Spanish indie bands

In November 2022, the band Izal announced they were separating. A decision which, in a way, leaves the throne of Spanish indie empty. This may sound over the top knowing that there are standout groups like Vetusta Morla—who will return in 2026—, Love of Lesbian, Lori Meyers, Sidonie, Dorian, La Casa Azul, Miss Caffeina or La Habitación Roja —let’s not forget about Los Planetas, a hallmark of Spanish indie music—, but the truth is that many fans of this music scene were left feeling orphaned. But not for long, given that bands like Viva Suecia, Shinova, Veintiuno or Siloé, alongside charming debutants, Arde Bogotá, soon took over. Before continuing, we should ask ourselves what indie music is. For some, it’s a recognizable sound. For others, an alternative way of creating, producing and distributing music. Leaving these debates aside, the truth is that this label includes a broad range of bands. But which are called on to leave their mark on the present and future of Spanish indie music? We’ll try to answer this question below.

Besmaya

Like the world of Spanish cinema, the Spanish music scene also has its pair of Javis. In this case, we’re talking about Javier Echávarri and Javier Ojanguren, at the head of Besmaya. Lifetime friends, they started their project in 2020 and, as they have admitted more than once, the pandemic went well for them. They slowly started releasing their singles, which soon caught the attention of a growing crowd of followers. In 2022, they launched their first EP, also called BESMAYA, and two years later, with high levels of expectation, came their first LP: Nuevos lemas (2024). Half an hour of natural, direct and casual lyrics wrapped in irresistible signature melodies, or as they say, half an hour of “relaxed pop.”

A song: Frágiles.

Sanguijuelas del Guadiana

The members from Sanguijuelas del Guadiana come from Siberia in Extremadura, not Russia. This is a band which, just like La Maravillosa Orquesta del Alcohol (La M.O.D.A) from Burgos, has turned the Spanish music scene on its head thanks to their cool and merry defence of rural life. After looking for training and opportunities in big cities, they returned to their roots to launch their project. “Suerte la tuya de vivir donde naces” [Lucky you to live where you were born], they sing on their debut album, Revolá (2025), produced by Jorge González (Vetusta Morla). For now, its three members, Carlos Canelada, Juan Grande and Víctor Arroba, have put Casas de Don Pedro (Badajoz)—the village of just over one thousand inhabitants where they were born—on the map for thousands of people.

A song: Septiembre.

Ultraligera

If there is one band called on to occupy Izal’s throne as we were saying earlier, that is Ultraligera. The voice of Gisme, their leader, has its own personality, but it is inevitably reminiscent of Mikel Izal’s voice—who, by the way, continues performing solo—. The sound of the band, made up of Coque Fernández, Santi Urruela and Martín Aparicio, also contributes to this feeling. After releasing their first album, Pelo de foca (2025), they have filled the iconic Riviera music hall five times; a first for a band with only a single album under their belt. Their energy, intensity and authenticity—pure rock attitude—translate into a close, urgent and charming live performance that viscerally connects with their ever-growing audience.

A song: Matanza en el hotel.

Alcalá Norte

Like a cannonball. This is how Alcalá Norte has broken into the purely indie music scene. Their first album, called Alcalá Norte (2024), is much more than La vida cañón [The cannon life], their most celebrated hit—even by Rosalía—. Songs like La calle Elfo, La sangre del pobre or Los chavales are proof of this. His lyrics, which conceal statements such as ‘Where is abundance? In saving or in wasting?’, ‘The blood of the rich is pus, the vein of the poor spill money’ or ‘I will not know if my destiny is to be saved or fallen’, invite their listeners to transcend through everyday occurrences. At the latest Independent Music MIN Awards, they took four home: Best Album of the Year, Best Rock Album, Best Song of the Year and Best Emerging Artist.

A song: La calle Elfo.

Repion

Xoel López, La M.O.D.A, Rufus T. Firefly, Tulsa, Camellos, Shego… Everyone wants to work with the Iñesta sisters —Marina and Teresa—, better known as Repion. One of the girl bands of the moment. Music has been part of their lives from an early age and, despite their youth, they are practically veterans in the field. Marina plays with Mikel Erentxun and Teresa has another band: Aiko el Grupo. With Repion (2023), which can be considered their debut album—launched seven years after Amapola dueles (2016)—, they caught people’s attention thanks to their furious riffs that contrast with their warm voices. A grunge-pop band that travels back to the 1990s and wins over both new and old generations. Their new album is just around the corner. Stay tuned!

A song: Barrio Somavilla.

Malmö 040

Spanish indie music has a certain fascination with Sweden… In the case of the band Malmö 040, their origins aren’t in the Swedish city they are named after, but rather Barcelona [Viva Suecia’s are in Murcia]. These five friends who love skate—Carlos Framis, Víctor Rossy, Nacho Peguero, Gonzalo Saumell and Joan Isern—have settled into their musical career, which took off after a successful collaboration—Matar la pena—with Besmaya, with more than 35 million streams on Spotify. With just two albums on the market—Los cobardes viven siempre (2023) and Cuando éramos felices sin saberlo (2025)—, they have renewed Spanish pop-rock with beautiful, lively and sincere melodies and sell out shows wherever they go.

A song: Los de siempre.

Emerging Spanish indie bands coexist with other more veteran groups that shouldn’t be missed. Rufus T. Firefly’s psychedelics, León Benavente’s krautrock, Triángulo de Amor Bizarro’s noise, Sexy Zebras’ garage, Mujeres’ power pop, Los Punsetes’ irreverent shoegaze, Biznaga’s combative punk, Derby Motoreta’s Burrito Kachimba’s Andalusian rock, Varry Brava’s techno-pop… There are also those who sing in English, following in the wake of pioneers like Australian Blonde, Sexy Sadie, Dover, Undershakers or The Sunday Drivers. We’re talking about Morgan, Hinds, Belako, L.A. or Neuman. We also cannot forget about bands that are equally young, but more established, like Carolina Durante, Niña Polaca, Ginebras, Cala Vento, Cariño, Cupido, Shego or La Plazuela. Spanish indie is so rich that we could keep mentioning bands, but the best thing we can do is put on our headphones and hit play!