Get some sleep tonight, because your Saturday in Taipei is sorted. Three parties. Three genres. One pretty new, one a massive DJ crew, plus an obligatory Luxy tip, too.
First for the new. Only a local comedian named Gary Lycett could be funny enough to pull off an alternative music night called Idioteque.
Formed in November 2005 in cold and soggy Leeds, England, Idioteque has become one of that city's best-loved indie nights for musos bored with hearing the same tunes everywhere they go.
Since moving from Leeds to Taiwan four months ago Lycett, 24, has put on three nights on the third Saturday of each month at The Source, as well as comedy nights at the Comedy Club in Taipei at which he has "been known to make people laugh on occasion," he says. Idioteque, however, is a more serious matter, and he gave the Vinyl Word the lowdown on what is fast becoming the night of choice for those looking for a refreshing change from 125-plus beats per minute.
"Idioteque doesn't really compete with the already established 'house' scene in Taiwan. We play quite a range of music on the night and it can be quite random at times. We say on the flyers that we play indie, pop, electro and folk music, but we also put on some Motown and jazz," he says.
The philosophy is simple. With so much new music being played at so many different places, the classics have been left to collect dust on a CD rack in someone's bedroom. "We play music that people would like to dance and have fun to," Lycett says. "Something that offers a variety of different music from the norm."
With an eclectic mix of bands - including Interpol, the Dresden Dolls, the Stone Roses, the Knife, the Talking Heads and the Rolling Stones - anyone who doesn't worship at the altar of house and hip-hop is bound to be happy. Lycett himself plays with Mancunian Hester, 29, "whose range of musical knowledge is astounding," and Alexis Somerville, 23, "who always plays danceable tunes while ignoring drunken advances of men who request Maximo Park."
Before the DJs take over, expect a little live blues and folk from Kaivin Chen and get stimulated with Idiotreats, a "selection of free sweets that are given out at Idioteque and are an excellent alternative to illegal substances." And if New Year's Eve left you with empty pockets, you'll be pleased that the party is all-you-can-drink for NT$500 but without the appalling commercial hip-hop dross that usually accompanies such deals. Idioteque runs from 10pm to 4am tomorrow night at the Source, 1-2, Roosevelt Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路一段1-2號). The venue is located near the CKS Memorial Hall MRT station's exit No. 4. Call (02) 3393-1789 for more information
For those who think indie alternative is for wimps, top party-thrower Mike Jansen is at it again with In Living Color tomorrow night at Plan B (計畫B). Expect a huge crew of hip-hoppers and DJs spinning hip-hop, dancehall, funk, soul, old-school and 1980s tunes. Always cleverly mixing it up, Jansen's crew will provide visuals using clips from the classic early 1990s comedy show In Living Color, which only North Americans may remember. (The show helped launch the acting careers of comedians Jim Carrey and the three Wayans brothers.) Dress code is extra colorful and neon will be appreciated. Drinks cost a measly NT$150 while entry plus one drink is NT$300. Complimentary Caribbean food before midnight. In Living Color starts at 10pm tomorrow and lasts until 4am at Plan B, 29-1, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市安和路一段29-1號). Plan B's phone number is (02) 2775-5855.
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