What to listen for at the Formoz fest

Clippers (夾子)

The fact that the long serving Taipei-based indie/new wave band has only released one album in almost seven years hasn't dulled its popularity whatsoever. Whether performing at political rallies or in muddy rain soaked fields the Clippers is a crowd-pleaser. Mixing new wave and nakashi with pop-licks, crassness and a hefty dose of sarcasm, Hsiao Ying (小應) and his Clippers are considered by many as the true voice of Taiwan's underground music scene and must see when they hit the Wind Stage at 8:40pm on Monday.

Chthonic (閃靈)

Led by the pragmatic Goth, Freddy Lin -- a guy who looks a lot like The Damned's Dave Vanian on bad hair day -- Chthonic is not only Taiwan's leading Death Metal act but has also been highly active in the promotion and development of the nation's indie/underground scene. Playing the Wind Stage at 8pm Monday, air-guitar hounds eager to thrash their stuff are advised to arrive early as this euphonious Hell raising bunch are guaranteed to attract a large crowd.

Reproduction (複製人)

While your granny would be horrified by this spiky hair and tartan bondage pant-clad bunch of misfits who take to the Mountain Stage at 2:30pm on Sunday, the late Joey Ramone would be proud. Pure undiluted buzzsaw guitar laden punk rock as it was truly meant to be. Mosh-pit devotees and stage divers alike will be hard pressed to find any Reproduction number that isn't fuelled by the classic bar E chord.

Seventh Symphony (第七樂章)

Heavily influenced by Japanese metal, Seventh Symphony released its debut album to much acclaim from the nation's metal heads earlier this year. Whilst far from going platinum the album did prove that Nippon inspired metal is far from dead. Packed with wailing keyboards, pounding bass and a heavy backdrop of guitar driven noise, this metal act will be proving its mettle on the Fire Stage at 7:40pm tomorrow.