Embrace Harmony Sounds from Land : Earth Stage
Highlights of 2023 WMFT
Dear Music Lover,
How have you been? Have you ever pondered a question: when attending a music festival, do you lean towards the open-air ambiance of an outdoor stage or the enclosed intimacy of an indoor one? At the 2023 World Music Festival @ Taiwan, we've meticulously curated three distinct stages that offer the best of both. Today, let's review the vast and dynamic outdoor venue at the Taipei Music Center, known as the Earth Stage.
At the outdoor stage, you not only experience the raw energy of the artists but also bask in the warmth of the sun on your skin—occasionally interrupted by a sudden downpour. The key, however, is to savor the musical moments. Opening the Earth Stage, the “Funeral Rock” band Tsng-Kha-Lâng made a powerful impact, setting the tone for the festival's vibrant B2B session.
Showcase : Potential, Dynamic and Appealing.
Tsng-Kha-Lâng commanded the stage with their powerful Beiguan music, skillfully blending the sounds of Suona and Tanggu drum with rock elements. Their performance not only allowed us to revisit the early history of Taiwan but also provided a glimpse into the evolution of the traditional music genre.
The next Showcase group DaBangNi band had such a distinctive Hakka taste that they presented an authentic folk performance; A_Root presented Taiwanese ghost stories on stage with a touch of amusement. With the whistle blowing and their signature “Snake Dance,” they adeptly infused traditional flavors with a fresh soul, delivering a cultural celebration of joy.
On the second day of the B2B session, JhenYueTang kicked off their performance with a traditional Taoist ritual that initially appeared solemn.
Following the waving ceremony with the Taoist yellow command flag, they electrified the entire Earth stage with the explosive and indigenous energy of “Temple Rock.” The audience was captivated not only by their local religious costumes and facial makeups but also profoundly amazed by the cohesive atmosphere of the moment. Even if you are not familiar with this culture, you can immerse yourself in the Taiwanese temple culture through their performance.
Within an hour, the atmosphere transitioned to a soft and sweet ambiance with the voice of Ida Elina, also known as the Pop Kantele Diva from Finland. With just a single string instrument and a loop station, Ida skillfully handled everything, selflessly sharing her culture with the audience.
The next artist is another diva from a distant country, Nani from Portugal. She sang in the distinctive endangered language of Ladino from the Middle Ages. Accompanied by the slowly turning orange sunset, Nani played both the piano and trombone, creating elegant sounds and wonderful moments. With Nani's firm, gentle, and independent gaze, we felt as if we were transported to 15th-century Europe.
The second day's closing Showcase featured the third female singer, a highly suitable representative of indigenous voices—Sauljaljui from the Paiwan tribe in the south of Taiwan. With her powerful and full-bodied voice accompanied by the Yueqin (a moon-shaped string instrument), she conveyed a range of emotions, including happiness, sorrow, and strength, evoking the enchantment of nature and the homeland.
“They not only made tradition into innovation, but conveyed indigenous spirit to the world.”
Performance : Diverse, Influential, and Sparkling.
On the third day of the festival, a brief rain shower started when the Indonesian band Southern Riot took the stage. Comprising migrant workers, their powerful and rebellious music aimed not only to assert rights and address social issues but also seemed to have a magical effect, causing the rain to cease at the beginning of the weekend festival.
With the swelling sound of the Amis bell, Outlet Drift set the stage for a spectacular performance. Immersed in indigenous folk songs within an experimental rock genre, the trio skillfully showcased the power and emotions that left a strong impact on the audience. We stand on the earth, witnessing innovation in human culture and an amazing heritage.
“A sound you've never heard before, once you hear it, you won't forget.” This statement is absolutely proved by the next band ADG7 from South Korea, which strategically incorporates tradition into their music. Their theatrical style, combined with grand-scale traditional instruments, not only captivated everyone's attention but also created a sacred and astonishing moment. It's not an exaggeration to say that they have profoundly challenged the conventional perception of traditional music, bringing an unfamiliar culture to life.
The show reached its peak on the closing night of the third day of the festival with the grand co-production featuring Sangpuy (TW), Hitoto Yo (JP), and Tzu-lung Hung (TW). With Hitoto's familiar lyrical voice and Sangpuy's inherently powerful sound, they made the autumn night warmer and more touching.
The playing formula of 2023 WMFT:
“When Frameless mixes with Diverse cultures, it equals You and the Future.”
On the last day, the Earth stage's allure came to life with performances by three artists during the daytime. Pigheadskin led his band, showcasing the “New Taiwanese Wave” style with his unique flair and the brilliant improvisation of a jazz band, simultaneously evoking and refreshing Taiwanese nostalgic songs.
The zero-distance artist Biung Wang, infused the passionate spirit of the Bunun tribe as he descended from the stage to share the music with the audience, evidently inspiring them to dance and sing along together.
Joanna Wang's soothing voice, accompanied by diverse music genres, covers the worries and simple joys of youth, also setting a great mood for the upcoming night.
The night curtain fell as the dark folk band Balaklava Blues took the stage. With the powerful beats of drums and the poignant sorrow of the violin, they conveyed the revolutionary spirit of the fight in Ukraine and offered support to those who had endured challenging times. “For everyone experiencing darkness in their lives, we're here to help light up this beautiful peaceful sky,” they declared. Each word and every beat resonated strongly with the audience, creating an emotional atmosphere. In that moment, the music had transcended all kinds of barriers.
Towards the end of the festival was the other co-production featuring Korean stylistic vocalist Ohelen and Taiwanese Hakka singer Leaf Yeh. Both are singer-songwriters proficient in various music genres. During their performance, different languages intertwined seamlessly with the soft music, creating the impression that they had known each other for a long time. This collaboration served as a perfect punctuation mark for the 2023 WMFT.
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