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] Hype It Up! A Curated List of Western Songs to Ignite Your School Culture Festival (141–150)

Sha La La La LeeSmall Faces

Small Faces – Sha La La La Lee

Sha La La La LeeSmall Faces

One band that unfortunately isn’t as well-known as the Beatles or the Stones is the Small Faces.

If you listen to this track, you’ll definitely want to perform it at a school festival.

Even if the audience doesn’t know it, the superb chorus and melody will have everyone singing along by the second verse.

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Still WaitingSUM41

Sum 41 – Still Waiting

Still WaitingSUM41

If you just want to have an insanely good time and hype up the crowd at a school festival live show, Sum 41 is a great choice.

This Canadian punk rock band plays party punk rock, so their songs are perfect for performing at events like school festivals.

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DANCE MONKEYTones and I

TONES AND I – DANCE MONKEY (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

DANCE MONKEYTones and I

Tones and I, a singer-songwriter from Australia with a one-of-a-kind musical style, has gained popularity mainly in the English-speaking world.

Her distinctive voice and unique sound—unlike any other artist—are striking.

Her hit song “Dance Monkey” is the track that catapulted her to global fame.

While it’s not particularly fast-paced, its groovy sound makes it perfect for pumping up the crowd at a school or cultural festival.

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[2026] Hype It Up! A Recommended Collection of Western Songs to Energize School Culture Festivals (151–160)

22Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift – 22

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.

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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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