[2026] For cherished memories: A roundup of hype cheer songs for cultural and school festivals

OutlineNEW!imase

[imase] Outline (MV)

This is a track whose sound dramatically portrays the emotion of sports and the struggles of youth, resonating deeply in your heart.

The sing-along-inviting chorus and sweeping strings give a powerful push to those running toward their dreams.

It’s a song by imase, released as a single in October 2024.

It was chosen as the support song for the 103rd All Japan High School Soccer Tournament held the same year, drawing significant attention.

Created after the release of the acclaimed album “Bonsai,” it’s a work with a grand sense of scale.

It’s the perfect number to close out a school culture festival or campus festival as the finale BGM, or for a chorus where the whole class unites their voices.

This piece is sure to make the irreplaceable memories you’ve created together burn even brighter.

NonfictionsNEW!Da-iCE

Da-iCE / “Nonfictions” Music Video

Da-iCE, who have won popularity with their overwhelming vocal prowess and sharp performances.

It was announced that this song has been chosen as the summer High School Baseball cheer song and the theme for Nettou Koshien in May 2025, and its driving, dramatic sound leaves a strong impression.

Portraying an irreplaceable coming-of-age drama where people clash and grow, this piece is likely to resonate with the real-life worries of student life.

Its bittersweet melody further highlights those fleeting moments of brilliance.

Since sheet music for brass band is also available, it’s a highly recommended number for wind ensemble performances at school cultural festivals and for stage-coloring performance BGM!

HeroNEW!DISH//

DISH// – HERO [Lyric Video]

An emotional pop-rock song that portrays a down-to-earth figure who, despite their weaknesses, tries to stand up for someone else.

The lyrics by Takumi Kitamura carry a heartfelt message of compassion for others.

Included as the first track on DISH//’s album “aRange,” released in April 2026, it was also selected as the theme song for TV Tokyo’s Drama 9 series “Detective, Back to Square One,” which began airing the same month.

It’s perfect for a school culture festival or campus festival stage where you overcome failures and regrets by joining forces with friends! The dramatic band sound will give you a push forward and make those irreplaceable, memorable moments even more moving.

Hide-and-seekNEW!AliA

AliA / Hide-and-Seek [Official Music Video]

A rock number whose melody, brimming with overwhelming intensity and urgency, captivates the ear.

It’s the lead track from AliA’s February 2019 album “AliVe,” and later appeared on their acclaimed classic “Me,” serving as a calling card for the band.

Though it had no official tie-in, it spread explosively through online videos.

The driving band sound intertwines with the beautifully melancholic timbre of the violin, expressing youthful impatience and a thirst for self-affirmation.

With vocals that powerfully stir the emotions, this song is sure to ignite the crowd if performed on a school festival stage.

It will help create an unforgettable scene of youth.

One step forwardNEW!INFINITY16 Welcomez WARSAN

INFINITY16 Welcomez WARSAN / Step Forward

It’s a cheer song that gives you the courage to keep moving forward, even when you feel like stopping.

INFINITY16, a leading force in Japan’s reggae scene, invited singer WARSAN as a featured artist for this track, which was released in January 2023.

Its powerful beat and straightforward message overlap to evoke the energy of youth.

The song also drew attention when it was adopted as the school anthem of Wakayama Nanryo High School in 2024.

Link arms with your friends and sing it on stage at a school culture festival, and your heart is sure to swell.

It will strongly push students forward as they hit walls or take on new challenges.

Raise your voices together and create irreplaceable memories.

Blue NoteNEW!M!LK

M!LK – Aono Oto (Official Music Video)

A track brimming with the fresh vibe of summer and the exhilaration of racing ahead with your friends! Its positive theme—that you can feel “seishun” (youth) again and again depending on your mindset—makes it perfect for cultural and school festivals where everyone moves toward a single goal, don’t you think? Released as a single in July 2025, it also made waves as the tie-in song for the body care brand Sea Breeze’s commercial featuring M!LK member Hayato Sano.

It became a major hit, selling over 180,000 copies in the same month.

The exhilarating melody of classic pop and the rich, layered choruses are perfect for shouting and jumping together.

Highly recommended for creating the best shared memories on dance or band performance stages!

Make up your mind!NEW!Sabasusutā

Sabasister – Make Up Your Mind! Music Video

“Make Up Your Mind!” by Saba Sister is a chest-thumping punk track that barrels forward with unstoppable energy.

It’s the title song from their March 2024 album “Make Up Your Mind!” and a powerful number that symbolizes their major-label debut.

While keeping the sharp-edged backbone of guitar rock, it carries an uplifting message that fires them up and gives a strong push to listeners as well.

The determination to keep moving forward—despite the anxiety and loneliness that come with trying something new—makes it a perfect fit for the run-up to a school festival the whole class builds together.

Put it on with your friends and draw the power you need to create the best memories.