[Youth Anthems] A curated selection of popular and latest songs to hype up your school cultural festival

The calling voiceNEW!Vaundy

Call (NHK General “Vaundy 18 Festival” Theme Song) / Vaundy: Music Video

Singer-songwriter Vaundy, who works across songwriting, composing, arranging, and even video direction.

Released digitally in December 2025, this piece was written as the theme song for NHK’s project “18 Festival.” Created around the theme of the genuine passion of teenagers gathered from across Japan, it drew attention on the program for a collaboration with 1,000 participants.

Depicting the feelings of stepping out from a closed personal space into the world, it captivates with a choral sense of scale and a driving melody.

As a challenging, high-difficulty song, it’s an outstanding anthem for cultural and school festivals—perfect as a choral piece to rehearse seriously with friends and sing together.

Double Double FIGHT!NEW!CANDY TUNE

[MV] CANDY TUNE “Bai Bai FIGHT!”

It’s a pop, energetic cheer song that gives you positive power to get back up again and again.

Sung by CANDY TUNE, an idol group from ASOBISYSTEM, this track resonates with its themes of courage to face hardships, the importance of self-love, and the inner conflict of wavering between ideals and reality.

Its powerful message, carried by an up-tempo beat, naturally brings a smile to listeners’ faces.

Released in April 2024, it gained such a response—sparked by its hit status on social media—that it was even performed on a major year-end music program.

With its catchy sound and easy-to-copy choreography, it’s a perfect choice for a group dance performance at school festivals and cultural festivals.

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.

If you laugh at the skyNEW!wacci

wacci “If You Laugh at the Sky” Music Video

Wacci is known for their warm, life-affirming music.

Released as a digital-only single in July 2018, this song was later included on the album “Gunjō Refrain” and serves as a cheer song.

Starting in August 2019, it was also selected as the first athlete support song within a Fuji TV program.

The lyrics carry a powerful message that affirms the very process of earnest effort and encourages looking forward regardless of the outcome.

Evoking the image of looking up at the sky and smiling precisely because you know the sting of frustration, the song gently supports students pouring their sweat into club activities, entrance exams, and other goals.

It’s a moving track perfect for moments when you want to unite at a school or cultural festival, or when you feel you might come to a brief stop.

1000 daysNEW!nozomi

Noashi (noa) – 1000 Days [Official Music Video]

This song overflows with Noshishi’s charm, centered on the theme of the limited time of high school life.

Released in April 2025 as a digital-only single, it was written specifically as the tie-in track for MATCH’s new web commercial.

Riding on a driving, fast-paced guitar rock sound, it resounds with a passionate melody unique to her all-self-produced style.

Infused with the delicate emotions of adolescence and hope for the future, the track is perfect for performances at school festivals and cultural festivals.

It’s a power song that stands by students who want to cherish every moment of their youth and takes any event to the next level.

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!

CHARMNEW!WANIMA

WANIMA「CHARM」（OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

A single filled with a warm message that gives a gentle push to those moving forward.

Created by WANIMA, a rock band from Kumamoto Prefecture, this track captivates with its exhilarating, fast-paced beat and pleasant melody.

It carries a warmth that stands by those who take on challenges, giving you courage every time you listen.

Included on the single “Gotta Go!!,” released in May 2017, it was also chosen as the commercial song for Morinaga’s “Juken ni in Jelly” starting in November of the same year.

Its sound, which supports students striving toward new goals, is perfect as background music for a school festival.

It’s an energetic pop-punk tune that makes everyone want to sing along, so it’s also recommended for the grand finale of the stage!