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[The Vinyl Word]

Orange Boy, right, because we know you love him, and Kentaro from Dynamite Club, because he likes to get his kit off. Both from 2004. PHOTO: COURTESY OF JULES QUARTLY

As you read this, hundreds of bands, musicians, deejays and emcees, along with thousands of music lovers, groupies, party followers and spectators — not to mention a few dozen undercover cops and countless street venders — from all over the island are on their way to Kenting, getting ready for Spring Scream weekend, three days of parties, music and mad traffic at the southern tip of Taiwan for the country’s most significant annual indie-music event.

Inevitably, with its growing popularity and the enormous amounts of money it’s brought to Kenting, Spring Scream has been attracting not only tourists but also competitors and copycats. A range of other outdoor festivals and parties has emerged in the area during this time of the year. For better or worse, Kenting goes from a laidback resort to the nation’s party capital at the beginning of April every year.

In addition to the “real” Spring Scream festival, the Kenting area will host more than a half-dozen other dance parties and rock concerts this weekend. Here’s a list:

* Spring Scream at Oluanpi Lighthouse National Park (鵝鑾鼻燈塔公園, about 12km from Kenting Street) Friday through Sunday: This is the official Spring Scream party that’s been running for 14 years. The focus is indie-rock music, but pop, hip-hop and DJ music can also be found here. More than 250 bands and performers are featured this year. Check www.springscream.com for complete listings. 2pm till midnight. Tickets: NT$1,000 per day; NT$1,600 for all three days (at the entrance)

* Spring Wave Music Festival at Maobitou Park (貓鼻頭公園, about 13km from Kenting Street) Friday through Saturday: A pop music-oriented concert with some of Taiwan’s best pop acts: Oxymoron (盧廣仲), Ocean (海洋樂團), Joanna (王若琳), Sodagreen (蘇打綠), Chang Chen-yue (張震嶽) and Free 9, MC Hotdog, and Tanya Chua (蔡健雅) on Friday; Every Planet (美味星球樂團), Xiao Yu (小宇), Shino Lin (林曉培), Champion (強辯樂團), Mayday, Cheer Chen (陳綺貞) and Wan Fang (萬芳) on Saturday. 4pm till midnight. Tickets: NT$1,200 per day. Web site: www.spring-wave.com

* Spring Wave Rave Party at Hengchun Airport (恆春機場, about 14km from Kenting Street) Friday and Saturday: Featuring house, trance and progressive. International heavyweight Andy Moor headlines on Friday night along with Blueman, Kay and Kolette, and SL. Saturday night with big-name DJs Gareth Emery and Ronski Speed, plus local DJs JonB and Victor Cheng. 8pm to 4am. Tickets: NT$1,500 per day

* Asian Rock Festival (亞洲搖滾音樂祭) at Jialeshuei (佳樂水, about 23km from Kenting Street) Friday through Sunday: A battle-of-the-bands-style concert. 12pm till midnight. Tickets: NT$500 per day. On the Web: smilecc.myweb.hinet.net

* Kenting Splash (墾丁吶喊) at Hengchun Airport) Friday through Sunday: A government-sponsored event offering free rock concerts during the day (10am to 4pm) and hip-hop/electronic dance music after dark. Friday: Hip-hop night with DJ PP, DJ Andrew, DJ Kenneth and MC Kinglover, DJ Wayne, DJ Rabbit and MC AK. Saturday: Rave night with DJ Sam, Andrew Ford, Vertigo, Carlo Grieco and Backside Artists. Sunday: DMC champion DJ Prozeiko and DJ D-Tale with MC Krazyee, DJ Brian, DJ Shawn, DJ Lucky, Carlo Grieco and Backside Artists. 10am to 4am. Tickets: NT$1,000 per day; NT$1,200 for two days; NT$1,500 for three days. On the Web: www.spring2008.com.tw

* Hip Hop Festival (台灣嘻哈音樂祭) at Hengchun Airport) Friday and Saturday: Bikini hip-hop party on Friday with DJs Rom, Def P, MC PJ, MJ116, Whisky, Zeebra and DJ Jr, MC. Fat Joe Taiwan Tour on Saturday: MC Joker, DJs Noodle, Whisky, Chicano, TTM, MC Keiko, Tachih (大支) and Fat Joe. 6pm to 4am. Tickets: NT$600 Friday; NT$1,200 Saturday; NT$1,500 for both days. Free entry for women in bikinis on Friday. On the Web: www.ottonet.com.tw

* Stop Vicious Circle at Howard Hotel (福華飯店, 2 Kenting Street) Friday and Saturday: Big indoor party with two stages for hip-hop and electronic music. Friday, Stage One: DJs Lark, Ago, Nick, MC Rich$G, HRC, Killafornia, DJ Muggs (of Cypress Hill), Psycho Realm, GZA (Wu-Tang Clan), DJ Stimulant J; Stage Two: DJs Kriz, Stan, Romeo, Matty D, Nick, Gareth Jones, Yoshi, Saucey and Tom Bassmen. Saturday, Stage One: DJs Romeo, Glenn, Slick, Yoshi, Peter Burke, Saucey, Christopher Lawrence and Danny Taylor; Stage Two: DJs Lark, HRC, Nic k, OzroSaurus, Sn-Z and SWB. 6pm to 4am. Tickets: NT$1,200 per day; NT$2,100 for both days. On the Web: svc2008.blogspot.com

* Funky Chocolate at Illusion Kenting (夢幻墾丁, 888 Kenting Street) Friday and Saturday: An open-air electronic dance party at a bar in the night market area. House, drum ’n’ bass, breakbeat and trance. Friday (White Party) with DJs Yuho, Funkstar, Freaky Squeaker, Nina, Kaoru and Racy. Saturday (Hibiscus Party) with DJs Won Won, atL, JJ, Tommy, Hooker, Fion and Satan. 7pm to 5am. Tickets: NT$700 per person; NT$1,100 for two people; NT$2,100 for four people. Women in bikinis get in free on Friday. On the Web: funkychocolateparty.blogspot.com
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