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!
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First Band Performance: Popular Recommended Songs to Cover for Entertainment/Shows [2026] (61–70)
Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS
It’s a popular song known for its power and sense of speed.
It features a catchy melody that anyone can hum and a simple yet memorable rhythm.
Released in May 1987 as a major debut single, it has been covered by various artists and even turned into a movie.
Although it’s known as a punk rock classic, it’s also perfect for beginner bands.
Play it live and it’s sure to draw the audience in and create a strong sense of unity.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to liven up a party or performance.
Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number
This song captures the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love.
Released in June 2013 as the eighth single, it’s also included on the album “Love Story.” From the distance implied by being “a friend of a friend,” it delicately portrays a man’s growing feelings for the person he admires.
In 2019, it was used in a Kirin Brewery commercial, resonating with many listeners.
Anyone who’s experienced unrequited love will find much to relate to.
It might even feel good to sing it out at karaoke and let all those bottled-up feelings go.
Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana
Haven’t you heard that intro guitar riff at a music store or rehearsal studio at least once? Since its release in 1991, it’s the most famous song by the legendary band Nirvana.
They’re also said to have brought the new genre known as grunge to the world.
Despite its intense band sound, it’s absolutely playable for beginners, making it a top pick to fire up any crowd!
Hana no YumeChatto Monchī
It’s such a major girls’ band that any girl who’s ever been in a band has probably covered a Chatmonchy song at least once.
This song’s chord progression isn’t difficult and the tempo isn’t too fast, so it’s a great pick for beginners.
The call-and-response section in the middle is the kind that even first-time listeners can join in on without thinking, so it’s guaranteed to get the crowd going.
UkifuneGO!GO!7188
GO!GO!7188’s “Ukifune” was released as a single in 2002 and was also included on the 2003 album “Tategami.” The nuanced vocals and overlapping timbres create a distinctly Japanese atmosphere, conveying a unique sense of power and floatiness.
Because each instrument resounds so boldly, the vocals play a key role in shaping the overall mood, making it important to focus on momentum during performance.
The clear structure—driving the rhythm strongly and strumming simple yet powerful chords—also makes it perfect for practice.
revolutionandymori
andymori’s “Kakumei” (Revolution) is included on their 2011 album of the same name, and it’s a song that nimbly expresses the heat within the heart.
The shift from a gentle opening to a sudden burst of speed is striking, and combined with the languid vocal delivery, it creates a uniquely atmospheric world.
Each instrument mainly locks into rhythms that match this acceleration, so it’s important not to get swept away by the momentum and to articulate every note with precision.
Precisely because the vocals are light, the instruments should sound firm and full, adding overall strength to the performance.
Young adultmakaroni enpitsu
Released by Macaroni Empitsu in 2019, “Young Adult” is included on the mini-album season and the full album hope.
While the rhythm is gentle, the sounds played carry a powerful force, evoking an image of complex emotions with no place to go.
Since the performance as a whole steadily marks the rhythm, it may be important to focus on a sense of groove so that the vocals stand out and the lift of the chorus is emphasized.
Precisely because the rhythm is gentle, the technique of letting each note resonate fully and then switching quickly is essential.