Bands & artists like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

If you like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, these artists play in similar sounds, ideas, or styles. Use this as a starting point to branch out and find something new to listen to.

New to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds? Start with our listening guide.

Artists to try next

The Birthday Party

The Birthday Party

As a precursor to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, their chaotic energy and dark themes resonate with similar intensity.

gothic rock post-punk
Swans

Swans

Their experimental rock sound features heavy dynamics and a brooding atmosphere that parallels Nick Cave's work.

alternative rock art rock avant-garde music
Tom Waits

Tom Waits

Waits' gravelly voice and storytelling style create a similarly haunting and atmospheric experience.

blues experimental music jazz
Joy Division

Joy Division

Their post-punk sound, marked by dark lyrics and moody instrumentation, aligns well with the gothic elements of Cave's music.

post-punk
Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen

Guide

Cohen's deep vocals and poetic lyrics evoke a somber, reflective mood akin to the emotional depth found in Cave's work.

blues folk music folk rock
The National

The National

Guide

Their atmospheric soundscapes and introspective lyrics share a kinship with the brooding narratives of Nick Cave.

indie rock post-punk
David Bowie

David Bowie

Guide

Bowie's later work, especially his more experimental phases, resonates with the dark theatricality found in Cave's music.

alternative rock ambient music art pop
Interpol

Interpol

Their moody post-punk revival sound features atmospheric guitars and introspective lyrics reminiscent of Nick Cave's style.

alternative rock indie rock post-punk revival

Common questions

Who sounds like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds?

Artists similar to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds include The Birthday Party, Swans, Tom Waits and Joy Division. Each shares elements of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds's sound while bringing their own perspective.

What genre is Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds?

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is primarily known for alternative rock, post-punk and experimental rock. The music pulses with a brooding intensity, characterized by cavernous spaces and deliberate dynamics that evoke both tension and catharsis.

Where should I start if I like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds?

If you enjoy Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, start with The Birthday Party — their album "A Collection ..." is a great entry point. As a precursor to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, their chaotic energy and dark themes resonate with similar intensity.