For students in bands, performing on the cultural festival stage is probably a major goal, isn’t it?
However, if you’ve only just started your instrument or have members with limited experience, choosing songs to play can be quite challenging.
The guitar might be easy but the drums are hard… or the drums are easy but the bass is hard… It’s tough to pick songs that are satisfying to listen to while keeping the difficulty under control.
So in this article, we’ll introduce recommended songs that beginners can definitely pull off if they practice hard.
The key is to be flexible—don’t cling too much to the original, and arrange the parts you absolutely can’t manage.
If you work on it with your bandmates while having fun as you prepare for your first stage, it’s sure to become a lifelong memory!
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[Culture Festival / School Festival] Recommended Songs for Beginner Bands (1–10)
asking for the moonKANA-BOON
A rock song by KANA-BOON, a band formed in Osaka Prefecture mainly by high school classmates.
It’s characterized by guitar phrases that use delay and lyrics in which male and female perspectives alternate.
While the guitar features many single-note lines, the parts are largely simple riffs, making it relatively easy for beginner guitarists to learn.
The bass often plays in unison with the guitar or sticks to root notes, but it also has standout moments, such as passages that double the vocal melody, keeping it simple yet effective.
The drums rely heavily on rhythm patterns with offbeat hi-hat accents that shape the song’s overall feel, so drummers unfamiliar with this pattern should start practicing slowly and build up speed.
A Little Love SongMONGOL800
A song by MONGOL800, a rock band from Okinawa known by the nickname “Monpachi.” It’s relatively easy to learn and play because the guitar uses power chords, the bass plays root notes, and the drums can be played with a simple 8-beat.
Since it’s not difficult to perform and it’s both famous and a crowd-pleaser, it’s a great number for beginner bands who want to start playing live right away.
While the performance itself is simple, the tempo is fast, and you’ll need to practice not only the playing but also the harmonies to capture the feel of the original.
If you’re aiming for a faithful cover, it’s important for the band to put in steady ensemble practice.
Daphne (winter daphne)DISH//
It’s not easy to put feelings of gratitude toward one’s parents into words.
This song gently embraces the heartfelt emotions of exam-takers who feel that way.
Released by DISH// in November 2021, it drew attention as the theme song for the NTV drama “The Winners in February.” Co-written by DISH// vocalist Takumi Kitamura and Hattori from Macaroni Empitsu, it carefully portrays the pressure and anxiety students feel, as well as their gratitude toward family.
With a powerful, march-inspired sound and wishes embedded in the daphne’s flower language—“glory” and “victory”—it’s sure to resonate with anyone awaiting the fruits of their efforts.
Deliver a breathtaking performance with this moving band number and leave your audience in awe!
Heroineback number
A heartrending love song that gently embraces a fleeting winter crush.
The whiteness of the snow and the warmth of the heart are strikingly portrayed, and the protagonist’s inability to put their feelings into words is beautifully expressed through a delicate melody.
Released in January 2015 by back number, it gained attention as the JR East “JR SKISKI” campaign song, also featured in a commercial starring Suzu Hirose.
It’s a perfect choice for bands looking for a calm, mellow piece.
Wherever you areONE OK ROCK
A ballad filled with gentle affection and vows.
The desire to always be by someone’s side and make them smile, along with the resolve to pledge eternal love, resonates deeply.
Though simply arranged around piano and acoustic guitar, Taka’s emotive vocals leave a strong impression.
Featured on the album “Niche Syndrome,” the song was used in 2015 as NTT Docomo’s commercial theme for the “Family” campaign, capturing the hearts of many.
It’s also highly popular as a wedding staple, taking first place in the ISUM Bridal Music Awards in both 2017 and 2018.
This is a perfect song to perform on stages at school cultural and campus festivals—events that can’t be created without bonds among friends and teachers.
My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS
This is a RADWIMPS song created for director Makoto Shinkai’s animated film, singing of a fateful love that transcends time.
It’s a pop tune that conveys strength amid poignancy, marked by energetic guitar sounds and a driving, up-tempo rhythm.
Included on the album “Your Name.” released in August 2016, the track drew major attention alongside the film’s mega-hit success, and it’s also beloved as a staple at school festivals where everyone can get excited together.
If you simplify the guitar and drum rhythm parts, it can be enjoyed in performance regardless of skill level.
Endless JourneyMr.Children
A song that expresses, through music, a way of life that cherishes individuality, driven by the powerful message, “You don’t have to imitate anyone.” As one of Mr.Children’s signature works, it inspires the courage to overcome setbacks and doubts and to follow your own path.
Released in October 1998 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Naguru Onna,” it became a hit, selling 516,000 copies in its first week.
Despite running over seven minutes, its appeal lies in an intricate arrangement featuring nine key changes and a grand sound built on a compelling guitar riff.
Even those just starting out with band performance should be able to present it confidently on a school festival stage by playing a simple arrangement together with friends.