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

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.

ChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Chessboard [Official Video]

A four-member piano pop band dominating the J-pop scene with an overwhelming pop sensibility that makes even complex arrangements feel effortless, Official HIGE DANDism.

Released in September 2023 as a double A-side with “Nichijou,” this track on their sixth single was written as the required piece for the junior high school division of the 90th NHK National School Music Competition.

The lyrics liken life to the two colors of a chessboard, portraying those who step forward before rules or roles are set, and they carry the courage to take your own first step in a world without definitive answers.

It was also broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta and performed at the year-end Kohaku Uta Gassen.

It’s the perfect song for cheering on friends embarking on a new chapter—or for celebrating your own new beginning.

With a relaxed beat that expands into a grand sound, it’s sure to deliver a moving highlight for any graduation live performance.

Cherry tree-lined roadWhiteberry

WHITEBERRY Sakura Namiki Michi – Cherry Blossom Tree-Lined Road

If you’re looking for a track that captures both the warmth of spring and a touch of bittersweet feeling, check out the single WHITEBERRY released in April 2001.

It was their first single with both lyrics and music written by the band members themselves, imprinting the unfiltered sensibilities of their teenage years directly into the sound.

Featured in a commercial for Asahi Soft Drinks’ Mitsuya Cider, the song peaked at No.

16 on the Oricon weekly chart and is also included on the album “Chameleon.” The lyrics—perfect for the milestone of graduation—evoke the exhilaration of stepping into a new place as you walk down cherry blossom-lined streets, layered with a tender affection for the memories you carry in your heart.

Its brisk band sound and refreshing melody leave a poignant afterglow that tightens your chest once the song ends.

Highly recommended if you want to wrap up a graduation live set on a bright yet subtly wistful note.

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.

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.

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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