Overview of Taiwan's Music Scene: Music Festivals

Author: 張煒堃 / YSOLIFE

Since the end of the pandemic, Taiwan’s music scene has experienced a vibrant revival. According to Taiwan media The Reporter’s statistics, over 300 music festivals are held annually across Taiwan. However, as the domestic market approaches saturation, the development of music festivals in Taiwan has extended beyond its borders. Connections with the international music industry have grown increasingly close—whether through a significant increase in foreign acts or deep collaborations with renowned international festivals. Located at the heart of East Asia, Taiwan now regularly attracts bands from China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India, and beyond. This wave of internationalization has positioned Taiwan’s music festivals as key platforms for connecting the local scene with the global stage.

 

EMERGE FEST, Carnival Fever, ROCK IN TAICHUNG

Organized by Emerge Music, festivals like EMERGE FEST (浮現祭), Carnival Fever (赤聲躁動音樂祭), and ROCK IN TAICHUNG (搖滾台中) play a pivotal role in Taiwan’s independent music scene. Each of these events has a distinct identity: Emerge Fest has grown year by year into an international event by actively inviting artists from around the world, while incorporating strong elements of Qingshui’s (清水) local culture, including its main stage at the sports park, performances in front of Zi Yun Yan Temple (紫雲巖), and collaborations with regional cuisine and cultural promotions. Carnival Fever, on the other hand, emphasizes the raw voices of new generations. With a focus on spotlighting rising talents, its annual “Voice of the Youth” band competition serves as a key platform for emerging indie artists to be seen and heard in their most honest form, while ROCK IN TAICHUNG, a government-sponsored, free-admission event, stands as one of the largest and most accessible indie festivals in the country. Typically held in urban venues, the lineup selections each year offer a snapshot of “what’s hot right now” in Taiwan’s indie music landscape. Emerge Music has brought in notable international acts such as rising Japanese band ZUTOMAYO and Thai Alternative rock favorites Tilly Birds. EMERGE FEST is also known for their creative programming—like when they arranged a remote collaboration during the pandemic between Taiwanese Math rock band Elephant Gym (大象體操) and Japanese legend toe.

Emerge Music actively fosters international exchange, especially by partnering with overseas festival brands. Through artist exchange programs, they provide Taiwanese bands with opportunities to perform abroad. They’ve previously collaborated with large-scale festivals like Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. In addition, Emerge Music regularly hosts international showcases, inviting global industry professionals, label representatives, and media to Taiwan to engage with local bands through live showcases and foster cultural and professional exchange.

*Photo: 浮現祭提供

 

Vagabond Festival

Held in Anping, Tainan, Vagabond Festival (浪人祭) is one of the largest homegrown music festivals in Taiwan. Known for its eco-friendly mission, Vagabond Festival combines live music with beach-cleaning activities. Its seaside stages welcome a diverse range of genres—from Indie Rock and Folk to Hip-hop and Electronic—making it a perfect choice for fans of coastal vibes and sustainability. In 2023, the festival featured up-and-coming Asian acts such as Japan’s Sunny Day Service, Thailand’s KIKI, and Korea’s Post-rock band Dabda.

Due to its commitment to sustainability, Vagabond Festival frequently collaborates with environmental organizations. In recent years, it has also partnered with government agencies. For example, in 2024, the festival worked with Taiwan’s Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) to invite music industry professionals from countries including South Korea, Japan, the United States, Thailand, Philippines, Poland, and Indonesia to Taiwan. These guests attended the festival to scout talent, engage in exchange, and also created opportunities for Taiwanese artists to perform abroad, such as MAKEMAKE’s (麥琪麥琪) appearance at Thailand’s Rampage Festival, The Chairs’(椅子樂團) invitation to the Philippines’ All of the Noise, and MONG TONG’s performance at Poland’s OFF Festival.

*Performance of Flesh Juicer at 2024 Vagabond Festival

 

FIREBALL Fest.

Organized by Taiwanese Punk icons Fire EX., FIREBALL Fest. (火球祭) targets a more niche crowd with a focus on Punk and Rock music. Its lineup has featured internationally acclaimed acts beloved by Punk fans, including Grammy-winning Canadian band SUM 41, legendary Japanese act ELLEGARDEN, and Rock band MONOEYES.

Unlike other festivals, FIREBALL Fest. emphasizes backstage camaraderie and cross-cultural friendships. The personal bond between Fire EX. vocalist and ELLEGARDEN frontman Hosomi Takeshi has infused the festival with a spirit of Taiwan–Japan friendship. Every year, the event attracts a sizable crowd of Japanese fans to Taiwan to attend the festival. Backstage, numerous Japanese musicians and crew work side by side with Taiwanese staff, enabling direct and meaningful exchange. FIREBALL Fest. actively supports local media access to international artists for interviews, further supporting cultural and industry dialogue.

*Photo: FireBall Fest 火球祭

 

Organik Festival

For fans of Electronic music, Organik Festival (有機音樂祭) is an annual event that cannot be missed. Hailed as “one of the most beautiful music festivals on Earth,” it is typically held in Taiwan’s forests or along its coastlines, blending natural landscapes with psychedelic electronic soundscapes. Past lineups have featured some of the most influential DJs and producers in the global scene, such as Germany’s DJ SPIT, France’s A Strange Wedding, and the U.S. duo Clarisa Kimskii B2B Ne/Re/A.

Organik Festival is also a hub for Asia’s underground electronic music scene, with foreign attendees accounting for about 30% of the crowd. The festival maintains long-standing relationships with global electronic labels and clubs, facilitating regular artist exchanges. Partners include Faust in Seoul’s Itaewon district, Japan’s premier outdoor rave rural, Thailand’s More Rice Records, and Vietnam’s queer-friendly venue The Observatory in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Sonic Shaman: TheCube Forum Music Festival

Sonic Shaman: TheCube Forum Music Festival (聲波薩滿：立方論壇音樂祭) defies conventional genre boundaries, focusing on the exploration of sonic and performative possibilities. The lineup spans experimental bands, sound art, electronic performances, narrative acts, and visual art. Rather than aiming for commercial appeal, the festival invites influential figures from the global experimental and sound art scenes, such as Icelandic sound and performance artist Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir, Thai interdisciplinary DJ Nuh Peace, and Indonesian experimental duo Senyawa.

 

The festival prioritizes cross-disciplinary cultural exchange and knowledge-sharing. By bringing international artists to perform in Taiwan and participating in global art events, Sonic Shaman: TheCube Forum Music Festival actively works to integrate Taiwan’s experimental sound scene into the international landscape. For example, the festival has collaborated on curatorial projects with the Casino Luxembourg – Forum d’art contemporain and Yogyakarta’s Yes No Wave Music label in Indonesia for festival curation.

Beyond these five festivals, many other events in Taiwan have also built strong international ties. Megaport Festival (大港開唱), known for its harbor-side atmosphere; S2O Taiwan Songkran Music Festival, one of the island’s biggest EDM festivals; and Neon Oasis Fest, which emphasizes cross-border collaboration among Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and China—all exemplify Taiwan’s openness and multifaceted engagement with the global music scene.

Comparison of Music Festival Features

Source
1. The Reporter
2. Central News Agency
3. CNA
4. Organik Festival
5. 好合製藝