alternative music

noun

: 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

Examples of alternative music in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For most of that time, Mana Wynwood has hosted the alternative music festival. — Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Rather than writing traditional Broadway show tunes, Sheik and Sater created a rock score that drew on the emotional directness of alternative music. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2026

Rosalía is also competing in the categories of pop song, alternative music album, Portuguese language song and short form music video. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

In 2024 The Record won the Grammy for best alternative music album and scored a nomination for album of the year. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above