The 2020s Guitar
2020–2029
The 2020s are still being written, but guitar is louder than ever. Legacy bands are releasing some of their best work in decades, and a new wave of players is pushing the instrument in fresh directions. Streaming and social media have made guitar culture more global and connected.
Metallica, AC/DC, Iron Maiden and Guns N' Roses are still creating new music. At the same time, viral guitar moments on TikTok and YouTube are introducing the instrument to millions of new players.
Essential Songs from The 2020s
AC/DC 3
The Beatles 1
Justin Bieber 3
Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage 1
Benson Boone 1
Cecilia Castleman 1
Miley Cyrus 1
Coffin Dance 1
Green Day 1
Foo Fighters 2
Greta Van Fleet 1
Pink Floyd 1
Lady Gaga 1
Ghost 7
David Gilmour 2
Helloween 1
Ed Sheeran & Elton John 1
The Kid LAROI 1
Iron Maiden 4
Daniel Pemberton / Brian May 1
Metallica 10
- 1 72 Seasons TAB 2023
- 2 Blackened 2020 LESSON 2020
- 3 If Darkness Had a Son LESSON 2023
- 4 Inamorata TAB 2023
- 5 Lux Æterna LESSON 2023
- 6 Maiden And The Monster TAB 2023
- 7 Screaming Suicide TAB 2023
- 8 Sleepwalk My Life Away TAB 2023
- 9 Too Far Gone? TAB 2023
- 10 You Must Burn! TAB 2023
Red Hot Chili Peppers 1
Stephen Sanchez 1
Ed Sheeran 15
- 1 2step ACOUSTIC 2021
- 2 Azizam ACOUSTIC 2025
- 3 Bad Habits COVER 2022
- 4 Blow LESSON 2024
- 5 Boat ACOUSTIC 2023
- 6 Celestial ACOUSTIC 2022
- 7 Eyes Closed ACOUSTIC 2022
- 8 Joker And The Queen ACOUSTIC 2021
- 9 Old Phone ACOUSTIC 2025
- 10 Overpass Graffiti ACOUSTIC 2023
- 11 Queen ACOUSTIC 2024
- 12 Shivers ACOUSTIC 2020
- 13 The Joker And The Queen ACOUSTIC 2021
- 14 Tides ACOUSTIC 2023
- 15 Visiting Hours ACOUSTIC 2022
Slash 2
Harry Styles 1
Teddy Swims 1
Traditional 3
Guitar in the 2020s (So Far)
Metallica returned with "72 Seasons" in 2023, proving the biggest metal band in history still has plenty to say. AC/DC released "Power Up" in 2020 as a tribute to Malcolm Young, packed with classic hard rock riffs. Iron Maiden continued their progressive epic phase with "Senjutsu."
The decade has also seen a remarkable guitar renaissance. Short-form video platforms turned riff clips into viral content. More people are picking up guitar than at any point since the 90s. And AI-powered tools (like GuitarZone's own practice toolbar) are making it easier than ever to learn at your own pace.
What's Next for Guitar?
The 2020s are proving that the electric guitar adapts to every era. Whether it's plugged into a vintage Marshall or processed through a neural amp modeler, the instrument remains the most expressive tool in popular music. Pick up your guitar and be part of what comes next.
Explore earlier eras: the 80s, the 90s, the 2010s. Or browse by genre to find your sound.