[Graduation Live & Farewell Concert] Graduation Songs You’ll Want to Play with Your Band [2026]

Future airplaneakairo no gurittā

Red Glitter “Future Airplane” (Official Music Video)

A beloved graduation song that gently weaves together memories of high school—school routes, chimes, hallways, and the everyday moments with friends—this is the title track of Akairo no Glitter’s debut single.

Released in March 2015, the song was written based on vocalist Ryosuke Sato’s own experiences, and its lyrics, which hold both the ache of not being able to return to the past and the resolve to step forward into the future, resonate deeply.

Its catchy, solid melody powerfully propels the emotions, making it unforgettable after just one listen.

The fact that the music video and performance scenes were filmed at the members’ alma mater also lends a vivid sense of lived-in youth.

It’s a guitar rock number that warmly brightens any graduation live performance—recommended not only for students facing graduation, but for anyone experiencing a farewell with cherished friends.

Amazing Gracego!go!vanillas

go!go!vanillas – “Amazing Race” Music Video

A song heralding go! go! vanillas’ fresh start, created in celebration of their bassist’s return after suffering serious injuries in a traffic accident at the end of 2018 and undergoing about 306 days of rehabilitation.

Released as a single in 2020, it was also used as the opening theme for TBS’s CDTV Saturday.

The gratitude and joy of being able to make music as a foursome again are expressed through a sound that blends rock ’n’ roll drive with country and Eastern flavors.

Its universal message of overcoming hardship and setting off once more is sure to resonate with graduates who have run the long race of student life.

It’s a number that looks back on the days spent with friends while giving you a push to step onto a new path.

Terminal04 Limited Sazabys

04 Limited Sazabys「Terminal」(Official Music Video)

A fast-paced rock number by 04 Limited Sazabys, perfect for listening to during the spring season of farewells.

It’s included on their major-label debut album “CAVU,” released in April 2015, which reached No.

6 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart.

While GEN’s high-pitched vocals accentuate the sense of poignancy, the brisk sound pushes your emotions forward.

The lyrics depict confronting self-loathing and loneliness while choosing not to close off the future and continuing to move ahead.

It’s ideal for graduation season because it gives you the courage to take the next step without sinking completely into sadness.

It’s the kind of song that makes you want to send someone off with a smile even through tears; perform it at a graduation live show or a farewell party, and it’s sure to fill the venue with passionate emotion.

Forget-me-notMarushii

Marcy – Forget-me-not (Official Music Video)

A spring song by Marcy that captures the bittersweet sorrow of farewells that come with the season’s arrival, alongside the complex desire to cheer on a loved one’s future.

Released in March 2021, the track features sound producer Akimitsu Homma and stands out with its crystal-clear band sound and dramatic arrangement.

It also drew significant attention for its lyrics at the time of release, reaching No.

1 on major lyrics sites’ popularity rankings.

The song delicately portrays the feelings of a protagonist seeing off a lover who is setting out to chase their dreams—a finely crafted love song that holds both the loneliness of growing apart and the urge to give a supportive push.

It’s a perfect piece to perform for couples facing long-distance after graduation, or for anyone in the position of encouraging someone dear as they take on a new challenge.

Philosophy[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Philosophy (MV)

Introducing a special song born from NHK’s program project “18-sai.” Released by [Alexandros] in January 2020, this track was created to perform together with 1,000 youths aged 17 to 19.

Based on videos submitted under the theme of “your own kind of cool,” Yohei Kawakami wrote and composed the piece, building an overwhelming sense of momentum across its approximately six-minute length.

The phrases are designed with choral parts and call-and-response in mind, clearly made for everyone to raise their voices together at a live show.

The original version was first included on the best-of album “Where’s My History?” released in March 2021, allowing listeners to enjoy a chorus arrangement that differs from the streaming version.

Perfect for a graduation live performance, this work conveys the importance of continually updating your personal values at a major life milestone.

Sing it together with the audience, and it’s sure to become an unforgettable stage.

bookmarkkuriipuhaipe

CreepHyp - “Bookmark” (MUSIC VIDEO)

This song was created as the campaign song for the FM802 and TSUTAYA collaboration project “FM802 × TSUTAYA ACCESS!”.

While the original version features an array of renowned musicians, the one I’m introducing here is the version by CreepHyp alone.

The lyrics describe realizing how precious everyday life used to be after your circumstances have changed.

It’s guitar rock that’s perfect for spring, when emotions run high.

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Araki Jakkan

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Thank youSUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER 'Arigatou' MV (Drama ver.)

SUPER BEAVER is a rock band renowned for the power of their lyrics.

This song—one of their signature tracks and a staple at their live shows—is, just as the title suggests, the perfect piece to play when you want to express your gratitude.

It’s a song that speaks on your behalf to the important people you’ve met throughout your school years—close friends, juniors, a significant other, and everyone around you.

And the appeal of this track isn’t just in its beautiful lyrics; the music itself is incredibly cool, too! From the chord progression to the way the song unfolds, the more you listen, the more you’ll find yourself drawn into it.

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Hane Keisuke

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