When we heard that Fukuchiyama Seimei High School's brass band had been selected to perform at "Netto Koshien presents Netto JAM 2026 powered by Coca-Cola" — and that they'll share the stage with one of Japan's most exciting young artists, Vaundy — we knew this was a moment worth understanding in full. The event is scheduled for September 23, 2026 at GLION ARENA KOBE, and it represents something special: a bridge between high school musical talent and professional artistry. Here's everything we've learned about what this collaboration will look like, how the students earned their place, and what makes this particular pairing so meaningful.
The Quick Version
- Fukuchiyama Seimei High School's brass band will perform on September 23, 2026 (DAY2) at Netto JAM 2026, held at GLION ARENA KOBE in Hyogo Prefecture
- The band will deliver both a solo brass performance and a collaboration set with Vaundy, who wrote this year's "Netto Koshien" theme song "Kagerou" ("Heatwave")
- They were selected through a public audition process that asked high school brass bands across Japan to submit performance videos by June 14, 2026
- Vaundy is scheduled to close the evening as the final act at 18:45, with the brass band collaboration likely woven into that set
- Three other high school brass bands from the Kansai region will also perform that day, creating a festival atmosphere celebrating both baseball season and youth music
Understanding Netto JAM: Where High School Baseball Meets Live Music
Netto JAM 2026 isn't just another music festival — it's a concept that brings together the emotional heart of Japanese summer (high school baseball) with the artists whose songs have soundtracked those tournaments over the years. Organized by Asahi Broadcasting Television, the event draws directly from "Netto Koshien," the beloved late-night TV program that recaps each day of the National High School Baseball Championship with cinematic flair and a memorable theme song.
This year's festival spans two days: September 22 and September 23, 2026, both national holidays in Japan. The venue is GLION ARENA KOBE in Kobe's Chuo Ward, and the format pairs past and present "Netto Koshien" theme song artists with selected high school brass bands from the region. We see this as a recognition that the music matters as much as the baseball to many fans — that those theme songs become part of the collective memory of summer.
On DAY2 (September 23), when Fukuchiyama Seimei will perform, the headline artists are Vaundy — who contributed "Kagerou" as the 2026 theme — and Sukima Switch, whose song "Kana" became synonymous with the 2006 tournament. Doors open at 14:00 and the show begins at 15:00, building toward Vaundy's closing set at 18:45.
How Fukuchiyama Seimei Earned Their Spot on Stage
The path to Netto JAM wasn't automatic. Asahi Broadcasting Television opened a public call for high school brass bands earlier in 2026, asking interested schools to submit video recordings of their performances along with an application form. The deadline fell on June 14, 2026, and we can imagine the energy and preparation that went into those submissions — hours of rehearsal, recording takes, the collective hope of students who wanted to be part of something larger than their school gymnasium.
Fukuchiyama Seimei High School, located in Fukuchiyama City in northern Kyoto Prefecture, made the cut. Their selection was announced on September 12, 2026, bringing pride to both the school and the wider Ryotan region. They're one of four brass bands chosen to represent high schools on September 23, alongside Kobe Kokusai University Affiliated High School (who will perform the opening fanfare), Hyogo Prefectural Nagata High School, and Kindai University Affiliated High School.
What set Fukuchiyama Seimei apart isn't entirely public, but the event's concept gives us clues: organizers were looking for bands that could not only deliver strong solo performances but also adapt their sound to collaborate with professional artists. The brass band would need to be musically versatile, responsive to different arrangements, and confident enough to share a large arena stage with established performers.
What the Collaboration with Vaundy Will Look Like
This is the part we're most curious about — and what many readers have been asking since the announcement. According to official statements, Fukuchiyama Seimei will perform two segments on September 23: a solo brass band set showcasing their own repertoire, and a collaborative performance with Vaundy himself.
Vaundy, a 25-year-old singer-songwriter, producer, and visual artist, has built his career on genre-blending music that draws from rock, pop, funk, and electronic influences. His 2026 song "Kagerou" captures the intensity and fleeting beauty of summer — themes that resonate deeply with the high school baseball narrative. We expect the collaboration will center on this track, likely arranged to feature the brass band's horns, percussion, and ensemble power alongside Vaundy's vocals and band.
Brass arrangements of contemporary pop and rock songs have become a signature strength for many Japanese high school bands, who regularly perform covers of chart hits at competitions and school festivals. Fukuchiyama Seimei's students will bring their own interpretive energy to Vaundy's music, and if past collaborations at similar events are any guide, we might also hear moments where the brass takes the lead while Vaundy steps back — creating a true exchange rather than just backing accompaniment.
The exact running order and arrangement details haven't been made public, but with Vaundy scheduled as the day's closing act at 18:45, the collaboration is likely positioned as part of that final set, giving the evening a powerful, youth-centered finale.
Why This Collaboration Matters Beyond the Stage
On the surface, we're talking about a high school band getting to perform with a popular artist at a professional venue. But there's a deeper significance here that we think is worth recognizing. For the students in Fukuchiyama Seimei's brass band, this isn't just a performance — it's a validation of years of practice, early morning rehearsals, weekend competitions, and the kind of dedication that often goes unseen outside the school community.
