[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.
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[2026] For Band Beginners! Recommended Songs from Popular Bands That Hype Up Live Shows (41–50)
Youth Group Filled with DesireONE OK ROCK
ONE OK ROCK is a four-piece rock band that has earned high acclaim both in Japan and abroad, now standing as artists Japan proudly presents to the world.
“Yokubō ni Michita Seinen-dan,” included on their major-label debut album Zeitakubyō, features lyrics that stir the heart with a sense of strength in the face of adversity.
While it doesn’t rely on difficult techniques and keeps a relaxed tempo, the arrangement makes every part stand out, so be sure to practice thoroughly before band rehearsals.
Also, the bouncy feel of the shuffle beat can easily become uneven if you’re used to simple 8-beat songs, so during band practice, try playing while actively listening to the other parts.
[2026] For Band Beginners! Recommended Songs by Popular Bands That Hype Up Live Shows (51–60)
to youMONGOL800
MONGOL800 is a two-piece rock band that ignited a youth-punk boom in the 2000s while steadfastly basing their activities in their hometown of Okinawa.
Their song “Anata ni,” which has been covered by numerous artists, is known as one of MONGOL800’s signature tracks alongside “Chiisana Koi no Uta.” While it doesn’t require difficult techniques, the overall fast tempo makes it challenging to play together as a band, so beginner musicians should practice with determination.
If you have the capacity, try taking on the chorus work in the hook, which is a highlight.
It’s a rock tune that almost everyone has likely heard at least once.
Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS
A legendary punk band song by THE BLUE HEARTS that captivated junior and senior high school students across Japan from the late 1980s to the early 1990s.
The tempo is fast, but none of the parts have difficult phrases, so focusing on energy rather than technique will bring you closer to the feel of the original.
The guitar mainly uses strummed abbreviated chords, so it isn’t hard, but there are occasional obbligato lines—play calmly so the rhythm doesn’t waver.
The bass is mostly root notes and is easy, but because the tempo is fast, keeping each note even will help stabilize the whole track.
The drums can be played with a simple 8-beat, but there’s a tom-based pattern near the end, so be mindful of keeping steady tempo as you play.
Dear, boyHump Back
Hump Back is a three-piece girls’ rock band from Osaka—a shining example of the new generation of rock bands.
Their songs, powered by slightly husky, rock-infused vocals and a strong mindset, are fiery and sure to get the crowd going even when played by a cover band.
Since it’s a mid-tempo track, you should be able to perform it well with solid practice.
There’s a guitar solo, so make sure to practice it thoroughly, and there’s a tight accent section in the middle of the solo—be sure each part locks in together and stays in sync!
Girl SSCANDAL
A four-member girls’ rock band that made their major debut in 2008, SCANDAL’s track.
With a mid-tempo feel and no particularly difficult phrases in any part, it’s a song that beginners can easily take on.
For guitar, aside from the intro riff and the interlude, you can play using only power chords, but be careful in the first verse: the strumming approach changes between the first and second halves even though the chords stay the same.
The bass can be played using just root notes, but if you perform with the same setup as the original, there are sections where you’ll also handle vocals, so be mindful not to let your rhythm slip.
The drum patterns differ slightly between the verse, pre-chorus, and chorus; focusing on each will add dynamics and bring you closer to the original vibe.
In the latter half of the song there are many breaks—make sure to stop cleanly where the sound cuts off to add contrast and improve the overall tightness of the performance.
At the End of SorrowElefanto Kashimashi
Elephant Kashimashi is a band that has steadfastly maintained its own style without pandering to the times, while embracing a wide range of musicality in their sound—continuing to have a profound influence on bands that followed.
It’s been over 35 years since their striking major-label debut album THE ELEPHANT KASHIMASHI, and they’re still going strong in the Reiwa era, beloved by younger generations of music fans as well.
Their career-turning song, “Kanashimi no Hate,” is a true masterpiece that packs overflowing emotion into just two and a half minutes, and many people first discovered them through this track back in the ’90s.
Since “Kanashimi no Hate” is arranged according to the basic principles of rock, it’s the kind of song where the emotionality of the melody is directly linked to the ensemble.
So rather than relying on flashy tricks, it ultimately comes down to how well the entire band can breathe as one.
Be mindful of the many moments where the guitar, bass, and drums lock in with sharp, simultaneous phrases, and approach it naturally—never in a forced way.
Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO
This song, which kicks off with crisp, satisfying guitar cutting, is “Ashita mo” by the all-girl band SHISHAMO.
You probably know it as the song from the Docomo commercial.
The straightforward, relatable lyrics pair perfectly with the simple, energetic band sound! What really stands out in this track is the brass section.
The brass tones instantly make the song feel more vibrant and bright! If you know anyone who used to be in a school band, definitely ask them to collaborate.
Even a simple arrangement will get everyone excited and having fun!
