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!
Playlist
| First live band performance: Popular recommended songs to cover for entertainment acts and showcases [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | My First KissHi-STANDARD |  play_arrow | This “My First Kiss” is a... |
| 2east | A flower called “you”ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION |  play_arrow | Recommended for beginner bands with two guitarists… |
| 3east | Is that okay?RADWIMPS |  play_arrow | An incredible sense of unity with the audience at a live show... |
| 4east | A Little Love SongMONGOL800 |  play_arrow | A love song that pours out straight-from-the-heart feelings, ‘Chisa…’ |
| 5east | Gather round! Party people!Yabai T-shatsu Yasan |  play_arrow | If you just want to play an upbeat, high-energy song, then this is the one… |
| 6east | Girl SSCANDAL |  play_arrow | If it's a band with a female vocalist, then by all means cha... |
| 7east | I’ve always liked you.Saitō Kazuyoshi |  play_arrow | A heartwarming love song that weaves memories of a first love... |
| 8east | Heroineback number |  play_arrow | I want to try playing a song with a mellow, soothing vibe... |
| 9east | You don’t listen to rock.aimyon |  play_arrow | Singing about unrequited feelings that just won’t get through… |
| 10east | incredible speedandymori |  play_arrow | A young person who overlays the passing seasons with a sense of impatience... |
| 11east | Let’s give it a tryWANIMA |  play_arrow | The three P's, which are especially immensely popular among the younger generation... |
| 12east | I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu |  play_arrow | Band scores for beginner instrumentalists as well, and... |
| 13east | secret base 〜What You Gave Me〜ZONE |  play_arrow | The main [something] of “Kids War 3: Don’t Mess With Me.” |
| 14east | BABYBABYichou BOYZ |  play_arrow | Here lies one of Ging Nang BOYZ’s signature songs. Intense... |
| 15east | Messenger from SundayZa Hairouzu |  play_arrow | You can make music work with just three chords, a— |
| 16east | GLAMOROUS SKYNakajima Mika |  play_arrow | A rock tune that makes you tingle with its cool worldview... |
| 17east | Sora-buneTOKIO |  play_arrow | Please pour your heart into performing this song, which is filled with strong will… |
| 18east | Wish Upon a Starflumpool |  play_arrow | “I want to see the person I cherish.” That single-hearted longing comes across… |
| 19east | GIVE ME FIVE !AKB48 |  play_arrow | If you're looking for an energetic, high-powered song... |
| 20east | At the End of SorrowElefanto Kashimashi |  play_arrow | If you want to hype up the venue with a masculine song, this is the one... |
| 21east | silhouetteKANA-BOON |  play_arrow | KANA-BOON's energetic music |
| 22east | March 9Remioromen |  play_arrow | It’s a ballad whose warm, moving emotion seeps into the heart. Remi… |
| 23east | The Never-Ending SongTHE BLUE HEARTS |  play_arrow | An iconic chant of a punk rock band |
| 24east | I’ll walk home.Saitō Kazuyoshi |  play_arrow | The lively shuffle-beat classic “Katte ni Sindbad” |
| 25east | astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN |  play_arrow | This is the one song I absolutely want you to do for the school festival performance… |
| 26east | Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis |  play_arrow | Let's not dwell on the past and look ahead. Such encouragement... |
| 27east | clear skiesOrangestar |  play_arrow | Orangestar “Clear Weather”: a simple song with a refreshing feel |
| 28east | Re:makeONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | Among ONE OK ROCK’s songs, it’s relatively… |
| 29east | SolaninASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION |  play_arrow | Besides ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, it’s also known for having been sung by Aoi Miyazaki… |
| 30east | Shunkan SentimentalSCANDAL |  play_arrow | Addictive, fast-paced beat-rock sound... |
| 31east | JitterbugELLEGARDEN |  play_arrow | The technique of plucking the strings one by one is called arpeggio... |
| 32east | Last live showBurandē Senki |  play_arrow | Brandy War Chronicles Final Live Commentary |
