Every generation produces bands and artists who make their mark. From the raw power of Nirvana to the sprawling soundscapes of Pink Floyd, certain acts shape culture as well as create amazing music. Today, beneath the mainstream surface, the UK’s underground scene is alive with bands and artists whose originality and bite suggest they could still be talked about in 50 years.

Whilst there are millions of acts that will fade into what critics refer to as “indie landfill”, a graveyard of bands who never really made it, despite some having a good solid fanbase and great tracks to their name, time just rolled on without them, leaving them behind, choking on the exhaust fumes of the front runners. There are a select few from the current day that have already started carving out something timeless, that our kids will be seeking out and celebrating, just like we did with The Beatles, The Stones, Led Zeppelin and Hendrix.

“These are the names that could echo through the decades, long after the initial noise has faded.”

In no particular order…..

Black Midi

Avant‑garde math‑rock chaos, redefining guitar music with fearless experimentation. Classic work: Schlagenheim (2019)

Squid

Post‑punk innovators blending krautrock rhythms with sharp social commentary. Classic work: Bright Green Field (2021)

Shame

Raw, politically charged energy, carrying the spirit of punk into the modern age. Classic work: Songs of Praise (2018)

IDLES

Ferocious Bristol punks whose anthems of rage and compassion already feel iconic. Classic work: Joy as an Act of Resistance (2018)

Dry Cleaning

Deadpan spoken‑word delivery over angular post‑punk textures — utterly distinctive. Classic work: New Long Leg (2021)

The Murder Capital

Dublin‑born but London‑adopted, their brooding intensity recalls Joy Division’s legacy. Classic work: When I Have Fears (2019)

Black Country, New Road

Expansive, genre‑defying collective blending jazz, post‑rock, and folk storytelling. Classic work: Ants From Up There (2022)

Nova Twins

Fierce duo fusing punk, grime, and metal — a future blueprint for genre hybridity. Classic work: Supernova (2022)

Porridge Radio

Emotional indie rock with raw vulnerability, already cult‑beloved. Classic work: Every Bad (2020)

Goat Girl

South London’s surreal, politically sharp indie — playful yet biting. Classic work: On All Fours (2021)

“Millions of bands will vanish into the ether. Only a few will be remembered.”

This list is just a provocation. Which UK acts do you believe will still matter in 50 years? Who will carry the same gravitas as the legends of the past?

We want your nominations. Challenge this list. Add your own. Debate is part of what keeps music alive — and the conversation around legacy is as important as the music itself.

Which underground or alternative UK acts do you think will still be remembered in 2075?

Which names deserve to rise above the “indie landfill” and into legend?

Drop your picks in the comments, share your stories, and let’s see which artists the GLC community believes will stand the test of time.