Looking for somewhere to go week-in and week-out to discover new artists on this side of the world? Every Tuesday to Sunday you can be sure to find live music in Taipei ranging from electronica to pop, to rock, to punk, to—any genre, really, with artists coming from all over the world.
One of the hottest venues in Taipei for homegrown talent is "The Wall" on Roosevelt Road. The Wall is home to a tattoo parlor, a coffee shop, a music store, and of course the venue itself, an intimate stage setting complete with bar. Recently they hosted standouts ‘Tizzy Bac’, a piano-rock trio, dubbed the ‘Ben-Folds’ of Taiwan. The three college friends were awarded the No. 1 prize in the 2002 Hohaiyan Rock Festival. Since then, they have released three albums, toured all over Asia, and won awards at the Golden Melody Awards. Occasionally, the Wall will host international bands, such as Cat Power, Camera Obscura, and Yo La Tengo; but rest assured, most of the bookings are lesser-knowns from Asia, such as Taipei’s Sugar Plum Ferry, China’s Carsick Cars, Japan’s D’erlanger, among others. Marquee names usually play longer sets, but you can usually catch 2-4 acts a night with the up-and-comers. Cover can range from NT$200-NT$700 at the door, but buying in advance usually knocks off NT$100 or so.
Another venue is the Velvet Underground across from Taipei Main Station on Zhongxiao West Road. While I doubt Andy Warhol, or Lou Reed for that matter, have ever visited this rock club/pub, it doesn’t take anything away from Taipei’s most interesting combination of live music and Mexican restaurant. Music begins here from 9pm-11pm every Tuesday through Saturday with local Taiwanese bands and a foreign band on Friday or Saturday. There’s the usual rock and pop with the occasional jazz and folk mixed in. The VU has hosted greats such as A-Xiang and Mimi Chang. After 11pm DJ sets begin. Cover ranges from NT$300-NT$400 on weekends, with a discount for students. You can however waive the cover charge with a minimum food purchase, selecting from an array of Taiwanese-influenced Mexican food.
Taipei offers plenty of music; you just have to know where to find it. In addition to the usual venues, there are quite a few festivals happening in the coming weeks. The Hohaiyan Festival at Fulong Beach will take place this Sunday, July 12, with bands from Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the USA, and France. On July 18-19, twelve Djs and nine Emcees will be spinning hip-hop, jungle, drum & bass, and electro for seventeen hours at Earthfest 2009 in Taoyuan. Be sure to mark your calendars however for August 1-2 for the Music Terminals Festival (音樂航空站) in Taoyuan, Taiwan’s version of Woodstock or Summer Sonic. Finally, end the summer with Jump Festival 2009 (跳起來音樂節) on August 15-16 at the Huashang Arts Centre in Taipei. Happy listening!
The Wall
B1F, No. 200, Roosevelt Road, Sec. 4
Wenshen Disctrict, Taipei
www.thewall.com.tw
The Velvet Underground
B1F, No. 77, Wuchang Street, Sec. 2
Ximen Ding, Taipei
www.velvet-underground.com.tw