, Serge Gainsbourg and The Cramps to create a very unique universe and exciting live performances. Check out the song “Calentita” and their brand new Best Of Electrified.
MANO NEGRA / MANU CHAO
One of the most popular live bands in the late 80’s to mid-90’s, this Gipsy Punk group was fronted by Manu Chao who found international fame as a solo artist, most particularly in Europe, Latin and South America. Check out Mano Negra’s King of the Bongos and Manu Chao’s.Clandestino.
MARQUIS DE SADE / MARQUIS / MARC SEBERG
One of the first major French Post-Punk bands, Marquis de Sade released 2 studio albums in the 80’s and are now back as Marquis with a new singer – Listen to “Back to Cruelty”. Their original singer Philippe Pascal who past away a few years ago was also the singer of one of our favorite French New Wave bands, Marc Seberg – listen to their 1990 album Le Bout des Nerfs.
MARTIN DUPONT
A French cold wave band from Marseille, Martin Dupont released 4 albums between 1984 and 1987 and gained recognition with the song “Inside Out”. They are making their comeback with a new album and international live shows in 2023. Listen to the album Hot Paradox.
NOIR DESIR
French rock band Noir Désir built its reputation on fiery live performances – I can attest having seen them several times – and a charismatic singer whose poetic lyrics were strongly influenced by French literature. Their career lasted 2 decades until the singer was found guilty of the death of this then girlfriend. They reached commercial success with the Grunge-infused album Tostaki but you should most particularly listen to Du Ciment Sous les Plaines and Des Visages Des Figures.
NOISEGUN
A French American artist born in Marseille and based in Los Angeles, newcomer Noisegun crosses musical and cultural borders, from Synthpop to Dark Wave, Shoegaze, Post-Punk with both French and English lyrics. Listen to Noisegun on Spotify.
NOUVELLE VAGUE
A group of French musicians making Bossa Nova versions 80’s New Wave songs might have sound like a weird idea but it turned out to be a recipe for success including collaborations with Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore. Listen to their cover of Public Image Limited’s “This Is Not A Love Song” from their first album.
PHOENIX
This Grammy award nominated French indie rock band from Versailles gained international recognition with famous songs such as “Listzomania”. Their singer Thomas Mars sings in fluent English and is married to Sophia Coppola. Their latest album is Alpha Zulu which they have been supporting with a worldwide tour.
XENO & OAKLANDER
Based in New York this Dark Wave duo is not – technically – French but is fronted by a French Norwegian artist who sings fluently in English and French language. Xeno & Oaklander’s best track might be “Afar” from their latest LP Vi/deo.
This of course a small selection as there are plenty of other – old and new – great bands such as Marc Seberg, Taxi Girl, Alain Bashung, Berruriers Noirs, Sebastien Tellier, M83, Phillipe Katerine, IAM, Minuit Machine, M, Clara Luciani (a one time La Femme member), Odezenne, Calypso Valois (the daughter Elli Medeiros & Jacno), Minuit (fronted by the daughter of Rita Mitsuko’s Catherine Ringer), Zazie and Gwendoline to name a few. To learn more about French music and specific genres, make sure to check out our other posts about French Synth-pop, French Post-Punk, French Goth Coldwave and French bands that sing in English.
>> You can listen to the artists listed here on This Is French Cool playlist, This French Synth-Pop 1980 – 2022 playlist, French Post-Punk 1980 – 2022 and This Is French Dark Wave | Cold Wave | Goth playlist.
