“It's not like it was before. Young people don't go to Hohaiyan or Spring Scream to listen to new kinds of music. They go because it's the thing to do. You have to go to a festival,” said Lin (林隀僾), a DJ at the Underground who has attended two Hohaiyan festivals, along with the Reading festival in the UK and Fuji Rock in Japan.
He won't go this year because he finds the music unimpressive and believes the large crowds damage the environment. “In Taiwan, local governments promote these festivals because they want young people to think they're doing something for the arts,” he said. “But it's really a summer business activity. They just want to make it bigger.”
As in previous years, bands will perform simultaneously on two stages at this year's Hohaiyan festival. The festival will end Sunday with Hohaiyan's trademark battle of the bands featuring ten up-and-coming acts culled in regional competitions from a field of 146 entrants.
Performing today and tomorrow on the main venue — or “Yellow Sand Stage” (黃沙大舞台) — will be the two Chinese groups, five major Taiwanese rock bands and what an FTV spokeswoman called “creative” Japanese acts Spiral Monster and Goofy Style. Each is scheduled to play a 50-minute set.
Around 30 lesser-known Taiwanese bands will take to second stage — or “Shiny Stars Stage” (觀星小舞台) — for shorter sets today, tomorrow and Sunday. Don't expect more than a few songs from groups playing on the second stage, as each is allotted only 30 minutes to set up and perform.
The battle of the bands starts Sunday. Eleven Taiwanese groups will compete for the coveted distinction and an NT$200,000 cash prize. An NT$50,000 jury prize and two other prizes will also be awarded. After an awards ceremony, last year's champion Totem will wrap up the festival with an hour-long set that is scheduled to start at 9:30pm.
Plan on getting there early to avoid the massive crowds. If you're driving or taking the train, expect the usual two-hour commute from Fulong back to Taipei to stretch into a six-hour ordeal.
Festival Notes
What: Hohaiyan Gungliao Rock Festival
Where: Fulong beach, Taipei County
When: Today, Tomorrow and Sunday
Tickets: Admission to the festival is free
Getting there: Trains travel to and from Taipei and Fulong at the rate of about one every hour. For schedule information, visit www.railway.gov.tw/index.htm. Buses may prove to be a quicker option. King Bus (www.kingbus.com.tw) and Air Bus (www.airbus.com.tw/hualien_bus/bus_line.html) provide service to and from Taipei.
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