Much of Taiwan’s indie-rock scene is flocking to Kaohsiung this weekend and next for the Megaport Music Festival
(大港開唱), which kicks off tonight with shows by Orangegrass (橙草), Windmill (風籟坊) and FireEx (滅火器). Indie-pop group 1976 and black metal band Chthonic (閃靈) headline tomorrow.
More than 80 bands are scheduled to perform at the festival, which takes place at Pier 2 Art District (高雄駁二藝術特區), an area of warehouses located at Kaohsiung Port that was converted into a government-sponsored gallery space for the fine arts, similar to Taipei’s Huashan 1914 (華山1914) arts district.
Several pop stars in the lineup will likely draw large numbers of fans. Geek-chic star Crowd Lu (盧廣仲) appears on Thursday, and college rock favorite Sodagreen (蘇打綠) takes the stage March 20.
One notable headline act is American rock trio The Secret Machines, who combine psychedelic rock and Led Zeppelin-inspired drum beats. They perform next Sunday.
Several rock documentaries will also be screened this weekend and next. Global Metal is a Canadian production about heavy metal subcultures, and Joy Division is a film about the legendary British band.
The Megaport Festival, which was started by Taipei live music venue The Wall (這牆) in 2006, is now in its third edition after a hiatus last year. This year’s event is the biggest ever, with concerts taking place on five separate stages. There will also be a “creative goods” market and traditional food stalls selling hot meals and snacks.
The Pier 2 Art District is a five-minute walk from exit No. 1 of Kaohsiung MRT’s Yanchengpu Station (鹽埕埔站,O2站).
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