[Uplifting Songs] A curated selection of popular and latest tracks to energize your school cultural festivals!

Kimisidai TrainONE OK ROCK

Kimisidai Train

ONE OK ROCK is a four-piece rock band that now represents Japan on the global stage, actively performing overseas.

“Kimisidai Ressha,” which closes their fifth album Zankyo Reference, is an energizing song whose message—live fully in the present, not in the past or future—stirs the heart.

Every part needs to be played with crisp articulation, or the ensemble won’t lock in, so if you’re performing it as a band at a school or culture festival, make sure to practice closely together.

With its quintessentially rock melodies and sound that will lift your spirits, it’s a perfect rock tune for a culture festival.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Live in the present.Saucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Live in the present.” Music Video

Saucy Dog’s “Live in the Present” portrays the bonds between companions who spur each other on.

Released in 2022 as their 15th digital single, it was written as the theme song for the 101st All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.

Set to a powerful rock sound, it conveys the strength to confidently insist that “what we’ve been doing isn’t wrong.” With a minimal band setup of guitar/vocals, bass, and drums, it’s also a great pick for setlists at school culture festivals or campus events.

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Hamada Takuya

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AgainWANIMA

WANIMA “Again” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

WANIMA’s songs are captivating with lyrics that give you a push from behind! A lot of people probably listen to them when club activities or studying get tough.

“Again” is a cheer song packed with WANIMA’s signature vibe, so it’s sure to hype up the crowd if you play it at a school or culture festival.

Performing it live with a band is also highly recommended!

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Saitō Ayumu

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PLAYERSYOASOBI

PLAYERS

An uplifting anthem woven from passionate lyrics and a refreshing melody! Created by YOASOBI, this ambitious work commemorates the 30th anniversary of PlayStation®.

It brilliantly captures those moments when the emotions and memories gained through gaming encourage the real you and give you a gentle push forward.

With powerful lyrics that inspire hope for the future and the courage to take on new challenges, paired with a catchy chorus that truly resonates, it leaves a lasting impression.

Released in March 2025, the song also drew attention as the tie-in track for the special PlayStation® 30th anniversary commercial.

Perfect not only for opening scenes at school festivals and cultural events, but also as a motivational song for friends about to take a new step.

When everyone lifts their voices together, it’s a wonderful track that can unite the entire venue as one.

ultramarineYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Gunjou” Official Music Video

A signature work by YOASOBI that vividly expresses young people’s passion and pursuit of dreams through striking lyrics.

Released in September 2020, the song gained broad recognition after being featured in Bourbon’s “Alfort Mini Chocolate” commercial.

In 2021, it was also selected as the theme song for Nippon TV’s “Dance ONE Project ’21,” adding flair to high school students’ dance performances.

Evoking the image of blue light, the piece impressively portrays the challenges of self-expression and creativity, making it perfect for school sports-day entrance marches and dance performances.

It’s a song that lets everyone share in the unique sense of unity of a sports festival and the courage to take the first step toward their dreams.

FRIENDS!!!imase

【imase】FRIENDS!!!（MV）

This is a heartwarming song themed around friendship, whose gentle melody seeps into the soul.

Imase’s soft vocals tenderly capture the subtle distance and mutual changes felt when reconnecting with an old friend.

It conveys the importance of a friendship that, even as we grow, can return to the carefree bond of the past, and the enduring connection that doesn’t fade with time.

Released in February 2025 for the collaborative project “Everyone’s Concert” by the live communication app Pococha and Yamaha Corporation, the piece features a striking sound highlighted by Shingo Kubota’s arrangement.

Recommended as a youthful, uplifting track perfect for memorable moments like school festivals or stage performances, it’s a song that unites friends and lifts the mood when shared together.

paper airplanesuis from Yorushika × Evan Call

suis from Yorushika × Evan Call “Paper Airplane” [Theme song for the anime ‘Dragonite and the Mailman’]

A heartwarming tale of friendship woven from grand orchestration and crystal-clear vocals.

This work, a collaboration between YORUSHIKA’s suis and Evan Call, beautifully portrays the wish to entrust precious feelings to a letter and deliver them to someone dear.

The melody builds gradually from a gentle introduction, like the climax of a film.

Chosen as the theme song for the animated feature “Kairyu and the Postman,” released in February 2025, it further elevates the story’s emotional impact.

It’s a song you’ll want to hum with friends as you prepare for a school cultural festival.

It will help create moments when everyone connects heart to heart, while cherishing the wonders of friendship and the memories you hold dear.