Finding a reliable Guitar Hero Live music list in 2026 requires understanding exactly what remains accessible. Since the discontinuation of the streaming GHTV service years ago, the core experience of the game now centers entirely on the 42 on-disc tracks. These songs represent the curated "Live" mode, where players perform in front of real crowds with reactive, first-person FMV visuals.

Unlike previous entries in the franchise, Guitar Hero Live utilized a unique six-button controller layout—two rows of three buttons—which fundamentally changed how these tracks are played. Whether you are dusting off an old peripheral or picking up the game for the first time, this list covers every track you can still jam to today, categorized by the fictional bands and festivals that defined the reboot.

The Sound Dial Festival Setlists

Sound Dial serves as one of the primary festival environments in the game's career mode. The atmosphere here ranges from intimate barn stages to massive outdoor arenas, and the music reflects this diversity through indie, folk, and modern rock.

Broken Tide (Castle Stage)

Broken Tide is often considered the flagship band of the Sound Dial festival. Their setlist is heavy on modern alternative rock and high-energy riffs. Playing these tracks on the six-button layout requires quick transitions between "black" and "white" notes, simulating more realistic chord shapes.

  • "45" – The Gaslight Anthem (2012): A rhythmic anthem that serves as a perfect introduction to the game's chord-switching mechanics.
  • "Gold on the Ceiling" – The Black Keys (2011): Famous for its fuzzy riffs, this track challenges players with persistent blues-rock patterns.
  • "Little Monster" – Royal Blood (2014): As a bass-heavy duo, the guitar chart here is surprisingly complex, focusing on heavy power chords.
  • "Victory Over the Sun" – Biffy Clyro (2013): This track introduces more intricate rhythmic changes that test timing on higher difficulties.
  • "Tragedy + Time" – Rise Against (2014): A fast-paced punk rock staple that requires significant stamina for constant down-strumming.

Portland Cloud Orchestra (Barn Stage)

Shifting to the Barn Stage, the music takes a turn toward the "Stomp and Holler" era of indie folk. These songs are generally more accessible for beginners but feature unique strumming patterns.

  • "Ho Hey" – The Lumineers (2012): Simple, effective, and focuses on basic open-chord simulations.
  • "Mountain Sound" – Of Monsters and Men (2012): A dual-vocal track with a bright, melodic guitar line that flows across the frets.
  • "I Will Wait" – Mumford & Sons (2012): The banjo-influenced guitar lines create a frantic strumming pace that can be deceptive in its difficulty.

Our Pasts Collide (Fire Pit Stage)

This set moves into the emotional and post-hardcore territory, featuring mid-2000s classics that resonate with long-time genre fans.

  • "The Kill (Bury Me)" – Thirty Seconds to Mars (2005): A high-drama track with a soaring chorus that demands precision during the bridge.
  • "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" – Fall Out Boy (2013): Modern pop-punk with a heavy emphasis on sustained notes and rhythmic accents.
  • "Lived a Lie" – You Me At Six (2014): A straightforward rock track that helps players bridge the gap between Basic and Advanced difficulties.

Blackout Conspiracy (Fire Pit Stage)

For those looking for heavier riffs and aggressive breakdowns on the Sound Dial circuit, Blackout Conspiracy provides the metalcore edge.

  • "Shadow Moses" – Bring Me The Horizon (2013): This track features drop-tuned simulations and heavy chugging that feels incredibly satisfying on the tactile buttons.
  • "King for a Day" – Pierce the Veil ft. Kellin Quinn (2012): High-speed lead lines and frantic chord changes make this one of the more technical tracks in the set.
  • "Bones Exposed" – Of Mice & Men (2014): A showcase for heavy metal rhythm work, focusing on the bottom row of the controller.

The Rock the Block Festival Setlists

Rock the Block is the second major festival, moving the action to a more urban, street-style celebration. The music list here leans more toward pop-punk, electronic influences, and classic rock legends.

Yearbook Ghosts (The Ledges)

This band captures the essence of the early 2000s pop-punk explosion. These tracks are fan favorites for those who enjoy catchy melodies and fast, repetitive power chords.

  • "The Anthem" – Good Charlotte (2002): An iconic track that uses simple three-note shapes to mimic the classic punk sound.
  • "Everybody Talks" – Neon Trees (2011): A bright, upbeat song that focuses on lead flourishes and syncopated strumming.
  • "The Rock Show" – Blink-182 (2001): Fast, energetic, and quintessential Travis Barker-led rhythm, though you’ll be focusing on Tom DeLonge’s iconic riffs.

Quantum Freqs (The Ledges)

One of the most controversial yet interesting additions to the Guitar Hero Live music list was the inclusion of electronic and hip-hop influenced tracks. These charts translate synth lines and samples into guitar movements.

  • "Bangarang" – Skrillex ft. Sirah (2011): Playing dubstep on a guitar controller is a unique experience, focusing on rapid-fire tapping and stutter-step rhythms.
  • "Berzerk" – Eminem (2013): This track samples classic rock, making its inclusion more natural than it might initially seem.
  • "Club Foot" – Kasabian (2004): A driving, repetitive bass-heavy riff that provides a hypnotic gameplay loop.
  • "Wastelands" – Linkin Park (2014): A mix of heavy alternative riffs and electronic accents.

