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 Recommended Collection of Western Songs to Energize School Culture Festivals (151–160)

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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You Really Got MeThe Kinks

the kinks- you really got me

You Really Got MeThe Kinks

If there isn’t much time before the school festival and you don’t have enough time to practice with your band members, I think it’s fine to stick with just this one song instead of choosing a difficult one.

There are more and more young people who don’t know The Kinks, but this song is a wonderful track that’s said to be the origin of rock.

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LET’S GOwill.i.am, J Balvin

will.i.am, J Balvin – LET’S GO (Official Music Video)

LET'S GOwill.i.am, J Balvin

The energetic vibe is irresistible.

The collaboration track by will.i.am and J Balvin has a danceable finish, but I hear it’s themed around F1, and that contrast is really interesting.

You can feel Latin rhythms with house-like elements, so it might be perfect as a dance number for a school festival.

Released in October 2023, this is said to be will.i.am’s first solo work in about ten years.

Its uplifting, dance-inducing melody is a major draw.

It also carries a positive message, so definitely check it out.

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[2026] Hype It Up! A Selection of Recommended Western Songs to Energize Your Culture and School Festivals (161–170)

Watch This (Pluggnb Remix)Lil Uzi Vert

Lil Uzi Vert – Watch This (Lyrics) | Pluggnb Remix

Watch This (Pluggnb Remix)Lil Uzi Vert

Lil Uzi Vert, a rapper who began attracting attention in the late 2010s.

After collaborating with rapper Future in 2019, he didn’t make many big waves, but he’s finally dropped a major tune recently: “Watch This (Pluggnb Remix).” It’s a viral hit on TikTok right now, so students might recognize it.

Its inventive production and wide-ranging flows create a melody that fits perfectly with the vibe of school festivals and cultural festivals, so be sure to check it out.

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