| 33east | Dear, boyHump Back |  play_arrow | Don't give up on your dreams! A moving song that cheers on youth |
| 34east | asking for the moonKANA-BOON |  play_arrow | A driving four-on-the-floor rhythm that overflows with a sense of speed makes a strong impression... |
| 35east | boyfriendaiko |  play_arrow | A girls’ aspiration, boys love it, everyone does it somewhere… |
| 36east | Love SongGO!GO!7188 |  play_arrow | It's a classic song by GO!GO!7188. The guitar is... |
| 37east | Just the two of usRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | Known across a wide range of generations through the film “Your Name”… |
| 38east | MissingELLEGARDEN |  play_arrow | “Missin…” released in 2007 |
| 39east | The Zero Sense10-FEET |  play_arrow | The end of a fast-paced basketball movie brimming with a sense of speed… |
| 40east | flash[Alexandros] | ![flash[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xfG6L9I7N8I/default.jpg) play_arrow | A powerful, fast-paced track driving toward the future. |
| 41east | Be kind to othersTHE BLUE HEARTS |  play_arrow | Those who started their band activities by covering this song… |
| 42east | youth↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓ |  play_arrow | A rush of speed and aching sadness strikes the heart—the brilliance and pain of youth... |
| 43east | My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | It’s a moving song that portrays a love transcending time and space... |
| 44east | Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa |  play_arrow | A refreshing youth song portraying friendship and hope |
| 45east | AM11:00HY |  play_arrow | When it comes to love songs, it’s gotta be HY—so much so that people even say that… |
| 46east | Mass-produced boyfriendSHISHAMO |  play_arrow | Girls' rock for a three-piece band, even for beginners... |
| 47east | 20th Century BoyT-REX |  play_arrow | Powerful guitar riffs and a catchy melody… |
| 48east | Psychic Lockyangusukinii |  play_arrow | Let's perform Young Skinny's songs with heat and power! |
| 49east | To tell you the truth,yangusukinii |  play_arrow | Young Skinny's heart-touching song 'Hontō wa ne,' |
| 50east | Banzai ~ I’m glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu |  play_arrow | As a school festival attraction, this would get pretty hype... |
| 51east | Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā |  play_arrow | Since its release in 2009, karaoke… |
| 52east | cherrysupittsu |  play_arrow | Speaking of songs recommended for beginners, it would be songs like ... |
| 53east | Fuzzy NavelConton Candy |  play_arrow | TikTok hit song “Fuzzy Navel” is popular |
| 54east | RPGSEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | S... by SEKAI NO OWARI that’s popular across a wide range of ages |
| 55east | Being human is nicegagaga DX |  play_arrow | The nostalgia of children's songs and the essence of youth punk... |
| 56east | cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai |  play_arrow | Ai Otsuka’s hugely popular hit that took the 2000s by storm… |
| 57east | SalamanderELLEGARDEN |  play_arrow | The powerful musical sound of Ellegarden |
| 58east | Run, SAKAMOTOVaundy |  play_arrow | Vaundy “Run, SAKAMOTO” anime opening theme |
| 59east | Planet LoopEVE |  play_arrow | A song composed by NayutalieN, sung by Eva. |
| 60east | Number one punk!Za Kuromaniyonzu |  play_arrow | Infused with an indomitable spirit and a positive message... |
| 61east | GONGWANIMA |  play_arrow | ONE PIECE movie theme song: feels like adventure and challenge |
| 62east | You don’t get it.WurtS |  play_arrow | An emblematic WurtS track where emotional lyrics fuse with dance music |
| 63east | 365 daysMr.Children |  play_arrow | It’s a beautiful love song that weaves a bittersweet feeling of love... |
| 64east | Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS |  play_arrow | It’s a popular song that leaves an impression with its power and sense of speed. |
| 65east | Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number |  play_arrow | It’s a song that portrays the feelings of a bittersweet unrequited love. 2… |
