Print

Mail

wiki links

Tainan still jams

Scenes from last year's Tainan jam, the guitarist from SM.

Technically, this is only the second year for the annual Tainan May Jam. Two years ago it was the June Jam and three years before that it was the July Jam. No matter the month, though, it's still the same grassroots good-time music festival that it's always been, with a line-up of acts that has something for everyone.

"Past experience has shown that when we've had three heavy metal bands, people close their ears and leave," said Jam organizer Axel Schunn. "We like to have more variety, not just one style of music."

Schunn has each year put together a personal smorgasbord of the best from southern Taiwan's musical circles, offering everything from "temple to thrash metal, wedding music to jazz and folk to rock."

An equally important draw for past attendees is the fact that it all takes place beside the beach in Taiwan's oldest historic area and is a perfect picnic area.

"There will be some food available and some drinks available, but I encourage everyone to bring their own tastes -- and to bring something to barbecue, too."

Since the Jam is held outdoors, past experience has also shown Shunn that, if the weather is bad, having people leave isn't as much a problem as getting people to come. Over the past five years, the event has moved from July to June to May in a sometimes vain attempt to avoid inclement weather.

"There won't be any rain this year -- for the first time in four years!" Schunn said, on seemingly good authority.

Highlights of this year's festival include Milk and Schlumpy from Taichung, who bring with them a sizable section of horns, and Tsunami. "They are a very UK rock band. They have this very unique UK sound," said Schunn, who also picks Taiwanese act Sunday among his favorites. "They're bound to be discovered by some record company. They're a little bit popish, but they' ve kept their integrity," he said. Schunn's own band, Charlie Swiggs, is also set to play both days.

Mei Huo Chi.

A pair of drumming groups, Dragonfly Jamboree from Taichung and African Djembe from Kaohsiung, are scheduled to meet up for a jam session midday both tomorrow and Sunday, with the audience encouraged to join in.

Schunn says it's OK to camp at the site, but warns that it's not an official campsite and lacks facilities: "Basically, if you're drunk and you don't want to go anywhere that night you're welcome to pop up your tent and stay."

In the event of rain, all activities will be postponed to next weekend at the same location.

Tainan May Jam goes on from noon to 9pm tomorrow and Sunday at Choumao Yuan in the city's Anping District. From the Tainan train station, take bus No. 15 to Yukuan Rd. (漁光路) in Anping, or go by taxi for about NT$200. For more information, check out the event's Web site at: http://www2.eecs.stut.edu.tw/~charlie/swiggs. Admission is free!
This story has been viewed 2240 times.