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

Marriage Fighting-Spirit March “Best Buddies”Kishidan

Kishidan – Marriage Fighting Spirit March “Best Buddy”

Kishidan is a six-member rock band that has hosted outdoor rock festivals since 2003 and often makes waves with collaborations with numerous musicians.

Their sixth single, “Kekkon Tōkon Kōshinkyoku ‘Mabudachi’” (“Wedding Fighting Spirit March ‘Best Friends’”), is, as the title suggests, a wedding song that evokes a sense of friendship.

There are no difficult techniques, but be careful: if you don’t pay attention not only to the performance but also to the bouncy feel of the shuffle beat, the ensemble can fall apart.

It’s a comedic yet heartwarming pop tune that will liven up a friend’s wedding as a performance piece.

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Hoshino Takashi

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LuckySUPERCAR

SUPERCAR / Lucky (Official Music Video)

Hailing from Aomori, SUPERCAR burst onto the scene in 1997 while still in their teens and early twenties, shocking listeners with a sound that distilled the contemporaneous Western music of the time.

As their career progressed, they took a distinctive turn toward electronica, and their influence on subsequent Japanese rock has been immense—so much so that today, in the Reiwa era, they’re spoken of as a legendary band.

In their early days, their sound bore strong influences from alternative rock, UK rock, and shoegaze, and they have many songs that are easy for beginner bands to cover.

Among them, Lucky is especially recommended.

Since both the bass-vocal and guitar-vocal parts involve playing while singing, there aren’t any particularly difficult phrases, and if any role carries the most weight in the ensemble, it’s the lead guitar.

The arrangement—very UK-rock-like—has the lead playing a sort of countermelody throughout the entire track, making it an excellent practice piece for beginner guitarists.

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KOH-1

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Rose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTS

[Official] THE BLUE HEARTS 'Rose of Passion' [6th Single (1990/7/25)] THE BLUE HEARTS / Jyounetsu no Bara

THE BLUE HEARTS is a legendary rock band that set middle and high schoolers across Japan ablaze around 1990, bringing punk rock to wider recognition in the J-POP scene.

Their sixth single, “Jounetsu no Bara,” used as the theme song for the TV drama High School Graffiti 2, has been loved for many years—as evidenced by the numerous cover versions out there.

It’s a song that comes together best when you prioritize raw energy over technical finesse, and because the vocals leave such a strong impression, focusing on that aspect can be especially fun when doing a cover.

With a universal rock ensemble and exhilarating speed, it’s a rock tune that always gets the crowd going live.

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Hoshino Takashi

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AgainWANIMA

WANIMA “Again” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

WANIMA is a band you can’t leave out when talking about today’s Japanese rock scene! They play at tons of festivals across the country, and a live cover would definitely get the crowd going! I’m sure many beginner bands are thinking, “We want to play their songs…!!” but a lot of their tracks are quite difficult.

On top of the high-speed 2-beat that’s characteristic of melodic hardcore, locking in the sharply contrasting accents can be a bit tough for beginners.

However, this song is relatively simple compared to their other tracks, and it doesn’t even use the 2-beat, so it’s a great pick! Just make sure you can play the guitar solo properly!

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Hane Keisuke

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stray apart; get separatedkaraage bentou

stray apart; get separated

Karaage Bento is a three-piece rock band from Osaka that plays heartwarming, uplifting Japanese youth punk.

Their digitally released track “Hagure Bagure” sticks in your head with its poppy melody over a light, shuffling beat.

Since the song falls apart unless the drums are played with a bouncy feel, we recommend practicing from a tempo where your beat stays steady.

The guitar and bass often lock in with the kick drum, so be sure to listen closely to the band’s overall ensemble as you play.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Graduationgagaga supi

Gagaga SP "Graduation"

Gagaga SP’s “Sotsugyo” is a fast, punk-rock-style track with a strong sense of drive.

Despite the quick tempo, the parts are mostly simple, making it easy for beginners to play.

The guitar is basically all power chords, so focus on keeping steady time and play with power.

In punk rock, it’s no exaggeration to say that energy and intensity are what matter most.

The chorus is especially memorable, so have everyone sing it together to bring out that bittersweet vibe.

It’s a perfect song for anyone who wants to put on a bold, fiery live show in true punk-rock fashion.

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zunx2P

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bouquetjisoku 36 km

36 km/h / Bouquet [Music Video]

The four-piece band Jisoku 36km has been gaining popularity for their powerful yet delicate rock sound and lyrics that depict the beauty and pain found in everyday life.

This track, included on their first album Standing in the Radiance, features emotional vocals riding a slow shuffle beat that really hit you in the chest.

There aren’t many notes overall and no difficult techniques appear, but it’s crucial to lock into the bouncy feel of the shuffle rhythm.

With its simple arrangement that makes it easy to channel emotion and momentum, it’s a rock tune that beginners can take on with confidence.

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Hoshino Takashi

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