Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

Hype it up! Western songs to rock your school festival

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 as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Active club DJkento
Active club DJ. With over five years on the front lines of the club scene, they freely cross over from dance music to US hip-hop and Japanese rap. Blending in their own edits with assured mixing, they craft a unique groove that captivates the floor.

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.

Get Them Hyped! Western Songs That Heat Up Cultural and School Festivals (131–140)

Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)The Offspring

The Offspring – Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)

Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)The Offspring

Speaking of melodic hardcore, The Offspring is the go-to.

There are plenty of Green Day fans too, but for a school festival, The Offspring is my recommendation! Their riffs are easy to learn and easy to listen to—that’s the key.

There are lots of call-and-response parts as well, so the audience can enjoy it together.

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Where Is My MindPixies

Pixies – Where is my mind

Where Is My MindPixies

The Pixies, often hailed as the pinnacle of indie rock.

It’s even said that thanks to this band, Nirvana became a global sensation.

If you want to fully showcase pure, student-driven rock, you can’t leave this song out.

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ReactThe Pussycat Dolls

The Pussycat Dolls – React

ReactThe Pussycat Dolls

The American vocal group, the Pussycat Dolls.

Since they began in 1995, they’ve released numerous songs and delivered captivating performances.

Their track “React” is truly packed with the appeal of both dance and fashion.

It has a rather mature vibe, making it a great choice for enhancing the atmosphere of a setting.

Performing a dance to this song could help you stand out from the crowd, giving off a distinct impression.

It might let you show a different side of yourself than usual.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Elephant StoneThe Stone Roses

The Stone Roses – “Elephant Stone”

Elephant StoneThe Stone Roses

The important band that bridged the gap between The Beatles and Oasis is The Stone Roses.

Compared to those bands, they didn’t come close in terms of sales.

However, in the UK, their popularity is arguably not far behind.

If you listen to this song, I think you’ll understand why—so it would be a good choice to perform at a school festival.

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Blinding LightsThe Weeknd

The Weeknd – Blinding Lights (Official Video)

Blinding LightsThe Weeknd

The Weeknd is an artist who has gained popularity for his distinctive musical style that evokes 1980s disco music and blue-eyed soul.

His track “Blinding Lights,” released in 2019, is known as one of his signature works.

Thanks in part to his success, genres like 1980s disco, blue-eyed soul, and R&B are becoming a global trend.

Why not use this song at your school festival and get ahead of the curve?

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My GenerationThe Who

The Who – My Generation

My GenerationThe Who

If you’re struggling to choose songs for a school festival live performance, I think you should just play this one without overthinking it.

It’s no exaggeration to say this track is a rock classic that set the course for what followed.

Even if you don’t know the song, The Who’s fashion has undoubtedly taken root in Japan.

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All My LifeTiësto x FAST BOY

Tiësto x FAST BOY – All My Life (Official Music Video)

All My LifeTiësto x FAST BOY

A collaborative track by popular Dutch producer Tiësto and Berlin duo FAST BOY.

Released in January 2024, this piece stands out for its synth tones and vocals.

Despite its short length, it’s densely packed with a variety of elements.

The vocals convey a melancholic vibe while the brisk tempo creates a dance-inducing mood.

The piano chord progression is also striking, delivering a fresh feel while following dance music conventions.

It’s a perfect pick to energize dance performances at school festivals and cultural events.

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