Top 10 LGBTQ+ Rock Bands in 2023
Rock music has always been a genre that celebrates diversity, rebellion, and self-expression. And in 2023, there are more LGBTQ+ rock bands than ever before, making waves in the music industry and beyond.
Indie darlings, punk rockers, or metalheads—these bands fearlessly embrace authenticity, sharing their stories with the world. Here are 10 of the best LGBTQ+ rock bands that you should check out in 2023.
1. Against Me!
Against Me! is a punk rock band that has been active since 1997. Their lead singer, Laura Jane Grace, coming out as a transgender woman in 2012, brought increased fame and respect.
The band has released two albums that deal with Grace’s transition and identity. These are “Transgender Dysphoria Blues (2014)” and “Shape Shift With Me (2016)”. In 2023, they are set to release their eighth studio album, titled “The New Normal”. It features singles like “The Future Is Ours” and “Don’t Give Up On Me”.
Against Me! discusses the LGBTQ+ rock bands experience, addressing challenges and joys in a frequently hostile, ignorant world.
2. PVRIS
PVRIS is a LGBTQ+ pop rock band from Lowell, Massachusetts. It consists of three members: Lynn Gunn, Alex Babinski, and Brian MacDonald. The band is known for their blend of rock, pop, electronic music, and powerful vocals and lyrics.
They released their debut album, “White Noise (2014)”, which featured singles like “St. Patrick” and “My House”. They produced two more albums, “All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell (2017)” and “Use Me (2020)”. The albums explored themes of spirituality, mental health, and self-love.
In 2023, they released their fourth album, titled Euphoria, which features singles like “Monster” and “Thank You”. The album is a celebration of Gunn’s sexuality and identity. She came out as a lesbian in 2015 and as genderfluid in 2020.
3. Pale Waves
Pale Waves is a rock band from Manchester, England. It consists of four members: Heather Baron-Gracie, Ciara Doran, Hugo Silvani, and Charlie Wood.
The band is known for their catchy melodies, dark lyrics, and gothic aesthetic. They released their debut album, “My Mind Makes Noises (2018)”, which included singles like “There’s A Honey” and “Eighteen”. In 2020, they released their second album, “Who Am I?”. It was influenced by the personal experiences of Baron-Gracie and Doran, who are both openly queer.
The album features songs like “She’s My Religion” and “Easy”, which celebrate their sexuality and identity. In 2023, they are expected to release their third album, which they have teased as being more upbeat and optimistic.
4. Halestorm
Halestorm is a LGBTQ+ rock band from Red Lion, Pennsylvania. It consists of four members: Lzzy Hale, Arejay Hale, Joe Hottinger, and Josh Smith.
The band is known for their heavy riffs, soaring vocals, and energetic live shows. They released their debut album, “Halestorm (2009)”, which featured singles like “I Get Off” and “It’s Not You”. They followed it up with three more albums, “The Strange Case Of… (2012)”, “Into the Wild Life (2015)”, and “Vicious (2018)”. They featured singles like “Love Bites (So Do I)”, “Amen”, and “Uncomfortable”.
In 2023, they released their fifth album, titled Reckless, which features singles like “Back From The Dead” and “Break This”. The album is a reflection of Lzzy Hale’s bisexuality and her experiences as a woman in the rock scene.
5. Green Day
Green Day is a rock band from Berkeley, California. It consists of three members: Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool. The band is one of the most influential and successful bands of all time. They have sold over 75 million records worldwide and won five Grammy Awards.
Green day released their debut album, “39/Smooth (1990)”. They achieved mainstream success with their third album, “Dookie (1994). It featured singles like “Basket Case” and “When I Come Around”. They produced several more albums, including “American Idiot (2004)”, “21st Century Breakdown (2009)”, and “Father of All Motherfuckers (2020)”. They featured singles like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, “Know Your Enemy”, and “Oh Yeah!”.
In 2023, they released their fourteenth album, titled Revolution Radio 2, which features singles like “Bang Bang” and “Still Breathing”. The album is a continuation of Armstrong’s exploration of his bisexuality and his political views.
6. The Gossip
The Gossip are a LGBTQ+ indie rock band from Washington. It consists of three members: Beth Ditto, Brace Paine, and Hannah Blilie. The band is known for their dance-punk sound, outspoken lyrics, and charismatic frontwoman.
They released their debut album, “That’s Not What I Heard (2001)”. They gained popularity with their third album, “Standing in the Way of Control (2006)”. It featured the hit single of the same name. They produced two more albums, “Music for Men (2009)” and “A Joyful Noise (2012)”. They featured singles like “Heavy Cross” and “Move in the Right Direction”.
In 2023, their sixth album “Love and Let Love” emerged with singles “Perfect World” and “Get a Job.” The album joyfully celebrates music, their bond, and queer identity.
7. My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is a rock band from Newark, New Jersey. It consists of four members: Gerard Way, Mikey Way, Frank Iero, and Ray Toro. The band is known for their emo style, theatrical concepts, and cult following.
They released their debut album, “I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love”, in 2002. They gained fame with their second album, “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004)”. It featured singles such as “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” and “Helena”. They produced two more albums, “The Black Parade (2006)” and “Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010)”. They featured singles like “Welcome to the Black Parade”, “Sing”, and “Na Na Na”.
