Given Taiwan's ever-precarious relations with China and the country's acute
identity crisis, an expression of patriotism instantly becomes a politically
charged statement. So in this atmosphere, when the Taiwan Rock Alliance
(TRA) puts on the third annual Say Yes To Taiwan rock festival tomorrow, it
will, in essence, be extending a gigantic middle finger to Beijing.
In keeping with the festival's blunt pro-Taiwan theme, most of the bands
have a statement to make, some more subtle than others. Anarchy (無政府)
from Taichung is a punk band whose raucous punk music is pretty much summed
up by its name. They're not very strong on the political theory front, but
they know how to rock and kick up a loud chorus of "f**k China, f**k China!"
Opposition Party, from Singapore will bring its brand of anti-establishment
rock and the Japanese manga girl punk band Softball will lend their earnest
energy to the Taiwan cause as they did at last year's festival. Other groups
playing the festival include the alternative band VIC, pop band Eden
(伊甸園) and punkers Reproduction (複製人).
So, become an activist by merely showing up at 228 Memorial Peace Park and
having a subversively good time. The show starts at 2pm and will go until
9pm, followed by an after-party at Zeitgeist starting at 10pm. Zeitgeist is
located at B1, 122 Chunghsiao E. Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei
(台北市忠孝東路二段122號B1). Admission to both events is free.
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