Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[2026] Fire it up! A roundup of recommended Western songs to hype up your school culture festivals

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.

Are you struggling to choose songs that will send the energy on your school festival stage or at your event soaring to the max?If you want to hype up the crowd with BGM or a dance performance, Western hits that transcend language barriers and make everyone move intuitively are perfect.We’ve gathered a wide range—from trending tracks blowing up on TikTok to classic anthems everyone’s heard at least once.Here are some hype-worthy Western songs that will make you want to jump in unison with your classmates and the audience!You’re sure to find the perfect music to vividly color a page of your youth.

[2026] Get Them Hyped! A Curated List of Western Songs That Will Energize Culture and School Festivals (101–110)

Don’t Start NowDua Lipa

Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now (Official Music Video)

Don't Start NowDua Lipa

Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Start Now” radiates the beauty and strength of a powerful woman.

It’s perfect as a dance BGM, of course, but I think it also sounds incredibly cool with a live band.

Especially for all the bassists out there—this is your moment! From crafting your tone to building the groove, it’s packed with all the best bits for bass players.

It’s a tasty number that can even make collaborations happen across club boundaries—live performance meets dance.

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HoudiniDua Lipa

Dua Lipa – Houdini (Official Music Video)

HoudiniDua Lipa

This sensual, glossy-vocal track by UK artist Dua Lipa fuses an up-tempo beat reminiscent of 1970s disco.

Released in November 2023, it skillfully weaves experimental neo-psychedelia and electronica to craft a distinctive soundscape.

It also offers a glimpse of a new side of Dua Lipa, who appeared in the film Barbie and made her presence felt on its soundtrack.

Perfect for a school festival, the song combines a dance-inducing groove with a stylish vibe—ideal not just as background music for food stalls, but also as a standout choice for dance performances.

Its appeal is further proven by a record of 17 consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the U.S.

Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart.

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IllusioDua Lipa

Dua Lipa – Illusion (Official Music Video)

IllusioDua Lipa

A track by British singer Dua Lipa, who’s been gaining attention for arrangements inspired by nu-disco.

This song, from her album Radical Optimism, delivers a danceable and catchy sound.

The lyrics reflect lessons learned from past relationships and express the strength to protect oneself.

I think it’s a perfect number to use at school festivals or cultural events.

While it has a cool vibe, its groove is top-notch—be sure to check it out!

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Love AgainDua Lipa

Dua Lipa – Love Again (Official Music Video)

Love AgainDua Lipa

Dua Lipa, a British female singer admired and respected by women around the world, is known for many house-inspired tracks.

While she reigns as a staple in the dance music scene, her voice has a low, husky tone, creating a striking contrast with her very cool vocal style.

Her hit song “Love Again” is one of her more orthodox dance numbers, crafted with a beat that anyone can easily groove to.

I think it’s perfect as background music for a school festival, so why not give it a try?

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Body MovingEliza Rose, Calvin Harris

Eliza Rose, Calvin Harris – Body Moving (Official Video)

Body MovingEliza Rose, Calvin Harris

The ultimate collaboration between two leading UK artists, Eliza Rose and Calvin Harris, has arrived: “Body Moving.” It’s a house track that evokes ’80s club and disco music, finished with a modern, stylish vibe.

It’s guaranteed to get the crowd going at school or cultural festivals! Centered on the joy of giving yourself over to the rhythm and moving your body, it’s perfect for moments when you want to go all out on the dance floor.

It’s also a great fit for student-heavy events, so be sure to check it out!

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[2026] Get the Crowd Hyped! A Curated List of Western Songs to Amp Up Your School Culture Festival (111–120)

Rap GodEminem

Eminem – Rap God (Explicit)

Rap GodEminem

Eminem’s masterpiece, “Rap God.” Released in 2013, this track holds a Guinness World Record as the hit song with the most words.

Of course, it’s not just crammed with words—every line is tightly connected, and the rhymes are on a high level.

Hip-hop culture has been taking root in Japan recently, so I think it would really hype up a school festival or cultural festival if you play it! Definitely check it out.

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abcdefuGAYLE

GAYLE – abcdefu (Official Music Video)

abcdefuGAYLE

GAYLE is a female singer-songwriter who has gained popularity with a music style centered on pop rock and power pop.

Her signature track “abcdefu” became a viral hit on platforms like TikTok and Spotify in 2021.

If you’re a student, chances are you’ve heard this song at least once.

The track packs a powerful diss aimed at an ex-boyfriend.

That aspect resonates strongly with students, so consider playing it at your school festival.

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