Despite there being no universal definition of the term, historically "underground music" has been used to describe any type of music that exists outside of the mainstream.

The term has had no specific ties to any genre, and instead has strong roots in artistic expression, and creative control.

This is often done by attracting niche and alternative audiences and straying away from commercial trending themes.

The underground space has been used to serve artists who create outside of the boundaries of popular culture.

In the current era of technological expansion, an underground artist can gain millions of streams in a single night, making "the underground" a term harder to define.

To understand how the underground is changing, I spoke to artists from London, Ireland and Canada who, by traditional terms, would be considered "underground musicians."

Their stories revealed the constantly changing nature of the underground as it becomes a scene increasingly hard to explain.

Thirsk, formerly known as Violet, was officially formed in 2019, with members continuing to join until 2023, until just Oliver Pickard, Hudson Holloway, Stanley Jarvis and Charlie Arnison remained.

The band's name is rooted in nostalgia towards its writer's upbringing.

"Thirsk is where Oli and I grew up. Thirsk Grove. We grew up opposite each other," Holloway said.

Jarvis and Arnison, who play the drums and bass guitar/backing vocals respectively, provide a new perspective to the group when considering the nature of the community that they belong in.

When it comes to their place in the underground community, for Arnison, the answer is a simple choice.

"We slot in really nicely. We don't want to be friendly, we want people to feel it," Arnison said.

Jarvis shares this feeling of belonging, viewing this space as an opportunity to connect with other artists.

"In the underground community, I think we're right in it. We know lots of people. That's what it's all about, the people you know."

Pickard, however, is unsure he resonates with the label at all.

"I don't connect with the underground scene that much," he said. "There are good bands and good stuff being released though."

Despite this, he added how important it is to keep the thrill of performance alive.

"There is a community when you play these shows," he continued. "You meet people in a similar situation and it's quite nice that you can share that."

The meaning of "underground" shifts from band member to band member.

This mimics the difficulty there is within the community to come to a single definition of what the underground actually is.

A timeline of events

"There's not much going for people that don't have mum and dad to pay their rent, or supply equipment, or encourage. All of these different things, " Holloway said.

Beyond creating songs and doing performances, the realities of the independent music industry prove to be costly due to materials, instruments, promotion and basic necessities.

Thirsk share an understanding that there are many obstacles to face as independent artists in the journey to making a path for themselves in this sphere.

It is difficult to assign meaning to something that is hard to fully relate towards, even for members of the traditional community itself.

One thing that became clear to me was that no two artists viewed the underground the same way.

CARSTEN2X

Irish-born, London-based musician Carsten Gribben, 26, who performs as Carsten2x, echoed this uncertainty.

Having released music since 2020, and experienced both the underground scene and commercial backing by the music industry, his meaning of the "underground" has changed over time.

Gribben moved to London one year ago, and believes that the underground music scene has evolved into outwards appearance of its own.

Gribben said: " (Back in the day) It had nothing to do with what specific type of sound you made. It was just the manner in which you made it."

"I think now the "underground" is just what people call that whole genre. It's a sound rather than a way of being an artist."

Despite being doubtful of the term itself, Gribben is pleased that the community has grown and become closer with one another.

"The underground community now and the punk rock fans back in the day - they're the same type of kids. They're just looking for something to feel a part of," Gribben said.

Noting the prominent trending fashion styles in the underground community and the growing social media exposure of its artists and consumers, the community is known as "tight-knit, " according to Gribben.

"All of my best friends are people I've met through making music. That's probably the best part of all of this."

Reflecting on his personal experience in Ireland, Gribben notes how there has been a drastic increase in the number of emerging artists from the country, and how this can be reflected in the steady increase in London's underground music scene.

"We would have these house shows and I'd look around and think... 'I don't know any of the people in my kitchen right now.' "

"Everyone felt like they could just be themselves, and let their freak flags fly," Pasula said.

Pasula described the environment as inclusive, working on an open-house policy rooted in respect and variation. However, the different scenes within the genres were often kept separate.

"We were just a weirdo band, more punk and DIY, so we kind of just created our own scene."

For Pasula, a sense of community defines the underground more than a genre or aesthetic ever could.

Rather than relying on belonging to a certain type of sound, to some, the underground was purely a means of creative freedom and bonding.

The Windmill, Brixton Performance: June 11th 2026

Through Pasula's eyes, Vancouver showed the importance of community within the independent scene.

Oftentimes, while the definition of "underground" can be blurred, the feeling the music provided remained the source of spark that initiated connection.

Back home in London, at The Windmill in Brixton, that same light was found.

The Windmill is a pillar of London's independent music community, with many emerging and returning artists championing an era of unconventional and eclectic sounds during their time there.

The performance became a turning point for the band as they debuted as Thirsk live in front of a listening crowd.

The need for definitions faded for an hour, and the only task at hand was creating an environment in which music could be felt in every corner of the room.

The atmosphere lent itself to the intimacy of live music when shared with others.

Other artists, along with their family and peers gathered together in a joint act of rebellion.

The answer to a difficult question

Jarvis felt like the performance was a step in the right direction for the band.

"I think it went really well, there was a lot of energy," he said. " I think what's to come is more gigs, and more music, and more sweat, and more blood, and more tears."

For the band, future ambitions are rooted around maintaining their love for the music.

"To tour would be really cool," Pickard said. "I've had to let go of a lot of ideals about what I want to happen, but I still love playing regardless."

For Holloway, success goes beyond mainstream recognition.

"I would be happy as long as I have a roof over my head and I can eat," he said. "As long as I can play music and be okay, I would be happy."

Arnison said: "We're just enjoying it."

While the underground no longer conforms to a single definition, sound or aesthetic, one thing that remains constant through it all. The fact that music is bringing people together, even if it is just for one hour at an unknown venue.

For many artists like Thirsk, Carsten, and Renée - that is enough.