alternative music

American  

[awl-tur-nuh-tiv myoo-zik] / ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv ˈmju zɪk /

noun

1. music that is outside the mainstream and does not conform to the standard type of any genre, often characterized by features such as experimental or intricate instrumentation, layered sound, and reflective, emotional, or socially aware lyrics.

2. rock music that departs from classic or mainstream rock, borrowing from or crossing over into other genres, such as punk, heavy metal, electronica, or folk.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alternative music

There really is a festival for every musical taste - with Download Festival perhaps the most notable among fans of rock and alternative music.

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026

In his ten years of work, he has become a leading figure in Senegal's alternative music scene, demonstrating that not all of the country's hits have to be in its homegrown Mbalax style.

From Barron's ● Feb. 23, 2026

Perhaps the station’s most well-known personality, Matt Pinfield is a former MTV VJ and one-time host of the popular alternative music show “120 Minutes.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2025

And now, if you look at alternative music, I mean, there’s been an absolute explosion of people using unconventional instrumentation within the breath of alternative music, as it should be.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 24, 2025

Then, she took me down to the import section and told me about “real” alternative music.

From "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky