Y
1986

1986 in British Music

The Smiths at their peak, house music stirs, and indie comes of age.

Key Events

  • The Smiths release The Queen Is Dead — a landmark of British guitar music
  • House music begins crossing from Chicago to British clubs and warehouses
  • The Housemartins and The Beautiful South emerge from Hull

Dominant Genres

IndiePopSynthpopHouse

Notable Trends

  • The Indie Chart (now Official Independent Chart) launches
  • Acid house's earliest British stirrings in London and Manchester clubs
  • C86 cassette from NME defines a jangly, DIY indie sound

Key Artists of 1986

198519861987