29 Killer Songs Every Band Should Play: The Ultimate Setlist

Landing that perfect gig? Building a killer setlist that keeps the crowd energized? The key lies in knowing the best songs for a band to play. Choosing the right mix of crowd-pleasers, high-energy anthems, and maybe even a surprising cover can make or break your performance. For bands of all levels – from fledgling garage bands to seasoned pros – crafting a setlist that resonates with your audience is crucial for building a loyal following and securing future bookings. This isn't just about playing your favorite tunes; it’s about understanding your audience, mastering the art of transitions, and ensuring an unforgettable experience. So, whether you're looking to electrify a small club or rock a larger festival stage, this list of carefully curated songs will provide you with the ammunition you need to deliver a truly epic performance. Let's dive into the tracks guaranteed to get the crowd moving!

29 Killer Songs Every Band Should Play: The Ultimate Setlist
SongArtistAlbumListens
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana Nevermind (Remastered) 2B+
2. Sweet Child O' Mine Guns N' Roses Appetite For Destruction 2B+
3. Every Breath You Take The Police Synchronicity (Remastered 2003) 1B+
4. Livin' On A Prayer Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet 1B+
5. We Found Love Rihanna
Calvin Harris
Talk That Talk 1B+
6. Locked out of Heaven Bruno Mars Unorthodox Jukebox 1B+
7. Moves Like Jagger Christina Aguilera
Maroon 5
Hands All Over 812M+

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

Iconic Opening: The song's instantly recognizable distorted guitar riff and driving rhythm section create a powerful and unforgettable opening that's perfect for grabbing an audience's attention.

Dynamic Arrangement: The track's dynamic shifts between quiet verses and explosive choruses provide ample opportunity for showcasing musical versatility and stage presence.

Crowd Engagement: Its anthemic quality and familiar chorus make it incredibly easy to get the crowd singing along, creating a high-energy, shared experience.

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

2. Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns N' Roses)

Iconic Guitar Riff: Sweet Child o' Mine boasts one of the most recognizable and easily replicated guitar intros in rock history, making it a crowd-pleaser and a great learning tool for aspiring guitarists.

Dynamic Range: The song features a dynamic build-up, from the quiet, almost whispered verses to the powerful chorus, providing ample opportunity for musicians to showcase their range and skill in controlling volume and intensity.

Singalong Chorus: The chorus is incredibly catchy and memorable, creating an amazing singalong experience for both the band and the audience, ensuring a high-energy performance.

Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses

3. Every Breath You Take (1983)

Every Breath You Take - The Police

Genre Blend: A masterclass in blending reggae rhythms with new wave sensibilities, offering a unique sonic landscape ripe for interpretation and arrangement.

Iconic Bassline & Drumming: The instantly recognizable bassline and intricate drumming provide a solid foundation for a powerful performance, allowing for impressive instrumental showcases.

Vocal Dynamics: Sting's vocals offer a range of dynamics, from a low, brooding register to powerful crescendos, providing opportunities for vocalists to truly shine.

Every Breath You Take - The Police

4. Livin' On A Prayer (Bon Jovi - 1986)

Iconic Vocal Harmony: Livin' on a Prayer features a memorable and powerful vocal interplay between Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, creating a dynamic and engaging performance perfect for showcasing vocal talent.

Anthemic Chorus: The incredibly catchy chorus is instantly recognizable and guaranteed to get the crowd singing along, creating a high-energy atmosphere ideal for a live performance.

Relatively Easy Arrangement: While the song has a powerful sound, the underlying structure is surprisingly accessible for many bands, making it a strong choice for a cover without requiring extensive musical experience.

Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi

5. We Found Love (Rihanna ft Calvin Harris)

Driving Beat: "We Found Love" boasts a powerful, infectious beat that's incredibly engaging for live performance, providing a solid foundation for a dynamic show.

Vocal Dynamics: Rihanna's vocals are both powerful and emotive, offering ample opportunity for a lead singer to showcase their range and stage presence.

Crowd Engagement: The song's massive popularity guarantees audience singalongs and an energetic atmosphere, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

We Found Love - Rihanna,Calvin Harris

6. Locked out of Heaven (2013)

Upbeat Tempo and Groove: "Locked Out of Heaven" boasts a highly infectious rhythm section, making it incredibly fun and engaging for a live performance. The driving beat and funky bassline will get the audience moving.

Vocal Range and Performance: Bruno Mars' powerful vocals shine in this track, providing ample opportunity for a lead singer to showcase their range and charisma. The song's dynamic structure allows for impressive vocal flourishes.

Instrumentation and Arrangement: The song features a blend of retro-funk and pop elements, offering diverse instrumental parts (horns, guitars, etc.) which allows for creative instrumental solos and arrangements.