High school brass bands in Japan operate at an extraordinarily high level. They compete in rigorous prefectural and national competitions, tackle complex classical and contemporary repertoire, and form tight-knit communities where upperclassmen mentor juniors and every member's contribution matters. Being selected for an event like Netto JAM places these students in a professional context, giving them a taste of what it's like to prepare for a large-scale concert, work with sound engineers and stage managers, and perform for an audience beyond their families and classmates.
For Vaundy, the collaboration offers something different: a chance to hear his music through the acoustic power of live brass and to share a stage with young musicians who represent the same passion and summer energy his song celebrates. It's a reminder that music education and popular music aren't separate worlds — they inform and inspire each other.
And for the audience at GLION ARENA KOBE, we think the moment will carry emotional weight. Many concertgoers will themselves be alumni of high school band programs, or parents of current students, or simply people who remember what it felt like to be part of something collective and striving. Seeing high school musicians hold their own alongside professional artists taps into that nostalgia and pride.
The Full DAY2 Lineup and Event Details
Fukuchiyama Seimei's performance is part of a carefully curated day of music. DAY2 of Netto JAM begins with Kobe Kokusai University Affiliated High School's opening fanfare, setting a celebratory tone. The four brass bands will each have their solo segments, and interwoven with those performances will be sets by Vaundy and Sukima Switch.
Sukima Switch — the duo of Takuya Ohashi and Shintaro Tokita — brings two decades of songwriting experience and a catalog that includes multiple "Netto Koshien" themes. Their 2006 song "Kana" is still closely associated with that year's tournament, and their presence creates a generational bridge: artists who defined the soundtrack of high school baseball for one generation sharing the stage with Vaundy, who's doing the same for another.
GLION ARENA KOBE (formerly known as World Memorial Hall) is a fitting venue for this kind of event. With a capacity for large-scale concerts and a central location in Kobe's waterfront Chuo Ward, it's a space that feels both grand and accessible. Doors open at 14:00, giving fans time to settle in before the 15:00 start, and the evening will build toward Vaundy's 18:45 closing set — a full afternoon and evening of music.
For those hoping to attend, ticketing information and availability would typically be handled through official channels, though specific pricing and platform details for this event weren't included in the latest announcements. What we do know is that the combination of professional artists and high school talent has generated significant interest, both locally in the Kansai region and among Vaundy's national fanbase.
What People Are Saying
"I'm so proud of these kids. Fukuchiyama isn't one of the big-name schools people always talk about in brass band competitions, so seeing them get this recognition means everything to our community. I hope they know how many of us will be cheering them on."
— A local supporter writing on social media following the September 12 announcement
"Vaundy + high school brass is going to be incredible. His music already has so much energy, and when you add live horns to that? I'm genuinely excited to hear how they arrange 'Kagerou' for this. It could be a really special moment."
— A fan commenting on the collaboration lineup for DAY2
"This is what 'Netto Koshien' has always been about — taking the emotions of summer and turning them into something bigger through music. I love that they're giving high school musicians this platform. These are the kids who play in the stands during the tournament, and now they get to be center stage."
— A longtime viewer of the "Netto Koshien" program reflecting on the event concept
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Fukuchiyama Seimei performing with Vaundy?
The performance is scheduled for September 23, 2026 at GLION ARENA KOBE in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. Doors open at 14:00 and the show starts at 15:00, with Vaundy's set (including the collaboration) scheduled for 18:45 as the closing act.
Is this Fukuchiyama Seimei's first major collaboration?
The announcement identifies this as a significant milestone for the school's brass band program. While the band has competed in regional and prefectural competitions, performing at a professional arena event with a nationally recognized artist like Vaundy represents a new level of exposure and opportunity.
Will the performance be broadcast or streamed?
Official broadcast or streaming plans for Netto JAM 2026 haven't been detailed in the available information. Given Asahi Broadcasting Television's involvement as the organizer, there's a possibility of coverage tied to the "Netto Koshien" program, but specifics would need to be confirmed through official event channels.
What song will they perform together?
While the exact setlist hasn't been publicly announced, the collaboration is likely to feature Vaundy's 2026 "Netto Koshien" theme song "Kagerou," given its direct connection to the event's concept. The arrangement will presumably highlight the brass band's instrumentation alongside Vaundy's performance.
Are there other high school bands performing at Netto JAM?
Yes — three other high school brass bands are performing on September 23: Kobe Kokusai University Affiliated High School (opening fanfare), Hyogo Prefectural Nagata High School, and Kindai University Affiliated High School. DAY1 (September 22) features a separate lineup of artists and bands.
Looking Ahead to September 23
As we count down to the performance on September 23, 2026, we're reminded that the best collaborations aren't about one side elevating the other — they're about mutual respect and shared energy creating something neither could achieve alone. Fukuchiyama Seimei High School's brass band brings discipline, youthful enthusiasm, and the acoustic power of live ensemble performance. Vaundy brings his distinctive artistry, his connection to this year's baseball summer, and his ability to meet young musicians where they are.
The students will step onto a professional stage in front of thousands, carrying not just their instruments but the hopes of their school, their families, and everyone in Fukuchiyama who's followed their journey. We expect they'll deliver. And we expect that for at least a few moments on that September evening in Kobe, the boundary between student musician and professional artist will blur — and what we'll hear is simply great music, played with heart, celebrating the summer that brought everyone together.
