[Band Performance] Recommended Songs to Liven Up Year-End and New Year Parties [2025]
When the season for year-end and New Year parties approaches, choosing an act can be a headache.
If you’re in a band, showcasing a band performance is definitely an option.
But when you consider things like the age range of the crowd and what suits your skill level, ideas don’t always come easily.
If you’re going to perform, you want everyone to get excited, right?
In this article, we’ve gathered cover band songs that are guaranteed to liven up any party act or performance.
We’ve focused on widely known hits across generations and winter-themed tracks, so please use this as a reference!
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[Band Performance] Recommended Songs to Liven Up Year-End and New Year Parties [2025] (21–30)
A Cruel Angel's ThesisYoko Takahashi
Known as a classic anime song, this track is guaranteed to get everyone hyped.
Released in October 1995 as the opening theme for Neon Genesis Evangelion, it remains popular to this day.
Yoko Takahashi’s powerful vocals and the lyrics depicting youth, growth, and potential leave a strong impression.
It’s perfect for end-of-year or New Year parties, and just the intro will bring the whole room together.
It may be a bit challenging to perform, but it’s definitely worth taking on as a group.
Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS
This is the major-label debut single by THE BLUE HEARTS, a four-piece rock band that enjoyed immense popularity—especially among students—nationwide from the late 1980s to the early 1990s.
Their eccentric performances and high-velocity songs made a huge impact on the J-pop scene at the time, and their melodies—delivering piercing, heartfelt lyrics in a catchy way—won wide support.
The title “Linda Linda” doesn’t have any particular meaning, and since it isn’t explained in the lyric booklet, it might even be fun to swap in your own words when performing it.
It’s a song known across generations, making it a sure-fire rock number to liven up end-of-year and New Year’s parties with a wide range of ages.
[Band Performance] Recommended Songs to Liven Up Year-End and New Year Parties [2025] (31–40)
DansharismUchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai
This is a song by Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai, a band that champions everyday-life loud rock.
It was released digitally on December 20, 2024, with the music video dropping the same day.
Perfect for the year-end cleaning season, the track centers on the theme of decluttering.
The lyrics humorously and relatably capture the struggle of trying to sort out unwanted items but getting stuck because of memories and lingering attachments.
Crank up this explosive tune and get yourself hyped!
Girl SSCANDAL
This is the third single by SCANDAL, a four-member girls’ band who, despite all being beginners on their instruments when they formed, have grown into musicians capable of writing their own songs.
The track was used as an opening theme for the TV anime BLEACH, and its tight beat and stylish melody line are super catchy.
The intro guitar riff and slap bass might sound tricky, but the tempo is relaxed and the phrases are simple, so even beginner band members can learn to play it quickly with a bit of practice.
It’s a rock tune that shines with a cute edge beneath its cool exterior—perfect for women to perform at year-end or New Year parties.
Sora-buneTOKIO
TOKIO is a skilled band that made waves as the first Johnny’s group to perform at a summer festival, electrifying the venue.
They’re hugely popular on variety shows too, and are incredibly well-known artists! I’m sure people of all ages are familiar with many of their songs, but among them, this track might be especially famous.
Written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima, its lyrics—about facing forward and moving ahead with strength—perfectly match Nagase’s rugged vocals.
It’s definitely a great pick to cover with a band as well.
New Treasure IslandSakanaction
Given the script for the movie Bakuman, vocalist Ichiro Yamaguchi wrote this song.
Not only the performance but even copying the gently swaying dance from the music video is sure to get the audience laughing.
The vocal range isn’t very high either, making it easy to sing.
I’ve always liked you.Kazuyoshi Saito
This is one of singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito’s signature songs and a classic beloved by a wide range of generations! The rock ’n’ roll-style guitar sound is striking, giving the song a clean and refreshing feel.
That’s why it’s a safe choice to perform at parties where people of all ages gather.
The guitar backing phrase can make it a bit tricky to sing while playing, so it’ll take some practice! Alternatively, you could have separate people handle the guitar and the vocals.