Locked out of Heaven - Bruno Mars

7. Moves Like Jagger (Christina Aguilera ft Maroon 5 - 2025)

Moves Like Jagger

Artist: Christina Aguilera & Maroon 5

High-Energy Rhythm: The infectious beat and driving rhythm section provide a fantastic foundation for a live performance, easily getting the crowd moving.

Dynamic Vocals: The song features a strong vocal melody with ample opportunity for both lead and backing vocalists to shine, showcasing individual talent while complementing each other.

Crowd Pleaser: Its popularity and instantly recognizable hook guarantee audience engagement and create a memorable performance experience; consider incorporating call-and-response elements to further enhance audience participation.

Moves Like Jagger - Christina Aguilera,Maroon 5

8. Mr. Brightside (The Killers)

Catchy Rhythm: Mr. Brightside boasts a driving, instantly recognizable rhythm section that's incredibly easy for a band to lock into, making it highly engaging for both players and audiences.

Anthemic Vocals: Brandon Flowers' impassioned vocals are iconic and provide a powerful, emotive core that’s perfect for building energy during a live performance.

Crowd Participation: The song’s well-known chorus naturally lends itself to audience singalongs, creating a high-energy atmosphere that solidifies its place as a great choice for any band looking to connect with their crowd.

Mr. Brightside - The Killers

9. Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver - 1971)

Take Me Home, Country Roads

Artist: John Denver

Instrumentation: The relatively simple instrumentation, featuring acoustic guitar, banjo, and mandolin, makes it easy for bands of varying skill levels to cover effectively. A strong foundation for both instrumental and vocal showcases.

Vocal Melody: Denver's iconic, heartfelt vocal melody is instantly recognizable and provides ample opportunity for lead vocalists to shine, with opportunities for harmonies that add depth and richness.

Audience Appeal: Its nostalgic and universally relatable theme of longing for home resonates deeply with audiences, guaranteeing a singalong experience and creating an enjoyable atmosphere for both performers and listeners.

Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver

10. Wonderwall

Iconic Riff: Wonderwall boasts one of the most recognizable and easily-played guitar riffs in rock history, making it instantly engaging for audiences and a joy for bands to learn.

Crowd-Pleasing Chorus: The anthemic chorus is incredibly singalong-able, guaranteeing audience participation and creating a powerful, unified energy during live performances.

Relatively Simple Structure: Despite its iconic status, the song's structure is straightforward, allowing bands of varying skill levels to tackle it effectively with minimal rehearsal.

Wonderwall - Oasis
  • Shut Up and Dance
    11

    Shut Up and Dance

    WALK THE MOON

    2014

    TALKING IS HARD

  • Can't Stop
    12

    Can't Stop

    Red Hot Chili Peppers

    2002

    By the Way (Deluxe Edition)

  • Feel It Still
    13

    Feel It Still

    Portugal. The Man

    2017

    Woodstock

  • Teenage Dirtbag
    14

    Teenage Dirtbag

    Wheatus

    2000

  • Don't Stop Believin'
    15

    Don't Stop Believin'

    Journey

    1981

    Escape (2022 Remaster)

  • Summer Of '69
    16

    Summer Of '69

    Bryan Adams

    1985

    Reckless (30th Anniversary / Deluxe Edition)

  • Dancing in the Moonlight
    17

    Dancing in the Moonlight

    Toploader

    2000

    Onka's Big Moka

  • Lonely Boy
    18

    Lonely Boy

    The Black Keys

    2011

    El Camino

  • I'm Gonna Be
    19

    I'm Gonna Be

    The Proclaimers

    1993

    Sunshine on Leith

  • Brown Eyed Girl
    20

    Brown Eyed Girl

    Van Morrison

    1967

    Blowin' Your Mind!

  • You've Got The Love
    21

    You've Got The Love

    Florence + The Machine

    2009

    Lungs (Deluxe Edition)

  • I Will Survive
    22

    I Will Survive

    Gloria Gaynor

    1978

    Future Bound

  • Mr. Blue Sky
    23

    Mr. Blue Sky

    Electric Light Orchestra

    1977

    Out Of The Blue

  • Breakfast At Tiffany's
    24

    Breakfast At Tiffany's

    Deep Blue Something

    1995

  • Chelsea Dagger
    25

    Chelsea Dagger

    The Fratellis

    2006

  • I Love Rock 'n' Roll
    26

    I Love Rock 'n' Roll

    Joan Jett , the Blackhearts

    1981

  • Parklife
    27

    Parklife

    Blur

    1994

  • Place Your Hands
    28

    Place Your Hands

    Reef

    1997

  • Rockin' All Over the World
    29

    Rockin' All Over the World

    Status Quo

    1977