Hype it up! Western songs to rock your school festival
At school festivals and cultural festivals, there are regional differences, but many schools play background music.
Of course, you can play Japanese songs, but some might feel that Western music is better since the lyrics are less distracting.
So this time, we’ve selected Western songs that can liven up a school or cultural festival!
From timeless classics to the latest hits, we’ve picked a wide range.
We’ve also chosen some stylish tracks, so you should find songs that fit even a calm, café-style booth.
Be sure to check them out.
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Hype It Up! Western Songs That Light Up School Culture Festivals (71–80)
High HopesPanic! At The Disco
A quintessential pop-rock anthem brimming with dreams and hope.
It celebrates the importance of maintaining high ambitions to achieve success, powerfully pushing listeners forward.
This track by America’s Panic! At The Disco, from their June 2018 album “Pray for the Wicked,” reached No.
4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It has since been featured across various media, including the Stanley Cup and Honda Accord commercials.
Its grand sound—blending commanding vocals with a horn section—will shine brilliantly on main stages at school festivals and cultural events.
It’s also the perfect song to pump yourself up before a sports match or an important presentation.
22Taylor Swift
An American pop anthem by Taylor Swift overflowing with the exhilaration of youth.
This work, which breezily portrays the anxieties and hopes of coming of age and the importance of friendship, was released as a single from her fourth album, Red, in March 2013.
Produced by Max Martin and Shellback, it features an upbeat sound that blends bubblegum pop and dance-pop.
It peaked at No.
20 on the U.S.
Billboard Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum.
Perfect as background music for school festivals and cultural festivals—whether at concession stands or on dance stages—this versatile track brims with youth and energy and is sure to instantly liven up any venue.
Walk This WayAerosmith
How about this song that has been used for many years as the ending theme of the TV program “Odoru Sanma Goten”? Its instantly recognizable, catchy riff and outstanding popularity make it perfect for a school festival.
It’s recommended not only for live performance but also as background music.
All By MyselfAlok, Sigala, Ellie Goulding
“All By Myself” by Brazilian DJ Alok and British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding.
If you’re looking for a stylish vibe, this modern-sounding dance tune is a great pick.
It’s especially characterized by its shimmering synths in the intro, which would pair perfectly with a fresh, breezy dance style.
Overall, it follows a classic EDM structure that effectively uses a gradual build-up, making it easier to plan your choreography—another strong point!
I Feel Like DancingJason Mraz
With its straightforward title, “I Feel Like Dancing,” this song is perfect for school-festival dance performances.
Written by American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, the number is irresistibly catchy—the chorus simply repeats the title over and over, and after just one listen it gets stuck in your head.
It could be fun to arrange it so the audience watching the dance can sing along with that repeated part, too! Getting everyone to sing together while you dance would make a great memory for the school festival.
TQGKAROL G, Shakira
Karol G is a singer-songwriter from Colombia.
Her collaboration with fellow countrywoman Shakira, “TQG,” is perfect for anyone looking for a slightly unconventional dance track.
By the way, the title is an abbreviation of “Te Quedó Grande,” which means “you were too much to handle.” As that suggests, the song is sung entirely in Spanish.
Especially for a school festival where the dance club performs, the distinctive sound of Spanish in this track could help set your routine apart from other schools’ song choices.
Be sure to consider it!
Oh My GodAdele
Adele’s hit song “Oh My God.” You there, thinking, “Wait, does Adele even have hype, upbeat tracks?” It’s true that Adele is known for emotional songs about heartbreak, but she’s actually had a reputation for catchy, energetic numbers ever since her debut.
This track is one of her latest, and while it carries a mature, moody vibe overall, it’s crafted with a lively, groovy melody.
Since Adele’s voice is so distinctive, I think it would really get the crowd going if you play it at a school festival.
