[Graduation Live & Farewell Concert] Graduation Songs You’ll Want to Play with Your Band [2026]
For students in bands, many of you probably perform live around graduation time—at events like graduation thank-you parties, graduation live shows, or farewell gigs for departing members.
Of course, it’s great to play those memorable songs you performed many times while in school.
But since it’s a special occasion, a lot of you might be thinking about playing songs that fit the graduation theme!
Still, it’s not always easy to come up with graduation-themed songs…
So in this article, we’ll introduce plenty of popular graduation songs that are perfect for band performances.
We’ve selected not only band songs, but also singer-songwriter tracks that would work well with a band setup, so feel free to use this as a reference for choosing your setlist.
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[Graduation Live / Farewell Party] Graduation Songs You Want to Play with a Band [2026] (41–50)
Blue SpringRADWIMPS
It’s a coming-of-age song that, just like the title suggests, is packed with heartfelt messages for friends you spent time with.
It’s a track by the rock band RADWIMPS, known for hits like “Zenzenzense,” and it was included on their debut album released in 2003.
They say the song was written when they were in high school, and you can definitely feel that youthful energy in the overall vibe.
Simple is best—the punk rock sound should be easy to play even for beginners.
Perform it with all your heart!
[Graduation Live / Farewell Party] Graduation Songs You Want to Play with Your Band [2026] (51–60)
Song of the ChickHalf time Old
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.
forget-me-notSplit BoB
Split BoB is a next-generation girls’ rock band from Aichi Prefecture.
When they released this song, all the members were actually in their senior year of high school.
It’s a genuine graduation song created by high schoolers.
The memories from our school days are something wonderful that we can never forget, no matter how much time passes.
This song is about that.
Youth DiaryRyukku to soine gohan
When it comes to rock numbers that capture the whirlwind of youth, “Seishun Nikki” (Youth Diary) stands out.
Created by the rock band Ryoku to Soiné Gohan, known for songs about life and love that resonate with young people, it features Yuu Matsumoto’s gentle, conversational vocals over a driving band sound—truly memorable.
It’s a song that lets you convey your feelings to the friends and partners who shared your school days.
Perfect for closing a graduation live show, a farewell party, or even as an encore.
How about playing some rock that unites the hearts of all the graduates?
JourneyFuji Kaze
This is a song by Fujii Kaze released in 2021.
Since it was a TV drama’s theme song, many of you may remember hearing it.
Its stylish music and lyrics have a strangely uplifting effect.
The way the song settles into your body makes it fun to practice.
“Hard times will end, we still have a future ahead, and a day will come when we’ll find it all nostalgic”—Fujii Kaze’s ability to sing such simple lyrics with a pop feel is truly impressive! It’s a great pick for those who think, “I’m not good with somber moods—I want our thank-you party to have a fun vibe.”
Cherry Blossom Rainabsorb
This was the major-label debut single by the acoustic band absorb, who, despite debuting in 2008, disbanded after a short span of just two years.
Featuring Hatsune Miku, the song gained overwhelming support especially online and among younger generations, inspiring the launch of the “Sakura no Ame Project” to further develop the piece.
Its lyrics, which portray unchanging friendship even when people are separated, soothe the hearts of students anxious about graduation.
With its beautiful melody and the resonant sound of acoustic guitar, it’s a song that will add color to any graduation live performance.
Sparkle sparkle!Kishidan
Claiming the fusion of punk rock and yankee style as “Yank Rock,” Kishidan is a six-member rock band known for their striking look—pompadours and school uniforms—and catchy songs.
This is their fifth single overall.
As billed, it’s a graduation song that brightly calls for graduation from school and a dull everyday life, delivering an uplifting message over a high-speed rock sound that’s irresistibly catchy.
Graduates who didn’t really enjoy their school days may find themselves relating to the lyrics about finally moving on to the next stage.
It’s a rock tune perfect for hyping up a graduation live show, recommended for students who want to welcome graduation in a 100% celebratory mood.