[2026] For Band Beginners! Recommended Songs from Popular Bands That Get the Crowd Going at Live Shows

Dried flowersYuuri

Yuri “Dry Flower” Official Music Video - Director’s Cut ver. -

With its distinctive vocals and catchy phrases, Dry Flower has become a massive hit.

Released in 2020 by singer-songwriter Yuuri, it’s the song that sparked his big breakthrough.

Its just-right tempo and simple band arrangement make it especially recommended for beginner bands.

The chords used are easy too, so it’s great practice even for those who just started playing guitar! It’s also perfect for collaborating with a friend who’s good at playing and singing.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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It’s My LifeBon Jovi

Bon Jovi – It’s My Life (Official Music Video)

Famous as the theme song of Nakayama Kinnikun and still beloved across generations even in the Reiwa era, Bon Jovi’s classic anthem “It’s My Life”! It hardly needs introduction—it helped kick off Bon Jovi’s new golden era in the 2000s, and more than 20 years after its release, the crowd still goes wild the moment that intro hits.

The guitar is mostly power-chord backing, and the rhythm section lays down a simple, tight 8-beat, so it’s not that hard yet looks and sounds cool—an ideal song for beginners.

The guitar solo doesn’t try to show off advanced technique either, making it perfect practice material for novices.

You can pull it off even without a keyboardist, but ideally, try covering it with a band that has one!

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KOH-1

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American IdiotGreen Day

Green Day – American Idiot [Official Music Video] [4K Upgrade]

Green Day, the three-piece rock band that became the first punk rock band to win the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

The title track of their seventh album, “American Idiot,” was also released as a single on September 14, 2004.

With its recurring guitar riff and catchy, pop-tinged melody, it’s a song that always gets live crowds fired up.

However, be careful: if the performance isn’t tight, the song’s vibe won’t come through.

While there aren’t any particularly difficult technical passages, the song’s driving feel and fully English lyrics make it a rock tune that will surely earn you respect if you can perform it all the way through.

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Hoshino Takashi

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CHAINSAW BLOODVaundy

CHAINSAW BLOOD / Vaundy：MUSIC VIDEO

Singer-songwriter Vaundy not only produces music but also handles artwork and video production.

His 17th digital-only single, “CHAINSAW BLOOD,” used as the ending theme for episode 1 of the TV anime Chainsaw Man, opens with a dark guitar riff that dovetails with the story of the anime.

The performance is simple, but since many sections—like the A melody—hold the same pitch for extended stretches, be mindful of dynamics so the song doesn’t feel flat overall.

As a song from a popular anime, it’s a modern rock tune that’s sure to fire up live audiences.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Is that okay?RADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Is That Alright? 2017 ver. [Official Music Video]

RADWIMPS became widely known across all generations, sparked in part by the film Your Name.

Among their songs, the one I especially recommend for beginners is “Iindesuka?” The tempo is just right, and nothing across the parts is particularly demanding technically.

The most challenging aspect is the vocal rhythm, so when you practice singing, use a metronome.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Ordinary people in love don’t danceThis is LAST

This is the LAST “Renai Bonjin wa Odoranai” music video.

This is LAST is a three-piece rock band whose name reflects their resolve: “Let this be the final band we bet our everything and our musical lives on.” Their digital-only single, “Renai Bonjin wa Odoranai,” released on July 26, 2023, makes a striking impact with the contrast between its refreshing melody and provocative lyrics.

The drums feature many off-beat accents, so beginner drummers will need practice, but once you get used to it, it should be a lot of fun to play! Overall, the performance is straightforward, so be sure to practice thoroughly so the band can lock in together.

With catchy guitar riffs and other satisfying lines to play, it’s a exhilarating rock tune that’s sure to resonate with the audience.

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Hoshino Takashi

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summer festivalWhiteberry

Summer Festival – Whiteberry (Full)

A classic song for girl bands, Whiteberry’s “Natsu Matsuri.” It’s a tune almost everyone has heard at least once, so it’s sure to get the crowd going at a live show.

The guitar and bass parts aren’t too difficult, but be careful with the off-beat rhythm as you play.

If it’s tough, try using ghost picking or the bridge to keep the off-beat accents.

Overall, it’s a relatively easy song, so enjoy performing it with your bandmates.

If you’re playing this song live in the summer, we recommend wearing yukata for the performance.

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zunx2P

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