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

STARSw.o.d.

w.o.d. – STARS [LIVE VIDEO] Opening Theme of the TV Anime 'BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Separation'

w.o.d.

stands apart from today’s so-called J-rock scene as a solitary presence: a trio that blasts raw rock—garage, grunge, and alternative—at full volume.

The fact that they continue to release their work on cassette tapes even in 2024 speaks to their singular aesthetic.

For anyone looking to cover a w.o.d.

track, we recommend STARS.

It’s widely known thanks to being selected as the theme song for the TV anime BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Separation.

If you cover its trio-specific ensemble and dynamic sound at your school festival, you’re sure to shock classmates who are used to easy-listening J-pop.

Singing while playing the main riff that kicks in from the intro may be tough for beginners, but once you get over that hurdle, you’ll level up as a singing guitarist.

The drums make heavy use of intense drum rolls, so practice repeatedly with a metronome to keep your rhythm steady!

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far awayASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION 'Haruka Kanata'

Asian Kung-Fu Generation is a rock band that has been at the forefront of the scene from the 2000s through the 2020s, and their songs are so popular they always rank near the top when people vote on tracks they want to cover as a band.

Since it’s beginner-friendly yet guaranteed to get the crowd going, this time let’s look at Haruka Kanata.

Although it has a driving feel, the tempo isn’t excessively fast, and there aren’t any phrases that demand advanced technique, so it should be very manageable.

One thing to watch out for: the choppy guitar in the first verse (A-melo), the switch to a swung feel in the pre-chorus (B-melo), and the shift to a 6/8 rhythm from the interlude into the bridge (C-melo).

These patterns can be a bit tough—especially for drummers.

Before trying to play the whole song straight through, we recommend focusing first on the rhythms you find most challenging.

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LOVE ROCKETSThe Birthday

The Birthday – LOVE ROCKETS [MV] (Opening theme song of the film “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK”)

This song kicks off with a spine-tingling bass solo.

The Birthday’s “LOVE ROCKETS,” included on their 2023 EP “Tsukiyo no Zankyo ep.,” became a hit after being selected as the opening theme for the film “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK.” The raw rock ’n’ roll sound pairs perfectly with Yusuke Chiba’s gritty, growling vocals—it’s seriously cool.

Because the performance is unadorned, without flashy or difficult phrases, it captures this vibe so well.

If you want to take on a badass tune, give it a try!

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Araki Jakkan

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Trash human, me.yangusukinii

Young Skinny – Trash Human, Me (Live at LIQUIDROOM 2023.04.27)

Young Skinny, also known as “Yanski,” are all 2000s-born and have now become a nationally popular young rock band representing Gen Z.

Their candid lyrics that say the hard-to-say, memorable melodies, and precise band ensemble surely make many teens want to cover their songs.

The track we’re introducing this time, “Gomi Ningen, Ore” (“Trash Human, Me”), is quintessentially them: it portrays a protagonist whose unabashed attitude feels refreshing, not in an exhibitionist way but with a decidedly sentimental touch.

Each instrument can be handled if you’ve got the basics down, but watch out for the tasteful arrangements sprinkled throughout—for example, the bass playing a melodic line up in the high positions.

Overall, be mindful of creating clear contrasts between the verse (A-melo), pre-chorus (B-melo), and chorus sections.

While a keyboardist joins them live, the song can be fully reproduced with guitar, bass, and drums, so definitely give it a try.

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The Zero Sense10-FEET

10-FEET – The Zero Sense (Ending Theme Song of the Film 'THE FIRST SLAM DUNK')

10-FEET is a three-piece rock band that energizes the Kansai rock scene as the organizers of Kyoto’s flagship large-scale festival, “Kyoto Daisakusen.” Their 22nd single, Distributed as a digital release, “Dai Zero Kan” was selected as the ending theme song for the film “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK.” While each part is technically simple, the band’s ensemble has a major impact—especially the tight unison phrases in the A section—so it’s important to be mindful of this from the practice stage.

Also, if you perform with the same setup as the original, the vocals are handled while playing an instrument, so be careful not to focus too much on one or the other.

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Hoshino Takashi

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JitterbugELLEGARDEN

Jitterbug [MUSIC VIDEO Live ver]

This work is striking for its intense rock sound and lyrics that capture Takeshi Hosomi’s feelings as he earnestly grapples with the Japanese language.

Released in November 2003, it was an ambitious release that became the first indie record to reach No.

1.

It was also selected as the ending theme for TBS’s CDTV, cementing the band’s popularity.

With a simple structure and guitar parts centered on power chords, it’s an easy song for beginner bands to tackle.

It’s guaranteed to hype up a live crowd, so it’s a great choice to perform on stage at a school or cultural festival.

1106WANIMA

WANIMA-1106 (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

From the 2010s to the present, WANIMA has been loved across generations as a nationally renowned band, even appearing on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

In 2023, they ended their long-standing contract with PIZZA OF DEATH MANAGEMENT, established their own company, and embarked on a new chapter.

Their songs are already staples for school festival cover bands, and the track “1106” introduced here is a popular choice recommended for beginners.

It’s one of their earliest songs, included on their indie-era mini-album “Can Not Behaved!!,” and it’s a live staple and classic.

Within the driving pop-punk sound, the melancholic melody and subtly nostalgic lyrics are quintessentially WANIMA.

However, the most demanding part to cover is the drums, which must maintain a fast tempo.

It’s not just mindlessly pounding out an 8-beat; the arrangement subtly shifts its feel depending on the section, which can easily trip you up.

Start by slowing down the tempo and gradually speeding it up through repeated practice, letting your whole body get used to it!

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