Films and TV shows that embrace music often deliver some of their most memorable moments through the fictional bands and artists within their worlds. Much like real-life musicians, these fictional acts offer catchy songs, bold personas, and a stage presence that are too good to be confined to the fictional worlds they come from.
Some of these acts have even reached real-world music charts, showing that their appeal goes beyond the screen. Watching them becomes even more exciting when you can also enjoy their songs in real life.
From animated groups to parody acts and fictional pop stars, the artists on our list celebrate the power of music — even when it comes from characters that only exist on screen. From HUNTR/X, the part-time pop stars and demon slayers, to the Fleetwood Mac-inspired Daisy Jones & The Six, Billboard Philippines curates a list of ten fictional bands and artists we definitely would love to see perform live.
HUNTR/X — KPop Demon Hunters
Pop stars by day, demon-hunting protectors by night, HUNTR/X continue to rule the charts and the hearts of K-pop fans and non-K-pop fans alike. The powerful trio, both literally and on stage, work together to save the world while also dropping major slayage vibes with their hits. We hear nothing but instant repeats and last song syndrome with their tracks “Golden,” “How It’s Done,” “What It Sounds Like,” and “Takedown.”
Imagine Rumi, Mira, and Zoey on a global world tour right now with all the fan merch such as shirts, photo cards, vinyl records and CDs we can get our hands on. They might even be open to collaborating with P-pop’s very own G22. The Female Alphas of P-pop are often likened to HUNTR/X as another empowering pop trio worth stanning.
Daisy Jones & The Six — Daisy Jones & The Six
Taking us back to the ’70s with raw rock energy and all the makings of a Fleetwood Mac from a parallel universe. Loosely inspired by Fleetwood Mac during the making of their iconic 1977 album Rumours — complete with behind-the-scenes tension and emotional fallout — Daisy Jones & The Six feel like a band made for the big stage.
It would be incredible to see them perform “Let Me Down Easy,” “Look At Us Now,” and “The River” as they electrify headlining sets at Glastonbury or even Coachella. Their music is tailor-made for open-air festivals, perfect for vibing and jamming under the sun. Hopefully the planned live concert featuring the cast of the 2023 miniseries still comes to fruition, after being postponed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Ashley O — Black Mirror: Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too
The third episode of Black Mirror season five, “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too,” features Miley Cyrus channeling her pop star roots in the Netflix science fiction anthology series. Cyrus is no stranger to transforming into another pop star, especially after Hannah Montana. But Ashley O (or Ashley Ortiz) is something else entirely.
Ashley O’s “On a Roll” is a cleverly disguised commentary that borrows from Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like a Hole,” and reimagined as an upbeat, glittery anthem. Taking cues from current pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo, there’s no doubt Ashley O would be a mainstay on the airwaves with one viral hit to another.
Conner4Real — Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Andy Samberg may be best known for his comedic brilliance with his work on Saturday Night Live and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but his work in the comedic trio The Lonely Island shouldn’t go unnoticed, especially in the criminally underrated satirical music biopic: 2016’s Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.
Samberg portrays Conner “Kid Conner” Friel, a former member of the fictional boy band Style Boyz who rebrands himself as Conner4Real, fully embodying the over-the-top, larger-than-life pop star persona. From the Pride Month pseudo-anthem “Equal Rights” featuring P!nk, to the ego-filled banger “I’m So Humble” with Adam Levine, the dance anthem “Turn Up the Beef” featuring Emma Stone, and the wildly surreal “Incredible Thoughts” with Michael Bolton and Justin Timberlake (as Mr. Fish).
His second studio album, Connquest, may have been a commercial and critical failure, seeing Conner4Real live would be one hell of a ride.
Löded Diper — Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Löded Diper is ready to bring all the loud, messy energy tailor-made for memes and today’s internet culture. With the first two live-action Diary of a Wimpy Kid films gaining cult classic status, the band embraces their identity of not taking itself too seriously. It’s all about the vibes and rocking out to the chaos of seeing Devon Bostick in punk makeup as Rodrick Heffley, the drummer of the band. Honestly, we’re all here for it.
Skye Riley — Smile 2
Global pop sensation Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott in Smile 2, is a pop star tragically entangled in terror. Still, songs like “Grieved You,” “Death of Me,” and “Blood on White Satin” are made for a live performance that could bring the film’s cinematic experience to the stage. Beyond the music, Skye’s shows are imagined with eerie lighting, haunting visuals, and raw, emotionally charged vocals.
Leaving out the film’s disturbing and horrifying events, seeing her perform live could still deliver the kind of emotionally immersive and visually striking concert experience that artists like Billie Eilish, Halsey, or even FKA Twigs are known for.
4*Town — Turning Red
4*Town, from Disney-Pixar’s Turning Red, is a nostalgic nod to the golden era of early-2000s pop and the boyband craze of the time. With harmonies reminiscent of NSYNC and Backstreet Boys, paired with tongue-in-cheek self-awareness, now we can understand Miriam, Priya, and Abby’s obsession.
Beyond being just a parody or nostalgic throwback, 4*Town actually performed in real life when, in 2023, Will Jay and Raymond Ortiz joined voice actors Josh Levi, Topher Ngo, and Grayson Villanueva (minus Jordan Fisher and Finneas O’Connell) to perform “1 True Love” and “Nobody Like U” live at the 20th Unforgettable Gala, an annual Asian American awards show.
Sing Street — Sing Street
Sing Street, the band from the film Sing Street, brings together a group of misfits who embody teenage rebellion in 1980s Dublin. As they try to escape the harsh realities of their world through music, their DIY sound, blended with passion and grit.
Taking cues from Duran Duran, A-ha, and The Cure, 80’s new wave is in full gear with Sing Street’s sound and direction. Songs like “Drive It Like You Stole It” and “The Riddle of the Model” are bangers. Even seeing them busk on the streets or perform at school events would be enough to captivate an audience that simply loves the energy of live music, letting the songs speak for themselves.
August Moon — The Idea of You
What some may see as heavily inspired by One Direction, August Moon, featured in The Idea of You — both the novel and the film of the same name — feels like another poster-boy boyband. Let’s not let our guard down just yet. The overall idea of the boyband within the context of the story is all about tapping into relatable feelings of love, youth, that are instant capture listeners without feeling too knee deep into the lyrics.
The group is perfect for intimate settings, like morning talk shows or pop-up performances, yet they also have the ability to draw large crowds to bigger stages, all while capturing the charm of the boybands that came before them.
Ally — A Star Is Born
“Tell me something, girl. Are you happy in this modern world?” The 2018 version of A Star Is Born pairs Lady Gaga with Bradley Cooper in a romantic drama that showcases the GRAMMY-winning pop star’s powerful vocals and reveals her acting prowess as well, earning her a nomination for Best Actress at the 91st Academy Awards.
Although she has performed “Shallow” and “Always Remember Us This Way” live, it’s hard not to wish for a full A Star Is Born-themed set with her fully embodying Ally once again. While she didn’t need to dramatically change her singing style for the role, an album or any creative project as Ally could further showcase her versatility as an artist.