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First live band performance: Popular recommended songs to cover for entertainment acts and showcases [2026]
For your first performance in front of an audience, it’s natural to feel nervous, and above all, to agonize over the setlist.
For beginner bands, I’ve picked out well-known bands and highly recognizable songs that are easy to play even for a first performance and are likely to get everyone excited.
Consider the age range of the people who’ll be there, and choose some good tracks from this list.
I hope you find a wonderful, perfect song worthy of your debut performance—and I wish you the best of luck!
First band performance: Popular recommended songs to cover for entertainment/skits [2026] (1–10)
My First KissHi-STANDARD
“My First Kiss” is a cover by the band Hi-STANDARD of “Hajimete no Chuu,” the opening theme from the anime Kiteretsu Daihyakka.
It’s included on their 2000 single “Love Is A Battlefield.” The familiar melody pairs perfectly with the powerful rock sound.
One of the best things about this track is its easy-to-play tempo.
In band performance, individual skill matters, but it’s also crucial for the whole band to lock in the rhythm together.
In that regard, “My First Kiss” sits at a moderate BPM—neither too fast nor too slow—making it very playable!
A flower called “you”ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
Here’s a recommendation for beginner bands with two guitarists: “Kimi to Iu Hana” by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION.
Released in 2003 as their second single, it’s an easy-to-get-into rock track with a somewhat wistful vibe.
The guitar parts are mostly built from foundational power chords and lead octave playing—both very approachable for beginners.
Another selling point is that the melody’s highest notes aren’t too high, making it easier to sing even for men who aren’t confident with their upper range.
Is that okay?RADWIMPS
Have you ever wanted to create an incredible sense of unity with your audience at a live show? RADWIMPS’s “Iindesuka?” is a perfect song for band beginners to bring that vision to life.
It kicks off with handclaps right from the opening, naturally generating a feeling of togetherness.
Gather round! Party people!Yabai T-shatsu Yasan
If you want to play an all-out high-energy song, this is it! It’s one of the signature tracks by the Hyogo-born rock band “Yabai T-Shirts Yasan,” titled “Gather Up! Party People.” It’s included on their second single, “Piano Rock Band,” released in 2015.
Even the title screams “upper” tune, and the vibe, melody, and lyrics are all lively! It’s got enough energy to blow away any mental haze in an instant.
Since the song is built around a four-on-the-floor beat and off-beat hi-hat patterns, try focusing on a band ensemble that centers on the drums.
Girl SSCANDAL
If you’re a band with a female vocalist, this is definitely worth a try! SCANDAL’s “Shōjo S,” released in 2009 as their third single, was used as the opening theme for the anime BLEACH and became a hit.
It’s a powerful, energetic guitar rock track that hits both the ears and the heart.
The mid-tempo feel and the absence of complex playing techniques make it approachable.
Aim to nail the breaks leading into the chorus to bring out that strong, punchy vibe.
And if you’ve got the bandwidth, try adding chorus vocals to make the vocal work even richer!
A Little Love SongMONGOL800
A love song that pours out straightforward feelings, “Chiisana Koi no Uta.” It’s a signature track by the Okinawan rock band MONGOL800, released in 2001, and it’s remained a beloved hit ever since, featuring in commercials and even inspiring a movie.
You can play it if the guitar uses power chords, the bass sticks to root notes, and the drums keep an 8-beat.
Fancy tricks can come later—first, aim to get through the whole song from start to finish.
One note of caution: the original tempo is quite fast, so take it slow at first.
You don’t listen to rock.aimyon
This song is about unrequited love—feelings that just won’t get through.
It’s the third single by Aimyon, a singer-songwriter from Hyogo Prefecture, released in September 2017.
With over 100 million streams, it has captured the hearts of many.
It conveys the bittersweet feelings of “me,” who wants to share the greatness of rock music with “you,” who doesn’t listen to rock.
The powerful, husky vocals are striking, and its heartfelt message is compelling.
It’s a track that brings back memories of that painful first love many experience in their youth.
Also recommended for those trying a band performance for the first time.
I’ve always liked you.Saitō Kazuyoshi
A heartwarming love song that captures memories of first love.
Released in 2010 as singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito’s 38th single, it gained major attention after being featured in a Shiseido commercial.
His gentle vocals are so soothing.
The song centers on a reunion at a class gathering, imbued with both nostalgia and bittersweet emotion.
It’s perfect for your first band performance: the simple chord progression makes it easy to play, and the catchy melody is sure to brighten the venue.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to relive their youth.
incredible speedandymori
It’s a rock tune that overlays the passing of the seasons with a sense of impatience, as if capturing a young person’s heart just as it is.
The song is included on andymori’s self-titled debut album released in 2009.
At about 1 minute and 30 seconds, it’s a short piece whose down-to-earth band sound is very easy on the ears.
In 2024, it went viral on TikTok as a dance video track and became a hot topic.
Because it’s short, it doesn’t have many sections, so I think you can memorize the song quickly.
When performing it, it might be a good idea to have dancers join in as well.
Heroineback number
If you’d like to try performing a song with a mellow, heartfelt vibe, how about “Heroine” by back number? Released in 2015 as their 11th single, it was featured in JR East’s “JR SKISKI” commercials.
Centered around the tone of the acoustic guitar, the sound unfolds gently, and the lyrics—capturing bittersweet feelings for someone you love—make it a memorable winter song.
The chord progression is simple and doesn’t require advanced techniques, so it should be easy to take on.
Also, while you can hear strings and various other sounds in the original, the piece still works well with just guitar, bass, and drums.