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Moonlight plans rising over Kenting beach

Promotional artwork from last year's Moonlight party. PHOTO COURTESY OF MOONLIGHT PRODUCTIONS

Many of those who attended last April's Moonlight party on the beach in Kenting spent much of the past year recovering from it, but that won't stop them from returning to Taiwan's biggest outdoor rave for another three nights of dusk-to-dawn debauchery.

Last year's event had an estimated 10,000 people dancing on Dawan Beach, but entrepreneurial DJ and Moonlight founder David Jr. nonetheless has plans to expand this year's party, adding a third stage, giant video screens and more beer. "This year we're being sponsored by Coors and Bacardi so there'll be plenty to drink," he said. "We were out of alcohol by 2am last year."

Not that anyone cared. With sand between their toes, music in their ears and scantily clad revelers all around, last year's attendees were treated to a party unlike any to be found on the island. Many returned for all three nights of the event, which has coincided with the annual Spring Scream music festival for the past two years.

This year's event, running from April 3 to April 5, will feature some 30 DJs and live acts from Taiwan and around the world. The main stage, Alien Prophecy, will host some of Taiwan's favorite turntablists, such as K Fancy, Orange, @llen, Em Lee and Victor, as well as live acts Outer and David Jr's own outfit Acid Fertilizer. The second stage, Dazed and Confused, is where revelers can chill out to downbeats and dub, with DJs Bo Bo, Waveman, Kay and Cougar and live acts 78bpm, KbN and Triple Stage. The third stage, dubbed Traveling at the Speed of Thought, will offer psychedelic trance played by DJs Jim E, Jack E, Roger, Dragon and Rainman, as well as live Japanese band Uni.

"We're calling this year's event `Make a Wish' because it's my hope that there will be more artists creating good electronic music and more people going home with great memories," David Jr. said.

Wanting to avoid some of the bad publicity that last year's event raked up -- including a story in Next magazine that made ample use of grainy photos with misleading captions -- it's also David Jr.'s hope that partygoers will have a safe time. To that end, there will be a medical station at this year's event, life guards on duty throughout the night and beefed up security.

"Some people got out of hand last year and did some stupid stuff," David Jr. said. "Getting out of hand is okay, just don't be stupid about it."
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