Three Taiwanese pop rock bands impressed hundreds of New York music fans at a concert on Thursday that was part of a major music event in the city.
Three hundred concertgoers at the annual CMJ Music Marathon filled the Union Square Ballroom for the concert by the Taiwanese groups — 831 (八 三夭), Da Mouth (大嘴巴) and Chemical Monkeys (化學猴子).
More than 400 fans signed up for the show, but the venue could only accommodate 300, according to the organizer, CMJ Holdings.
Photo: CNA
Lee Hsien-pu (李賢璞), the lead vocal of 831, said it was his band’s first performance in New York, and he was really happy to see fans dancing to and even singing along with their songs.
Chemical Monkeys guitarist Chang Po-yen (張博彥) said that although US pop music has had a considerable influence on Taiwan’s rock music, the nation has been able to create a unique music culture because of different life experiences and its fusion with other cultures.
The bands were excited just to be able to introduce this special music blend to fans in New York, he said.
Taiwanese bands have been invited to the event for two consecutive years and their performances have received positive feedback, said Susan Yu, director of the Taipei Cultural Center in New York.
One native of Taiwan who now lives in Queens said she loves Da Mouth’s songs best because the electronic music and R&B genres, fusing Japanese and Korean pop and Taiwanese music, are very special.
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