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

Speed – Speedyutori

yutori “Speed” Official Music Video (TV Anime ‘My Hero Academia: Vigilantes’ Ending Theme)

Riding the momentum of their major-label debut song “Speed,” featured in the TV anime Vigilante: My Hero Academia ILLEGALS, yutori is sure to inspire many bands who’ll want to cover their exhilarating, fast-paced sound.

Kotoko Sato’s vocals are marked by soaring high notes and a rapid-fire delivery, with the entry from the hush before the final chorus being a real highlight.

For guitar, a backing centered on power chords with sharp, percussive cutting for accents will amplify the song’s drive.

As Taichi Toyoda notes, the bass unleashes wild phrases in the last chorus—nail that section and it becomes a major showcase.

Ren Urayama’s drumming anchors the band with a steady 8-beat; make sure the breaks and hits lock in tightly.

Overall, the song calls for intermediate-level technique, but simplifying the arrangement at first to focus on the band’s ensemble is also a great way for everyone to level up.

mild daysHitsuji Bungaku

Hitsujibungaku – mild days (Official Music Video) [TV Anime “Silent Witch: The Magical Record of a Silenced Wizard” Ending Theme Song]

Sheep Literature’s “mild days” is a truly lovely song with a warm, gentle atmosphere.

When covering it, you’ll want to focus on preserving the trio’s hallmark—simple yet delicate ensemble playing.

If you’re performing as the singer-guitarist, the key is how you convey both acoustic and electric guitar tones.

If you have two guitars available, try having the vocalist play acoustic while the guitarist handles the other lines.

The slightly bouncy overall rhythm can be challenging for beginners, but the drums and bass should practice aiming for a groove that isn’t a straight 8-beat.

For vocals, channel Moeka Shiozuka’s approach: a whispery yet steady voice that conveys the warmth of the lyrics, which will help draw listeners deeper into the song’s world.

Lightmakerbokula.

bokula. – Light Maker (Lyric Video)

Bokula.’s exhilarating “Light Maker” is a great choice to cover as a band.

The guitar-vocalist needs to balance singing and playing, the lead guitar should deliver sharp cutting, the bass should keep a steady rhythm on the root notes, and the drummer’s endurance with fast beats will be the key to the ensemble.

Since the drums lead the whole group in particular, it’s best to start practicing at a slower tempo and gradually build up to the original song’s intensity.

Give it a try!

wavy or curly hairSaucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Kusege” Music Video (Theme song for the ABC TV/TV Asahi drama “My Diary”)

Saucy Dog’s “Kusege,” which has also drawn attention as a TV drama theme song, captivates many with its heart-touching melody.

The guitar mainly provides chord backing, but be mindful not to strum aimlessly—listen to the other instruments and aim to play as part of the ensemble.

The bass should center on solid root notes as the foundation, while delivering the melodic phrases in the interlude with a sense of songfulness.

The drums support the track with a steady 8-beat, and by emphasizing the contrast between the delicacy of the verse and the power of the chorus, the atmosphere deepens significantly.

I hope each player strives to perform in a way that closely supports the melody.

Rolling DaysWANIMA

WANIMA「Rolling Days」OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

While WANIMA may be strongly associated with a high-speed, punkish image, the 2024 release “Rolling Days” showcases a new side of the band, unleashing intense energy with a buoyant groove throughout.

The BPM itself isn’t all that fast, but the crisp guitar comping and the rhythm section driving bouncy phrases at this tempo can be quite challenging for beginners.

That said, it’s perfect for taking the next step beyond a straightforward 8-beat.

There’s also a guitar part that plays arpeggios midway, making it both a sure-fire crowd-pleaser on stage and great practice material for the band.

Definitely give this song a try.

See with inner double eyelidsHaku.

Haku. “Seeing with Inner Double Eyelids” Official Music Video

Although many songs by Haku—a four-piece who debuted in their teens and are now in their early twenties—feature unconventional arrangements, the track “Oku-butae de Miru,” released in January 2025, is especially instructive for beginner guitarists.

Its intertwined two-guitar phrases and arrangements don’t rely on sheer loudness, and it’s a great opportunity to try tone-making that goes beyond simply adding distortion.

With a busily moving bass and drums that are simple yet intricate, enjoy practicing the band’s ensemble craft that fills the spaces so exquisitely!

I want to love you super muchneguse.

Neguse. “Super Aishitai” Official Music Video

In June 2024, a solo show at the Nippon Budokan was announced for Neguse, a rock band from Nagoya that has grown into a popular act in just four years since forming.

Their breakthrough came with the 2021 mini-album “Space Shuttle de Kimi no Ie made,” which includes “Super Aishitai,” a track that gained buzz among young listeners through TikTok and other platforms at the time.

With an upbeat pop-rock vibe, it’s a killer tune that’ll get bodies moving even if the audience doesn’t know the song—perfect for culture festival performances, too! For beginners, the likely stumbling blocks are the bouncy rhythm and the lead guitar phrases that add color throughout the track.

The lead guitar part is structured almost like one continuous solo across the whole song, so it’s a great challenge for players looking to move beyond the beginner stage.

The rhythm section should focus on delivering a tight, lively groove, and make sure to listen closely to each instrument’s phrases and melodies while you play!

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