A Year-Round Guide to Musical Festivals in Taipei
What you need to know
'Relax your exhausted soul and release your true self,' said Good Eye Taipei.
Performers at Taiwan's famous large-scale music festivals — such as Kenting Spring Scream in the south and Formoz Festival and Ho-hai-yan Rock Festival in the north — all started out as independent bands. Medium to small-scale music festivals with distinctive characteristics has also blossomed throughout the island.
Taipei boasts a variety of music festivals that range from rock 'n' roll, electronic, hippie, to folk music. Music is a great way to connect with people from different parts of the world, check out Taipei's best music festivals here!
Simple Life (December)
"Founded in 2006, this music-oriented lifestyle festival is held every other year. Simple Life Festival is a well-loved event, that combines Taiwan's loveliest people, events, and things. Each year, the tickets sell out in the blink of an eye. In 2010, they established a physical space, where a simple market is held every weekend."
Taipei Jazz Festival (July)
http://jazz.festival.taipei/2016
"Held by the Taipei City Government, Taipei Jazz Festival has been hosted at the Daan Park amphitheater for over ten summers. Enjoy a leisurely night of jazz accompanied by cool breeze and greenery amidst the ever bustling city center. Do go early if you want to grab a good seat!"
Ho-yai-yan Rock Festival (July)
"In 2000, Taiwan Colors Music and the New Taipei City Government co-founded Ho-hai-yan Rock Festival and held it at Fulong Beach. If you'd like to get away from the city and enjoy music by the beach, this is the place to go. In order to encourage Taiwanese musicians to create music, the festival also offers the Ho-hai-yan Music Award, which has marked the beginning of many Taiwanese singers and bands such as Cheer Chen, Fire Ex., and Crowd Lu."
On Site (September)
http://www.artistvillage.org/event.php
"Held by Treasure Hill Taipei Artist Village, On Site is an art festival where local and international artists converge to experiment and explore the hybridization of audio and video art. I highly recommend attending On Site as it is a fun and interactive experience!"
Migration Music Festival (September)
http://treesmusicart.wixsite.com/mmf-mini-2016
"Founded in 2001, Migration Music Festival is one of the rare independent music festivals that focuses on folk music, grassroots music, and contemporary issues. Music and stories from different cultures course through the performers and audience. Open up all your sense, feel the connection between you and the land, and embark on a nomadic journey that will fill your soul with energy."
Beastie Rock (September)
"The most feral music festival in northern Taiwan, Beastie Rock perseveres despite failing to turn a profit. Here, you can release all the built-up pressure and anger, unleash your wildness under the influence of music, and get familiarized with the beast within yourself."
Tiger Mountain Ramble Outdoor Music Festival (December)
https://www.facebook.com/tmromf
"Tiger Mountain Ramble Outdoor Music Festival is founded by a group of foreigners residing in Taiwan who believe that 'rambling' is a way of city life. People are invited to get away from the clamorous city and hike up Tiger Mountain, where they can empty their minds and relax their souls in the midst of good company from all over the world."
“Good Eye Taipei” can be purchased at all major bookstores in Taiwan. Check out TNL’s interview with the author here.
Editor: Olivia Yang