[2026] Recommended for after-parties, performances, and entertainment! Classic hits by Western rock bands

When it’s decided that you’ll perform as a band for an after-party or other event, the hardest part is picking the songs, right?

It depends on the theme of the occasion and the age range of the audience, but for those who want to nail it with cool songs by Western rock bands, we’ve put together a list of classic tracks that are guaranteed to get the crowd going!

If it’s an after-party full of Western music fans, you might be able to get away with more niche selections, but this time we’re focusing on songs that are widely known from commercials and the like, as well as upbeat tracks that will hype the crowd even if they don’t know the song.

If you’re stuck at the song selection stage before you’ve even started practicing, definitely check this out!

Playlist

[2026] Recommended for after-parties, performances, and entertainment! Classic hits by Western rock bands
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	LosTBring Me The Horizon		Emo pop-punk that releases repressed emotions
2	SugarMaroon 5		Maroon 5’s worldwide hit that passionately expresses romantic feelings
3	Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis		The flowing guitar music of the oasis
4	Still WaitingSUM41		A socially satirical pop-punk song by SUM 41
5	BrianstormArctic Monkeys		Arctic Monkeys’ signature song “Brian”
6	It’s My LifeBon Jovi		Bon Jovi’s iconic songs of the 2000s
7	Adventure Of A LifetimeColdplay		Recommendation of Coldplay's famous songs from 2015
8	Master Of PuppetsMetallica		Metallica's signature song, Master of Puppets
9	Zitti E BuoniMåneskin		A signature work by Måneskin. Hot and hard rock–style.
10	Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)The Offspring		The Offspring’s satirical hit song
11	Seven Nation ArmyThe White Stripes		The White Stripes’ globally renowned hit song
12	Basket CaseGreen Day		An anthem by Green Day that resonated with young people in the ’90s
13	Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana		An iconic 90s grunge anthem
14	Dani CaliforniaRed Hot Chili Peppers		The Grammy-winning Red Hot Chili Peppers classic
15	Are You ReadyAC/DC		A hard rock classic in the style of AC/DC
16	Song 2Blur		Blur's signature song, released in 1997, was a major hit.
17	We Can Work it OutThe Beatles		A Beatles classic that sings about the importance of reconciliation and communication
18	My GenerationThe Who		An iconic song that embodied the rebellious spirit of the ’60s
19	We Will Rock YouQueen		Queen's signature song, shaking the stadium
20	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		Timeless music with beautiful melodies
21	YellowColdplay		Coldplay’s love song that vows eternal love
22	September GurlsBig Star		A power pop masterpiece that sings of lost love
23	TinyDinosaur Jr.		Dinosaur Jr.'s roaring guitars are captivating.
24	As Long As You Love MeBackstreet Boys		A love song about unconditional love. A worldwide smash hit.
25	Don’t Stop5 Seconds of Summer		A rising band releases a refreshing youth anthem
26	Jon BellionAll Time Low		catchy, danceable pop music
27	Red AlertBasement Jaxx		Introduction to Club Dance Music
28	Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi		A refreshing rock tune that makes you want to drink beer
29	Harder, Better, Faster, StrongerDaft Punk		A contemporary electro band track
30	The Last Of The Real OnesFall Out Boy		Rhythmic hard track for driving
31	WalkFoo Fighters		Background music that includes diverse elements
32	American IdiotGreen Day		Upbeat BGM music
33	Love Bites (So Do I)Halestorm		Powerful female vocal music
34	Trip The DarknessLACUNA COIL		Female-vocal hard punk for young people
35	One More LightLinkin Park		Songs perfect for background music
36	FasterManic Street Preachers		Signature songs of Manic Street Preachers
37	Quit itMeat Puppets		A masterpiece depicting the Meat Puppets' self-transcendence
38	HelenaMy Chemical Romance		visual kei-style rock music group
39	Personality CrisisNew York Dolls		A masterpiece rock number from the dawn of New York punk
40	LipstickNulbarich		A stylish, soothing, all-purpose band song
41	Around The WorldRed Hot Chili Peppers		A powerful vibe with guitar and vocals
42	SeagullRide		The essence of Ride's shoegaze sound
43	All StarSmash Mouth		A gentle, catchy song suitable for a performance
44	20th Century boyT-REX		T. Rex's signature song shocks the music scene
45	Shake OutTHE LOVE EXPERIMENT		Music with an exotic and mysterious atmosphere
46	PanophobiaThe Agonist		A vocalist with a raspy voice and a beautiful voice
47	Wake up Boo!The Boo Radleys		A signature song by Bora D. Reyes depicting seasonal transitions
48	Boys Don’t CryThe Cure		Recommended cover songs depicting heartbreak and emotional expression
49	I’m BoredThe Damned		A song by the Damned depicts the cruelty of war.
50	Down In The Tube Station At MidnightThe Jam		A hard-hitting work that captures the dangerous atmosphere of 1970s London
51	Head OnThe Jesus and Mary Chain		A masterpiece where distorted guitars and romantic feelings fuse
52	You Really Got MeThe Kinks		A masterpiece in rock history. The guitar riff is intense.
53	RoxanneThe Police		A rock-style song perfect for magic performances
54	The KKK Took My Baby AwayThe Ramones		Get hyped with the Ramones’ classic hit
55	Paint It, BlackThe Rolling Stones		The Rolling Stones’ breakup song
56	Sally CinnamonThe Stone Roses		The Stone Roses’ revolutionary classic
57	The Sweater SongWeezer		Captivating indie-feel band music
58	Trucker’s HitchYlvis		For drives that shift from calm to a sense of speed
59	Shining LightAsh		A smash-hit song with themes of love and hope
60	What do I getBuzzcocks		A classic punk-pop song, also used in a movie
61	Malibu Beach NightmareHanoi rocks		Hanoi Rocks’ 1983 signature rock song
62	Last NiteThe Strokes		Unique with distinctive Showa-retro music