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

I’m new to playing in a band, but I want to practice hard and get on stage…

I want to quickly cover up-and-coming young bands and show off their songs…

There are surely many people—especially teens—who feel this way.There aren’t that many songs arranged with power chords on guitar, root notes on bass, and simple 8-beat drums, but in this article we’ve picked out relatively easy-to-play tracks, including some timeless classics.If there’s any part of the songs we’re about to introduce that you just can’t manage, ask a band-savvy friend to help you arrange it into something simpler, or check out YouTube videos that share beginner-friendly arrangements.

[2026] For Band Beginners! Recommended Songs by Popular Bands That Hype Up Live Shows (21–30)

asking for the moonKANA-BOON

KANA-BOON “Naimono Nedari” Music Video
asking for the moonKANA-BOON

It’s a crisp, catchy track that makes you want to say, “This is four-on-the-floor dance rock!” It’s one of rock band KANA-BOON’s signature songs, released in 2015 as their sixth single.

Since it was featured in a Shiseido commercial, many of you have probably heard it.

The lyrics portray a wavering love story with high relatability.

The energetic arrangement—especially the call-and-response guitars panned left and right that stick in your ears—really ramps up the excitement.

The guitar part on the left channel is relatively simple, so if you can play that, even though it’s a four-piece band’s song, you can easily cover it with a three-piece lineup.

Live ForeverOasis

Oasis – Live Forever (Official HD Remastered Video)
Live ForeverOasis

How about trying a globally popular Western band’s song? Oasis, the British rock band whose 2024 reunion made worldwide headlines including in Japan, released “Live Forever” as a single in 1994.

Its message—“Even if you feel uncertain about the future, keep on living”—resonated with many young people at the time.

Many Oasis songs, including this one, are relatively easy to cover, so this could be a good opportunity to explore more of their music.

jerseySabasusutā

Sabasister – Jersey Music Video
jerseySabasusutā

Formed in 2022, Sabasister is undeniably one of the most exciting all-female rock trios right now.

Signed to the prestigious label PIZZA OF DEATH, they achieved major success in under two years, with their milestone debut album “Kakugo wo Kimero!” released in March 2024.

With their popularity, there are surely many people who want to cover Sabasister’s songs at school festivals and the like.

Their setlists are packed with killer tunes that fire up live crowds, but my recommendation this time is “Jersey.” Its instantly memorable, catchy melody and down-to-earth lyrics are sure to resonate with young listeners, and the straightforward band arrangement should be easy to cover if you’ve got the basics down.

One note of caution: while they’re a trio, the arrangement assumes two guitars, and the lead guitar melodies played under the vocals are key.

So if possible, it’s best to perform with four members, including a bassist.

SolaninASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

With a career spanning over 20 years, Asian Kung-Fu Generation—known as Ajikan—continues to thrive at the forefront of Japan’s rock scene.

In recent years, their influence has extended far beyond music into subculture at large, even being paid homage to in the popular manga Bocchi the Rock!.

In the Reiwa era, there are young fans who discovered or became interested in Ajikan through Bocchi the Rock!, so let’s spotlight Soranin as a song we’d love to see covered.

It was the theme song for the film of the same name, with lyrics penned by manga artist Inio Asano, and it remains a beloved track.

The lead guitar, centered on octave techniques, is relatively approachable for beginners while still delivering memorable lines—so it’s worth nailing it properly.

For the rhythm section, you’ll likely find the tempo feels faster when you actually play it than it sounds by ear, so it’s a good idea to start practicing at a slower tempo.

There are also a few aggressively moving phrases within otherwise simple root playing, making it an excellent piece for bassists to grow with as well!

HONEY (ARE U COMING?)Måneskin

Måneskin – HONEY (ARE U COMING?) (Official Video)
HONEY (ARE U COMING?)Måneskin

Among today’s Western artists, Måneskin from Italy stand out as incredibly cool and globally renowned.

Since the band members themselves love Japanese culture like anime, they’re hugely popular in Japan across generations.

Their glamorous guitar rock is made for the stage, and if you’re thinking, “I want to cover a cool Western song for the school festival, but the usual bands feel boring,” this is a perfect recommendation.

Their 2023 hit ‘HONEY (ARE U COMING?)’ is an aggressive, badass track that can knock out the crowd even if they don’t know the song, and it’s a killer tune beginners can tackle since it’s fully reproducible with basic techniques.

It’s the kind of song that tests how tightly you can lock in as a band ensemble, so make sure to listen closely to each instrument’s phrases as you play.

In fact, the hardest part of this song is probably the vocals: Damiano David’s outstanding singing, with its slightly sexy melodies delivered in Italian-accented English, makes individual practice essential.

Distortion!!kessoku bando

TV anime “Bocchi the Rock!” ending video / “Distortion!!” #KessokuBand
Distortion!!kessoku bando

Kessoku Band is the rock band that appears in the TV anime Bocchi the Rock!.

Distortion!!, used as the ending theme for episodes 1 through 3 of the anime, is a refreshing rock tune included on their first album, “Kessoku Band.” Each part is simple in terms of technique, so it’s easy to learn, but unless you focus on tight playing you won’t capture the original vibe—so make sure everyone keeps that in mind during band practice.

As a song from a popular anime, it’s guaranteed to hype up live shows, making it a perfect number for beginner band members.

You don’t get it.WurtS

WurtS – You Don't Get It (Music Video)
You don't get it.WurtS

WurtS is a singer-songwriter who also thrives as a screenwriter and film director, self-producing not only his music but also the artwork and visuals.

The digital single “Wakattenai yo,” released ahead of his 2nd digital EP MAGICAL SOUP, leaves a strong impression with its opening that kicks off with a hysteric guitar sound.

The performance is simple overall, but it has a sense of drive, and the drums introduce an off-beat pattern in the chorus, so be careful not to let the rhythm slip.

It’s not technically difficult, making it an easy number to add on the fly when you suddenly want to play one more track.