29 Killer Songs Every Band Should Play: The Ultimate Setlist

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.