Spring Scream may have come and gone, but the live music scene remains in full swing. Indie music fans have plenty shows to choose from, with several mini-festivals taking place this weekend and several concerts by international bands throughout the coming week.
Tonight, reggae, dub and ska fans will gather to hear Japanese and local bands play at the Big 420 party at Pipe Live Music in Taipei. The voice of the headlining female singer Likkle Mai can be characterized as Japanese kawaii (可愛) meets Caribbean soul. The charismatic Mai is the former front woman of the dub band Dry and Heavy, which once toured Europe as the opening act for Asian Dub Foundation. Two Japanese sound systems, Direct Impact and R Tone, are also on the bill. The party runs till the wee hours, with additional sets from local favorites Taimaica Sound System, Otaku 3, Skaraoke and High Tide. [See The Vinyl Word on page 14.]
7:30pm today at Pipe, 1 Siyuan St, Taipei City (台北市思源街1號). Entrance is NT$700, which includes two drinks (first 50 people get in for NT$500)
Photo courtesy of White Wabbit Records
If you’re in the mood for pristine-sounding alternative rock, Acidman of Japan performs tomorrow night at The Wall (這牆) in Taipei. The band’s feel-good vibe stems from a mix of J-rock and prog rock with bursts of punk energy.
7pm tomorrow at The Wall (這牆), B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Admission is NT$1,700
Actress and indie folk star Enno Cheng (鄭宜農), who commands a large fan base of college-aged “culture youths” (文藝青年), plays tomorrow at There Live Cafe in Taoyuan. She shares the bill with her White Wabbit Records (小白兔唱片) labelmate Goosander (川秋沙), a dream-pop band with a female lead singer who sings in Hoklo [commonly known as Taiwanese].
Photo courtesy of White Wabbit Records
7:30pm tomorrow at There Live Cafe, 454 Fuxing Rd, Taoyuan City (桃園市復興路454號), tel: (03) 339-8819. Admission is NT$400
Tomorrow, the Urban Nomad Nomad Film Festival holds its closing party at Bobwundaye with live music from Blind Acid Date. This new band was formed by Nathan Javens, who stars in one of the short films featured in the festival. Also performing are noir-ish local rockers Under the Moon.
9:30pm tomorrow at Bobwundaye, 77, Heping E Rd, Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市和平東路三段77號). Admission is NT$300
Those who want wilderness with their live music can try the Hsinchu Farm Jam tomorrow afternoon. This expat-organized party takes place at the Kenyuan (墾園) recreational park in Sinpu Township (新埔鎮), and features music from a long list of musicians including Mike Mudd, Nick Brown and Arman Torus. There will be booths selling burgers and beers (though revelers are welcome to bring their own), and camping space is available. The event takes place rain or shine. For more details, search for “Hsinchu Farm Jam” on Facebook.
From 2pm to 11pm tomorrow, and Sunday until 2pm at 172, Ln 530, Yimin Rd, Sinpu Township, Hsinchu County (新竹縣新埔鎮義民路2段530巷172號). Admission is NT$150 (camping space is NT$200)
Tomorrow in Kaoshiung, two popular Taipei indie bands, My Skin Against Your Skin, which riffs on the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ sound, and punk favorite Inhuman (非人物種) play at The Mercury.
9pm tomorrow at The Mercury, 46 Liwen Rd, Zuoying Dist, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市左營區立文路46號). Admission is NT$250
Shoegazers and post-rock fans can get their fix on Sunday at The Wall (這牆) in Taipei, which hosts Lily et Coco, Low Brightness Period (低明度時期) and The Sign of Human (記號士).
8pm Sunday at The Wall (這牆), B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Admission is NT$400
Other than the fact that their names have something to do with fruit, 88 Balaz (88顆芭樂籽, 88 Guava Seeds) and We Save Strawberries (草莓救星), which share the bill at Legacy Taipei (傳音樂展演空間) on Wednesday, have little in common, musically speaking. But who knows? The clean, electronica-laced indie pop sound of We Save Strawberries just might be the perfect tonic for 88 Balaz’ raunchy, buzzing garage rock.
8pm Wednesday at Legacy Taipei, Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), Center Five Hall (中五館), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號). Admission is NT$500 (NT$400 in advance. Tickets available at legacy.com.tw)
Artsy punk rock band No Age plays in Taipei at The Wall (這牆) on Thursday. This Los Angeles duo, made up of drummer and vocalist Dean Spunt and guitarist Randy Randall, draw from their roots in the skate-punk and hardcore scene to produce noisy but melodic experimental rock. The band, signed to renowned indie label Sub Pop (Nirvana, Fleet Foxes), first played in Taipei just over a year ago.
8pm Thursday at The Wall (這牆), B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Admission is NT$1,100 (NT$900 in advance. Tickets are available at the venue or indievox.com)
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