The Out-Outs (Strictland Park)

This stage focuses on pure pop-rock. While some purists might overlook these, the charts are often surprisingly intricate due to the layer of production in the original recordings.

  • "California King Bed" – Rihanna (2010): A power ballad that features a soaring guitar solo toward the end, providing a great moment for lead-style play.
  • "Waking Up in Vegas" – Katy Perry (2008): A guitar-driven pop song with a steady rhythm that is great for high-score chasing.
  • "Here’s to Never Growing Up" – Avril Lavigne (2013): Classic pop-punk structure that is easy to pick up but requires focus to Full Combo.

Vivid Screams (Roadblock)

This set is dedicated to powerful female-fronted rock acts, offering some of the most challenging vocal-melody-to-guitar translations in the game.

  • "Now" – Paramore (2013): Features a disjointed, rhythmic riff that is very different from the band's earlier pop-punk work.
  • "Love Bites (So Do I)" – Halestorm (2012): A legitimate shred-fest that features one of the most difficult solos on the disc.
  • "Lies" – Deap Vally (2013): Raw, bluesy rock with a dirty tone that feels great to play with the updated controller.

Fight Hound (Roadblock)

Fight Hound brings the grunge and hard rock influence to the Rock the Block festival. These tracks often feature complex chord voicing.

  • "Nuclear Family" – Green Day (2012): A return to form for the band, offering high-speed punk riffs that require consistent alt-strumming.
  • "Been Away Too Long" – Soundgarden (2012): Chris Cornell’s signature vocal lines are often mirrored in the guitar chart, along with heavy, muddy riffs.
  • "Mind Your Manners" – Pearl Jam (2013): A fast, aggressive track that borders on punk, requiring quick fingers and sharp reflexes.

VIP Party (Cactus Joe’s)

This is where the Guitar Hero Live music list pays homage to the legends of the genre. These are the tracks that define the "Hero" in the title.

  • "Paint It Black" – The Rolling Stones (1966): Perhaps the most famous song on the disc. Its sitar-influenced lead line is iconic and provides a significant challenge on Expert difficulty.
  • "Tie Your Mother Down" – Queen (1976): A masterclass in classic rock riffing. The six-button layout allows for more authentic Brian May-style chord movements.
  • "Won’t Get Fooled Again" – The Who (1971): A long, epic journey of a song. While the synth section can be a break for the hands, the explosive guitar entries are legendary.

The Jephson Hangout (Multi-Venue)

This band appears across both festivals, bridging the gap between various styles of alternative and indie rock.

  • "Demons" – Imagine Dragons (2012): A slower-paced track that focuses on sustain and atmospheric notes.
  • "Counting Stars" – OneRepublic (2013): Features a catchy, rhythmic acoustic-style riff that transitions into a full band sound.
  • "When You Were Young" – The Killers (2006): A returning classic to the series, this version feels fresh thanks to the new controller layout.
  • "Girls" – The 1975 (2013): Funk-inspired clean guitar lines that require a light touch and precise timing.
  • "Grounds for Divorce" – Elbow (2008): A heavy, stomping riff that is one of the most memorable "heavy" moments in the indie set.
  • "Lazaretto" – Jack White (2014): Known for its eccentric solo and sharp riffs, this is a highlight for anyone who loves technical play.

The 2026 Perspective: Is the List Enough?

When Guitar Hero Live launched, the 42 songs on the disc were intended only as the "tutorial" for the massive GHTV library. Today, however, these 42 songs are the entire game. For modern players, this list represents a snapshot of early-to-mid 2010s music culture, with a few classic nods.

While the loss of GHTV’s 500+ songs is significant, the 42 tracks included on the disc were selected specifically for their "Live" FMV performances. Each song has a unique crowd reaction—if you play well, the crowd cheers and the band smiles; play poorly, and the screen blurs as the audience turns on you. This immersive element makes the limited music list feel more substantial than it appears on paper.

Understanding the Six-Button Charting

The reason this music list feels different from previous Guitar Hero games is the "GH Live" controller. Instead of a single row of five colored buttons, you have two rows (Black and White).

  1. Lower Difficulty (Basic/Casual): Primarily uses one row, making it easier for new players to grasp the rhythm without moving their hand.
  2. Middle Difficulty (Regular/Advanced): Introduces switching between rows and simple "barre chords" (pressing both the black and white button at the same fret).
  3. Expert Difficulty: Utilizes complex shapes where you might press a white button on fret 1 and a black button on fret 2.

Because the list of 42 songs had to work perfectly with this new system, the charting is generally higher quality than what was found on the streaming GHTV service. Every hammer-on and pull-off was meticulously placed to ensure the 6-button controller felt like a natural evolution of the plastic guitar.

Final Thoughts on the Guitar Hero Live Catalog

While we no longer have access to the weekly updates and hundreds of tracks from the past, the core Guitar Hero Live music list remains a solid collection for a weekend session. From the classic rock of The Rolling Stones to the modern indie of The 1975, the game offers a varied enough palette to keep the party going. If you own the disc, these 42 songs are yours forever, providing a nostalgic trip back to a unique era of rhythm gaming.