The eighth World Music Festival @ Taiwan is to open today at the Taipei Music Center, featuring 28 performances from Taiwanese and international artists across the musical spectrum.
Over three days, musicians would perform on three stages, serving up a variety of styles from world, fusion and jazz to electronic and folk, organizers said.
The opening day features trio Suonno D’Ajere, and their enchanting mix of mandolin and classical Neapolitan music, the organizers said.
Photo courtesy of the Taipei Public Works Department
Another highlight would be Namgar, a band from Russia’s Buryatia whose sound has been described as the “Mongolian Bjork,” the organizers said.
A collaboration between Amis DJ Dungi Sapor and Taiwu Ballads Troupe of the Paiwan blending electronic music and indigenous beats is sure to be a visceral and one-of-a-kind experience, the organizers said.
In addition to performers, 18 international delegates comprising festival organizers, program directors, agents, and music media professionals are to take part in two international forums and the first-ever “Music Roundtable” today and tomorrow.
At these events, Taiwan’s music industry professionals are expected to engage in in-depth discussions with international guests, covering topics such as artist mobility, networking, technological innovation and music documentation.
The three-day event features bazaars, offering a unique blend of music, artisanal crafts and food, including Montreal smoked meat sandwiches, indigenous craft beer, Tunisian cuisine, handwoven textiles from the Thai-Myanmar border, Middle Eastern Daf drums and traditional Japanese Hogaku culture, the organizers said.
Since its launch in 2016, the festival has been an immersive experience for participants and served as a vital platform for artists, introducing their music to international audiences, according to festival organizers.
The festival is hosted by the Ministry of Culture’s Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development.
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