[School Festival] High schoolers hype up a live show! A collection of recommended Japanese band songs

Frenzy Hey Kids!!THE ORAL CIGARETTES

Noragami ARAGOTO OP theme THE ORAL CIGARETTES “Kyouran Hey Kids!!” Music Video

Since their major debut in 2014, THE ORAL CIGARETTES have captivated countless live audiences with sultry vocals and highly addictive songs.

While their aggressive, dark-tinged tracks are especially popular, they also occasionally deliver mellow, gentle ballads—an irresistible contrast that wins over many fans.

Among their repertoire, this song in particular stands out for its aggressive, high-energy vibe.

The intro features a striking harmony between a fast, single-note guitar riff and a fiercely undulating bassline, followed by Takuya Yamanaka’s charismatic vocals.

Nailing a perfect cover of this track right off the bat may not be easy, but if you can play it with style, it’s guaranteed to fire up the crowd as a killer tune.

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Hane Keisuke

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KICK BACKYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – KICKBACK

Kenshi Yonezu, a singer-songwriter who is taking the J-POP scene by storm with music that is innovative yet never loses its originality.

His 13th single, “KICK BACK,” written as the opening theme for the TV anime Chainsaw Man, also drew attention for featuring Daiki Tsuneta of King Gnu on arrangement and performance.

With not only intricate arrangements but also frequent key changes, it’s a song that requires tight ensemble work whether you’re playing solo or as a band.

Its powerful, fast-paced energy makes it a modern rock tune that’s guaranteed to fire up a school culture festival for his generation.

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Hoshino Takashi

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GONGWANIMA

WANIMA「GONG」OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

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WANIMA’s “GONG” is the theme song for the film One Piece: Stampede and is included on the single Summer Trap!!.

You can feel the excitement of an adventure beginning and the strong determination to push toward the future through its powerful sound.

Because they’re a three-piece band, each instrument’s tone can be clearly heard, so it’s important not only to rely on sheer momentum but also to be mindful of playing with precision.

While the performance has plenty of power, the rhythms and chords are fundamentally straightforward, so let’s proceed with an awareness of how to add drive and momentum within that framework.

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kappamaki

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Racing into the NightYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Racing into the Night” Official Music Video

Since their debut, the music duo YOASOBI has captured explosive popularity, especially among younger generations, and has continued to draw attention.

Their first digitally released single, “Yoru ni Kakeru,” became a massive hit both domestically and internationally, despite being a debut track with no tie-in.

While the guitar focuses mainly on cutting, making it relatively simple, the complex bass lines and the piano’s sense of drive raise the overall difficulty, and the vocals are quite high-pitched, so each part requires dedicated practice.

It’s not an easy song, but it’s a famous track everyone knows—performing it at a school festival is sure to get the crowd going!

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Hoshino Takashi

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Indigo squaredYorushika

Yorushika – Blue Squared (Music Video)

Yorushika is a two-piece rock band formed by composer n-buna and vocalist suis, known for their literary lyrics and fragile, ephemeral vocals.

Their first digital-only single, “Ao ni Jō” (Blue Twice), resonates with its story of discovering hope amid the disappointment and sense of loss that come with growing up.

It’s fast-paced with intricate beats, and both the guitar and bass lines move a lot right from the intro, so it requires not just individual practice but tight coordination as a band.

It’s a perfect number for a school festival—the kind of student celebration where listeners will likely see themselves reflected in the song.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Tabibito In The DarkBase Ball Bear

Base Ball Bear – Tabibito In The Dark

It’s a work that portrays a dramatic journey.

Released in 2011 as Base Ball Bear’s 14th single, it strikingly depicts a young person who, tormented by self-denial, still tries to find hope within music.

The heavy guitar sound and emotional melodies resonate deeply.

It may be a song that stays close to those carrying the anxieties and loneliness of youth.

Performed on a school festival stage, it would surely unite the audience’s hearts.

Pixels of EmotionOkazaki Taiiku

Okazaki Taiiku “Pixel of Emotions” Music Video

A song by singer-songwriter Taiiku Okazaki, who calls his music style “Basin Techno” and has been attracting attention with his distinctive lyrical world and catchy phrases.

Featured on his second album, XXL, the track’s contrast between comical lyrics and a loud sound makes a powerful impact.

With its cool rock arrangement, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at school festivals, but it’s also quite challenging—especially the drums, where both the beat patterns and techniques can feel pretty complex.

Of course, if a high school band manages to play it all the way through, they’ll be heroes, so if possible, it’s definitely a number worth attempting.

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Hoshino Takashi

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