In 2023, album five “The Paper Kingdom” arrived with singles “Make Room!!!!” and “The Light Behind Your Eyes.” This release revisits dark roots and mirrors Gerard Way’s bisexuality and gender identity.
8. Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney, LGBTQ+ rock band from Olympia, WA, include Corin Tucker, Carrie Brownstein, and Janet Weiss. Praised for feminist lyrics, activism, and innovation, they’re key in the riot grrrl movement.
Their debut “Sleater-Kinney” came out in 1995. Recognition surged with the third album “Dig Me Out” (1997), featuring hits “One More Hour” and “Turn It On.” Subsequent albums followed: “The Woods” (2005), “No Cities to Love” (2015), and “The Center Won’t Hold” (2019). These showcased tracks “Jumpers,” “A New Wave,” and “Hurry On Home.”
In 2023, they released their eleventh album “Path of Wellness,” showcasing resilience, creativity, and their queer identity. They showcased this through singles like “Worry With You” and “High in the Grass”.
9. Dream Wife
Dream Wife, an indie rock band from London, includes members Rakel Mjöll, Alice Go, and Bella Podpadec (all she/her). The band is known for their catchy melodies, punk attitude, and feminist message.
Meeting at art school, they initially formed as a performance project but discovered a true music passion. Dream Wife released their debut EP, EP01, in 2016, which featured songs like “Hey Heartbreaker” and “F.U.U.”. They followed it up with their debut album, Dream Wife, in 2018, which featured singles like “Somebody” and “Fire”.
In 2020, they released their second album, So When You Gonna…, which featured songs like “Sports!” and “Hasta La Vista”. In 2023, they released their third album, titled Rebel Girl, which features singles like “Kids” and “Bad Bitch”. The album pays homage to influences, inspirations, and their queer identity, solidifying them among numerous LGBTQ+ rock bands.
10. The Regrettes
The Regrettes, a punk rock band from LA, comprises LGBTQ+ members Lydia Night, Genessa Gariano, Brooke Dickson, and Drew Thomsen.
The band is known for their garage rock sound, retro style, and outspoken lyrics. They released their debut album, Feel Your Feelings Fool!, in 2017, which featured singles like “Seashore” and “Hey Now”. In 2019, they released their second album “How Do You Love?” with singles including “I Dare You” and “California Friends.”
In 2023, their third album “Don’t Stop Me Now” debuted, including hits “You’re The One” and “Queen of the Teens.” The album celebrates their music, love, sexuality, and queer identity.
The Bottom Line
These are just some of the LGBTQ+ rock bands that are making a difference in the music scene and in the world. These bands are not only talented musicians, but also role models and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
They show that rock music is not limited by gender or sexuality, but rather enriched by diversity and creativity. They inspire us to be ourselves and to rock on.
I care if people change their gender. I care if their queer. I love MUSIC and my favorite bands which is ever growing.
As y’all lbgt folk INSIST THE WORLD KNOW and embrace YOUR SEX PRACTICES and gender changes with PRIDE, I too will proudly speak my opinion to you. You’ll embrace it as you expect me to embrace your words! My SEX is NOT RELEVANT in public discussions. But for you, I’m hetero. The gender I was born into. Fine with it all. There is no purpose as a musical artist to TELL YOUR FANS ABOUT YOUR personal and sexual freaky shit! We like your music. We love you for rocking our world with it! That’s all we need from you, you good music! What a great feeling being a well loved band! Wtf makes you think your SEX ACTS interest us? It DOESN’T! You DIRTY your image and talent and purpose as artists! I lose respect
INSTANTLY. A couple bands I quit! Your queerness, perversions, alterations and transitions distract my admiration of your talent. You then become “a tranny’s no longer an artist. You people literally sabotage yourselves by desperately forcing personal shit we didn’t want to know down our throats! Don’t you get that? Your trannyness overrides your artistry. So I end up disappointed in the cool band, who’s sex seems more relevant to YOU than music. I am always disappointed when a band has to inform us when they DON’T! I’d rather NOT KNOW. PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT HOW AND WHO YOU FUCK. It has literally NOTHING to do with anyone or anything except your sexual partners. The world does not need or want to know. Be grateful we like your music! Be pervs! Most on earth do not feel the planet must know how and whom they bang! It’s private. Personal. Please stop talking about your perversions. Be a perv! Just do it privately like the rest of the civilized world. It makes me hate your kind. You ruin my musical choices by placing ugly visions in my head! Keep your sex and your career separate. Just a piece of EXCELLENT ADVISE for all y’all perverts. The less we know, the better off we are. Sex is just sex. Stop making it more relevant than it is. Your music should be number one for a talented, successful band. Be grateful and stop pushing the envelope! Like BLM, is actually CAUSING conflict. LGBT are CAUSING disgust and conflict. Screwing anyone and having your bodies massacred by scalpels and pharma is normal. It’s deviant. You’ll gain NOTHING this way. Heteros and traditional people still live on this planet too! Personally your perversions (exactly what they are!) disgust the fuck out of me! Can’t y’all just keep that nasty, dirty stuff to yourselves ? Try. I’m getting fucking pissed off! Leave your weird sex out of music! Don’t dirty EVERY ASPECT of normalcy. Don’t take my lovely music from me with your ugly perv shit. Be a loved and appreciated band or go into pornography and leave the music for those who place music before sex! I wish you would just shut the fuck up and just play! You tranny’s destroy EVERYTHING! PLEASE SHUT UP.
More dudes please.