Since the inception of Spring Scream, other promoters have been riding Jimi Moe and Wade Davis’ coattails and throwing their own massive parties in Kenting during the Tomb Sweeping holiday. Some events blow up and everyone has an amazing weekend, others fizzle and the investors lose their shirts. Even though this is a shorter weekend, there is still an overabundance of amusement for the masses. Partygoers should be aware that last year there was plenty of promotion for Fat Joe and GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, but when it came time for their performance neither of them showed up. All artist and band schedules are subject to change at the last minute.
The biggest non-Spring Scream event in the dirty south is the 48 Hour ReNu Hipstival, with Evil Nine, LA Riots, Aquasky, Felix Cartal, Atomic Hooligan, Rogue Element and Anderson Noise, as well as local favorites Go Chic, DJ Mykal (林哲儀), Freaky Squeaker and the Swank DJs, Gareth Jones and Matty D. In a phone interview, Matty D said that this is the place to be over the weekend. “The ReNu festival has seven international DJs, a huge sound system, wicked stage and amazing VJs. These guys are the hottest producers in the nu-disco and indie dance-rock scene.”
The Spring Wave Music Festival 2009 goes with popular Taiwanese bands during the day at one site and electronic artists late-night at another. Headlined by Taiwanese rock ’n’ roll luminaries Wu Bai and China Blue, Spring Wave also boasts former Spring Scream mainstays Mayday (五月天), popular indie-folk act Sodagreen (蘇打綠), as well as many others.
When the sun goes down, the electronic beats get turned up at Spring Wave. Andy Moor, who wears number 18 in the world on his DJ uniform, is one of the most influential DJs and producers in the dance music industry today. Opening up for Moor will be Yahel, an Israeli progressive trance DJ who tours the globe all year round. Two of the most creative local producers round out this underrated bill, DJ SL and Blueman. SL will be performing with Lo Tanghsuan (羅堂軒) who is a master of the erhu, sometimes known as the “Chinese violin.” Blueman’s time behind the ones and twos is packed with guest appearances because he will incorporate Dizzy Butterfly, Maria Ozawa in Sofa Shakedown (小澤瑪麗亞), as well as Unfamiliar Friends Party into his creative set.
48 Hour ReNu Hipstival (NT$1,000 entry fee) is at Hengchun Airport (恆春機場).
Spring Wave Music Festival — Rock and Roll (NT$1,300 entry fee) is at Maobitou Park (貓鼻頭公園).
Spring Wave Music Festival — Electronic (NT$1,300 entry fee) is at Hengchun Airport.
On the Net: To view a comprehensive interactive map of Spring Scream weekend parties (Chinese only), go to www.uukt.idv.tw/spring-map.htm
Exceptions to the rule are sometimes revealing. For a brief few years, there was an emerging ideological split between the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) that appeared to be pushing the DPP in a direction that would be considered more liberal, and the KMT more conservative. In the previous column, “The KMT-DPP’s bureaucrat-led developmental state” (Dec. 11, page 12), we examined how Taiwan’s democratic system developed, and how both the two main parties largely accepted a similar consensus on how Taiwan should be run domestically and did not split along the left-right lines more familiar in
As I finally slid into the warm embrace of the hot, clifftop pool, it was a serene moment of reflection. The sound of the river reflected off the cave walls, the white of our camping lights reflected off the dark, shimmering surface of the water, and I reflected on how fortunate I was to be here. After all, the beautiful walk through narrow canyons that had brought us here had been inaccessible for five years — and will be again soon. The day had started at the Huisun Forest Area (惠蓀林場), at the end of Nantou County Route 80, north and east
Specialty sandwiches loaded with the contents of an entire charcuterie board, overflowing with sauces, creams and all manner of creative add-ons, is perhaps one of the biggest global food trends of this year. From London to New York, lines form down the block for mortadella, burrata, pistachio and more stuffed between slices of fresh sourdough, rye or focaccia. To try the trend in Taipei, Munchies Mafia is for sure the spot — could this be the best sandwich in town? Carlos from Spain and Sergio from Mexico opened this spot just seven months ago. The two met working in the
This month the government ordered a one-year block of Xiaohongshu (小紅書) or Rednote, a Chinese social media platform with more than 3 million users in Taiwan. The government pointed to widespread fraud activity on the platform, along with cybersecurity failures. Officials said that they had reached out to the company and asked it to change. However, they received no response. The pro-China parties, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), immediately swung into action, denouncing the ban as an attack on free speech. This “free speech” claim was then echoed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC),
RSS