Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[High School] Perform at the Cultural Festival Live! A Collection of Exciting Japanese Band Songs

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.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

When it comes to classic events at high school culture festivals, live performances are a must!

Some of you might have even formed a band just for this day.

And maybe hearing a band at a culture festival inspired you to start playing an instrument yourself.

In this article, we’ll introduce the perfect Japanese band songs to perform at culture and school festivals!

From cool tracks to emotional numbers, every pick is sure to hype up the crowd.

Be sure to read to the end and choose the songs that best fit your band!

[High School] Perform at the school festival live! A roundup of crowd-pleasing Japanese band songs (141–150)

Starting Oversumika

sumika / Starting Over [Music Video] - TV Anime “MIX MEISEI STORY: The Second Summer, Beyond the Sky” Opening Theme

Starting Oversumika

A refreshing and powerful message song that gently pushes the backs of those taking their first steps toward their dreams.

Released by sumika in June 2023 as the opening theme for the anime “MIX MEISEI STORY: The Second Summer, Beyond the Sky,” this track celebrates the joy of growing together with friends and the importance of cherishing what you love.

It supports and stands by anyone trying to take a step forward in a new environment.

Play it at the start of a school festival or cultural festival, and it will make everyone feel the beginning of a new story.

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The Zero Sense10-FEET

10-FEET – The Zero Sense (Ending Theme Song of the Film 'THE FIRST SLAM DUNK')

The Zero Sense10-FEET

10-FEET is a three-piece rock band that leads Japan’s rock scene with its wide-ranging musicality and also organizes Kyoto Daisakusen, a major festival synonymous with Kyoto.

Their 22nd single, Dai Zero Kan, used as the ending theme for the animated film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK, is an aggressive rock track with a memorable melody.

Since it’s the theme song of a high-profile work, many people know it, so it should get the crowd going at a school festival as well.

However, the song demands a high level of tightness as a band, so don’t rely only on individual practice—focus on band rehearsals, too.

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Hoshino Takashi

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LOVE ROCKETSThe Birthday

The Birthday – LOVE ROCKETS [MV] (Opening theme song of the film “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK”)

LOVE ROCKETSThe Birthday

Released in December 2022, this is the opening theme for the film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK, which became a major sensation and even a social phenomenon.

The track was created by The Birthday, fronted by guitarist-vocalist Yusuke Chiba, a longtime figure in Japan’s rock scene.

It’s a rock tune with a dark atmosphere, highlighted by Chiba’s husky, cool vocals.

If your band’s singer has a husky voice, this is definitely a song to try.

The intro layers bass, drums, and guitar one by one, so it could also work well as the first number in a live set, with each member making their entrance in turn.

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℃rakkuraifu

Luck Life / Degrees Celsius [Music Video] (TV Anime 'Tsurune: The Linking Shot' Opening Theme)

℃rakkuraifu

This song by Luck Life, a four-piece rock band from Osaka, is the opening theme for the anime Tsurune: The Linking Shot.

It’s a track that shines with Luck Life’s signature freshness, and it’s easy to imagine how much it would hype up a school festival performance! Each instrument has its own key points to focus on, but the standout is the drums.

In addition to nailing the numerous breaks throughout the song, there are many drum fills that really stand out on their own, so make sure to practice those thoroughly! You’ll also encounter some phrases that don’t often appear in other songs, so it’s best to listen closely and copy the details as accurately as you can.

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When it shinesHitsuji Bungaku

Hitsujibungaku – When It Shines (Official Music Video) [TV Anime “The Heike Story” Opening Theme]

When it shinesHitsuji Bungaku

Hitsuji Bungaku’s “Hikaru Toki” was written as the opening theme for the much-talked-about anime adaptation of the classic masterpiece The Tale of the Heike.

Released in 2022 as their seventh single, it features vocalist Moeka Shiotsuka’s emotive singing, and the band’s performance—crafted with a dreamy sound—really hits home.

Each instrument is played with a simple approach, making it perfect for a school festival performance.

If your band has a female vocalist, definitely give it a try!

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VSBLUE ENCOUNT

BLUE ENCOUNT 'VS' Music Video [TV Tokyo Anime 'Gintama' Porori Arc Opening Theme]

VSBLUE ENCOUNT

A track that could be called one of BLUE ENCOUNT’s signature songs, known for its passionate rock sound.

Released in November 2017, it was also used as the opening theme for the anime Gintama.

The lyrics, which sing of facing yourself and pushing past your limits with strong resolve, are sure to fire up listeners’ hearts.

The energetic vocals and guitar riffs are striking, making it perfect to perform at school or cultural festivals! It’s on the challenging side, but how about practicing with your bandmates and going all out on stage?

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DOLLSCANDAL

SCANDAL 「DOLL」 ‐Music Video

DOLLSCANDAL

Released in October 2008 as SCANDAL’s major-label debut, it peaked at No.

26 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and drew major attention, including heavy radio airplay nationwide.

This moving song portrays the struggles and desires of young women, blending a strong yearning for freedom and a pure longing for love with a powerful rock sound.

If you’re forming a band for a school festival, be sure to try performing it!

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