| 66east | Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana |  play_arrow | You’ve probably heard the intro guitar riff at least once in a music store or on the st… |
| 67east | Hana no YumeChatto Monchī |  play_arrow | If you’re a girl who’s ever been in a band, at least once… |
| 68east | UkifuneGO!GO!7188 |  play_arrow | GO!GO!7188’s classic song “Ukifune” captures a traditional Japanese atmosphere and powerful intensity. |
| 69east | revolutionandymori |  play_arrow | Musical Characteristics and Performance Tips for andymori’s “Kakumei” (Revolution) |
| 70east | Young adultmakaroni enpitsu |  play_arrow | The powerful musical expression of Macaroni Enpitsu |
| 71east | Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | Trust your instincts and move toward your dreams. |
| 72east | Daphne (winter daphne)DISH// |  play_arrow | A moving song depicting the gratitude and hopes of exam-takers |
| 73east | LOVE ROCKETSThe Birthday |  play_arrow | Released in December 2022, it became a social phenomenon and… |
| 74east | ArueBUMP OF CHICKEN |  play_arrow | Characteristics of BUMP OF CHICKEN’s “Arue” and practice tips |
| 75east | I miss youkariyushi 58 |  play_arrow | It’s a heart-throbbing love song! It has a unique touch of Okinawan music... |
| 76east | Dear you, somedayKankaku Pierrot |  play_arrow | Used in the drama “Yutori Desu ga Nani ka”… |
| 77east | RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION |  play_arrow | An iconic, fiery rock anthem that resonates with high school students! |
| 78east | Endless JourneyMr.Children |  play_arrow | A moving masterpiece that expresses one’s true self |
| 79east | Heavy rotationAKB48 |  play_arrow | Should I call out, “Lovers, gather round!”… |
| 80east | Only Lonely GloryBUMP OF CHICKEN |  play_arrow | It makes my heart race—makes me want to look ahead without even thinking… |
| 81east | The Night of Howling at the Red MoonGO!GO!7188 |  play_arrow | It’s a song that paints a heart-stirring scene! GO!G… |
| 82east | Under the moonlightMONGOL800 |  play_arrow | A gentle yet powerful love song, wrapped in moonlight… |
| 83east | Anarchy In The UKSEX PISTOLS |  play_arrow | This song embodies the rebellious spirit of punk rock. … |
| 84east | You and the summer music festivalSHISHAMO |  play_arrow | With a refreshing and catchy melody that leaves a strong impression... |
| 85east | Let It BeThe Beatles |  play_arrow | This song, which can be called one of the Beatles’ signature tracks. 197... |
| 86east | THANXWANIMA |  play_arrow | The lyrics are so good that I was going to cover it as a performance for fun… |
| 87east | ONE NIGHT STANDZIGGY |  play_arrow | A powerful portrayal of fleeting love encountered on a journey... |
| 88east | Bluebirdikimonogakari |  play_arrow | A straight-from-the-heart anthem that cheers on youth... |
| 89east | It’s fine.Urufuruzu |  play_arrow | Powerful vocals and an exhilarating, refreshing sound... |
| 90east | There’s always tomorrowUrufuruzu |  play_arrow | A legendary hit that needs no introduction! Everyone knows it... |
| 91east | Thunder RoadZa Hairouzu |  play_arrow | Two people who pledged their vows, hand in hand through various hardships… |
| 92east | Shangri-LaChatto Monchī |  play_arrow | With its pop, catchy melody that leaves a strong impression, ... |
| 93east | Ultramarine DaysToukyou Jihen |  play_arrow | A profound portrayal of aching feelings and urban loneliness... |
| 94east | Real voiceayaka |  play_arrow | I want you to nail it coolly as a girls’ band… |
| 95east | WINDING LOADAyaka × Kobukuro |  play_arrow | Harmonizing with two or three members who are confident in their singing... |
| 96east | LIFE: Beyond What’s Right in Front of YouKanjani∞ |  play_arrow | The uniquely Kansai vibe gives it that Johnny’s-like... |
| 97east | The world calls it love.Sambomasutā |  play_arrow | When it comes to youthful love songs, this is the one! Sambomaster… |
| 98east | Millennium MedalZa Hairouzu |  play_arrow | A love song in which a man pledges a simple yet strong love to a woman at their wedding. |
| 99east | frecklesJUDY AND MARY |  play_arrow | JUDY AND MARY, released in 1996… |
| 100east | Star Lablationkerakera |  play_arrow | The bright, cute vocal voice is that of a girl... |