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 (171–180)

CreepRadiohead

Radiohead – Creep

CreepRadiohead

If the band members have a passionate message about existing music and boast that they’re going alternative, I think this anti-rock song would be a good fit too.

It’s Radiohead’s most famous song, and the guitar cutting part is something anyone can play and get hyped with.

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Dani CaliforniaRed Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Dani California [Official Music Video]

Dani CaliforniaRed Hot Chili Peppers

If your school festival band has a certain level of playing skill, I think it would be interesting to try covering the American heavyweight band Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Since they’re a live-oriented band, there are plenty of performance videos available, which should be helpful as references.

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PsychosocialSlipknot

Slipknot – Psychosocial [OFFICIAL VIDEO] [HD]

PsychosocialSlipknot

I think it takes a lot of courage to perform Slipknot’s heavy rock at a school festival.

But if you even imitate the members’ costumes and put on the show, I’m sure the place would explode with excitement.

However, it might be tough if the audience is mostly women.

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BurnDeep Purple

Deep Purple-Burn

BurnDeep Purple

Events at a school festival are different from professional ones, so equipment and other conditions are limited.

And even in that tough environment, you still have to get the crowd going.

In that case, songs everyone knows are recommended.

With this song, the moment the intro plays, everyone will go, “Oh, I know this one!”—no doubt about it.

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In conclusion

We introduced upbeat Western songs that will vividly color and energize the stages of school festivals and cultural fairs. Trendy tracks you often hear on TikTok can instantly sweep the venue into a whirlwind of excitement. When you let your heart dance through the magic of music with classmates and visitors, you’ll create scenes that never fade. Surrender to the pleasant rhythms and help craft a special time filled with everyone’s smiles!