Linkin Park. Those two words alone are probably enough to attract swarms of young, mosh-hungry rock fans to Banciao Stadium (台北縣立板橋體育館) in Taipei County on Thursday, when the group makes its second appearance in Taiwan.
The chart-topping American nu-metal band headlines next week’s Summer Rock Summit (夏日搖滾高峰會), a set of concerts that also features Vamps of Japan, and Hoobastank and The All-American Rejects of the US.
On its first visit to Taiwan in 2007, Linkin Park played a sold-out show for 40,000 people at Taipei’s Zhongshan Football Stadium (中山足球場), which organizers say was Taiwan’s highest-selling concert since Michael Jackson.
This time the group is joined by two opening bands that are enjoying modest mainstream chart success in the US: The All-American Rejects have an emo-pop sound; Hoobastank plays grungy but polished hard rock and is best known for its hit ballad, The Reason. Both bands match the whiny, angst-ridden temperament of Linkin Park’s music, which melds together heavy metal and hip-hop.
Vamps, who appear on Tuesday and Wednesday at Huashan Culture Park (華山化園區), play a high-energy mix of epic hard rock, glam metal and pop, with songs written from the point of view of vampires. The band was founded by Hyde, the charismatic singer and guitarist for the popular Japanese rock band L’Arc~en~Ciel. He and guitarist and co-founder K.A.Z. cite King Crimson and Motley Crue as influences.
Taiwan has seen a relatively large number of big-name rock acts this summer, thanks in part to Summer Sonic, which alongside Fuji Rock is one of Japan’s major summer festivals.
Local promoters have been taking advantage of the festival’s timing and proximity. With the exception of Vamps, all of the major acts that have appeared in Taiwan this summer are also appearing at Summer Sonic in Osaka and Tokyo this weekend: UK alt-rock band Placebo, trip-hop artist Tricky, post-rock band Mew and Nine Inch Nails, which performs in Taipei at Nangang 101 (南港101) on Wednesday.
WHAT: 2009 Summer Rock Summit (夏日搖滾高峰會) featuring Japanese group Vamps, Linkin Park, Hoobastank and All American Rejects
WHEN AND WHERE:
►VAMPS: 8pm, Tuesday and Wednesday at Huashan Culture Park (華山化園區), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號); closest MRT station is Zhongxiao Xinsheng, Exit 1 (忠孝新生捷運站1號出口)
►LINKIN PARK, HOOBASTANK AND THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS: 6pm, Thursday, at Banciao Stadium (台北縣立板橋體育館) in Taipei County; closest MRT station is Banciao Station, Exit 2 (板橋捷運站2號出口)
TICKETS: Tickets for Vamps concerts are NT$1,200, NT$2,400 and NT$3,600; tickets for Linkin Park concert are NT$1,600 to NT$4,500. Tickets are available through ERA ticketing outlets, online at www.ticket.com.tw, or at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
Linkin Park, Hoobastank and All American Rejects are no exception, and will arrive in Taipei fresh from their own sets at Summer Sonic.
Organizers say Linkin Park does not plan to cut its show short even though other bands are sharing the bill, so audience members can expect a show lasting nearly four hours.
For more on Linkin Park, see our interview with lead singer Chester Bennington in the July 8, 2009, edition of the Taipei Times.
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