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

LoversNEW!sumika

sumika / Lovers【Music Video】

sumika is a rock band that captivates many listeners with refreshing melodies and heartwarming messages.

Originally released in March 2016 as a limited-edition single, this song was created in gratitude to fans and members after overcoming the hardship of a hiatus.

It became widely known when it was selected as the theme song for the “Mune-Kyun Sukatto” segment of the TV show “Tsuukai TV Sukatto Japan,” and it’s now beloved as a wedding staple.

Its brisk rhythm and catchy melody are perfect for school festival stages, too.

With handclaps and call-and-response, this pop tune is sure to bring the whole venue together in excitement!

The totally hopeless high school girl became a band member.NEW!chakura

Chakura – The Totally Useless High School Girl Became a Band Member (Official Music Video)

This piece, included on the single released in February 2024 by Chakra—the self-proclaimed headlong-charge girls’ band—packs a real message that blends transience and heartache into a driving guitar-rock sound.

The video, shot across five live music venues in Shimokitazawa, also drew a lot of attention.

Despite being a pure artist track with no tie-ins, its straightforward expression resonates with listeners, turning it into a go-to anthem that generates real heat.

The tight beat and crisp twin guitars feel great, and the sing-along-friendly melodic development is another draw.

It’s perfect for those who want to go all out on a school festival stage—the culmination of student life—pouring out their emotions together with their bandmates.

KidNEW!Shingāzuhai

Singers High “Kid” Music Video

A Singers High track that wraps the venue in a sinister-sounding guitar riff and a breathless, driving beat.

While laced with satire toward the music scene, this rock number carries a message to empty your head and simply enjoy the music.

Originally released in February 2023, it was later included on the album “SINGER’S HIGH.” That same month, behind-the-scenes footage of the music video aired on a music program special and drew wide attention.

The build from a rap-like melody into a chorus that feels like the sky suddenly opening is guaranteed to send the audience into a frenzy.

Aggressive yet undeniably pop, this is a song we’d love to see bands play if they want to command overwhelming presence on a school festival stage.

School HeavenNEW!Fingā 5

Gakuen Tengoku

Finger Five, the brother-and-sister group that dominated the 1970s music scene with an overwhelming groove infused with soul and funk.

Released in March 1974, this song is a classic perfectly suited for school festivals—its famous call-and-response can instantly draw the audience in.

Years later, Kyoko Koizumi’s cover became a massive hit as a TV drama theme, and the song continues to be loved across generations.

Add call-and-response segments and choreography, and you’ll create an unbeatable sense of unity with the stage.

With the heat and dynamism of adolescence packed into this track, let’s fill the venue with smiles and create unforgettable memories.

One drink not includedNEW!makaroni enpitsu

One drink not included

A perfect Macaroni Empitsu track for anyone who wants to bring the live-house energy straight to a school festival.

Featured on the album “Al Dente,” released in January 2015, it still enjoys immense popularity at shows.

Its clever theme likens the familiar system of drink fees on top of ticket prices to the unresolved ambiguity of human relationships—an irresistible concept.

The driving band sound intertwines with vibrant keyboard tones, and its call-and-response with the audience creates a powerful sense of unity.

This is a song the whole venue can shout along to, making it an ideal pick for bands that want to ignite the crowd and whip up a frenzy on a school festival stage.

monsterNEW!YOASOBI

YOASOBI “Monster” Official Music Video (YOASOBI – Monster)

This is a song by YOASOBI released digitally in January 2021, chosen as the opening theme for the second season of the TV anime BEASTARS.

It was produced based on an original short story written by the anime’s author, depicting inner conflict within society and a resolve to protect someone dear.

The driving beat and melancholic synth tones are striking, resulting in a groovy, tight sound.

Combined with the powerful vocal performance, its dramatic progression is sure to unite the audience.

With its strong name recognition, it’s a surefire number to get the crowd going when performed on a culture festival or school festival stage.

RomanticismNEW!Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Romanticism

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE is a rock band known for their piercing pop sensibilities and melodies brimming with euphoria.

This single, released in April 2019, was written specifically for a Shiseido SEA BREEZE commercial.

Crafted by Motoki Ohmori, the song depicts human love and the vitality of life on a grand scale, captivating listeners’ hearts.

Its colorful, bouncy sound and dynamic energy make it perfect for high schoolers who want to fire up a school festival live show.

It’s a highly recommended up-tempo tune that embraces the bittersweet exhilaration of youth and lets the entire venue come together and have fun.