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

CHERRY BLOSSOME10-FEET

Kyoto Daisakusen 2011 CHERRY BLOSSOM

If I had to pick one 10-FEET song that’s perfect for graduation, it would be this one! Although it’s a track from their first album “springman,” released in 2002, it’s still a staple often played live, so many of you might already know it.

The lyrics carry a message like a truth of life: when something ends, something new begins.

It’s sure to give you the strength to keep pushing forward as you graduate and step into a new environment.

And if you perform it live, how about incorporating the towel-throwing bit that happens every year in the audience at Kyoto Daisakusen?

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Hane Keisuke

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GIVE ME FIVE!AKB48

[MV full] GIVE ME FIVE! / AKB48 [Official]

This is the 25th major single by AKB48, the idol group that has secured unwavering popularity in the J-POP scene since the 2000s.

It’s a “sakura song” that gained attention not only for being featured in multiple commercials, but also for the unique attempt of having each member play an instrument.

As suggested by the tagline, “Once we’ve cried our fill, let’s high-five!”, the lyrics celebrate both the sadness of parting at graduation and the joy of a new beginning, encouraging listeners to spend the end of their student days with a smile.

With its bright, driving sound, it’s a springtime track that’s perfect for energizing a graduation live performance.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Song of the ChickHalf time Old

Half time Old 'Hina no Uta' Music Video

A four-piece rock band based in Nagoya, Aichi, Half time Old released this track on their October 2020 mini-album CRISP YELLOW.

It’s a youthful punk number that races forward on an 8-beat drive, filled with a warmth that gives you a gentle push during the season of farewells.

The lyrics are memorable for their message that reassures you—“You’re not wrong”—even as you carry anxiety and loneliness about setting off on a new journey.

The music video is composed of cherished photos submitted by fans, designed to overlap with each listener’s own memories.

It’s a song that naturally sparks singalongs at shows, and if you raise your voices together at a graduation concert or a farewell party, it’s bound to become an unforgettable moment.

More than just a tearjerker, it’s a pep song that gives you the strength to step forward with a smile.

Before spring endsHalo at yojōhan

Halo at Four-and-a-Half Tatami Mats “Before Spring Ends” (Official Music Video)

This is a song by Halo at Yojohan, a four-piece rock band from Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, included on their second mini-album “innocentpia,” released in March 2016.

It was also selected as the ending theme for Kansai TV’s “Mujack” in April 2016.

As the title suggests, the track portrays the sense of urgency before spring comes to an end and the desperate feeling of not wanting to let something precious slip away, carried by a driving, exhilarating band sound.

Shota Watarai’s lyrics build scenes and inner images rather than relying on direct wording, evoking each listener’s own memories and emotions.

It’s a number we especially recommend performing for those facing the milestone of graduation who have things they want to say before their time with friends ends.

With its robust guitar rock sound, the sense of unity when playing it as a band is exceptional.

youth↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓

Youth / THE HIGH-LOWS

THE HIGH-LOWS’ songs are always straightforward, and every single one is amazing! Among their punk rock tracks, the one that will make you tear up if you let your guard down is Seishun (Youth).

It’s a song that sings, raw and unvarnished, about those uncool moments from back in the day.

Keep punk rock in your heart—play with feeling, even if you’re clumsy or uncool!

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Murakami Shinpei

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Words of FarewellFLOW

FLOW – Farewell Words (Okuru Kotoba) Sub Esp

FLOW made headlines by covering a classic by Kaientai with a modern rock sound.

This one is definitely perfect for graduation season! The lyrics, originally from a folk song and rich in flavor, take on a whole new feel when sung over this fast tempo—it’s really cool!

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Murakami Shinpei

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proofflumpool

flumpool “Proof” Music Video (Full Chorus ver.)

If you want to perform a touching, mellow ballad with your band, this song is highly recommended! Its clear, refreshing vocals and beautiful accompaniment make it especially appealing.

It’s a classic that many students love so much it’s often chosen for graduation ceremonies.

In the original, strings and piano add an even more moving touch, but when performing it with a band, it’s great to arrange it without strings and just add a keyboard.

It could also be nice to have everyone there join in a chorus over the band’s performance.

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Hane Keisuke

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