Three Taiwan acts are set to perform at the Music Matters indie festival Sept. 9-13 in Singapore as part of government efforts to foster cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia under the New Southbound Policy, according to the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development under the Ministry of Culture.
 
Sponsored by BAMID, Taiwan’s lineup comprises folk rock group Chang and Lee, rock band Elephant Gym and hip hop star PoeTeK. The event, one of the largest of its kind in the region, will also feature the panel Gateway to Taiwan Sept. 12, with Music Matters organizers inviting four industry representatives to discuss the current status and outlook of the country’s music sector.
 
BAMID Director Hsu Yi-chun said Sept. 5 that the festival provides a great opportunity for Taiwan acts to shine on the international stage. The panel will also facilitate exchanges on cutting-edge production techniques and emerging trends, helping Taiwan maintain its position as the major creative force in the Mandarin pop industry, she added.
 
Chang and Lee is scheduled to appear Sept. 9 at the festival’s main stage in Chijmes Hall. The band, known for performing country and rock music in Holo, the language of the country’s largest ethnic group, picked up the Best Vocal Collaboration honor at the 2016 Golden Melody Awards, Taiwan’s equivalent to the Grammys.
 
Elephant Gym will deliver two shows Sept. 9-10 at Chijmes Hall and Timbre at The Substation, respectively. The group won the prize for best cross-genre album at Taiwan’s Golden Indie Music Awards in 2014.
 
Hip hop star PoeTeK, renowned for his creative lyrics commenting on social issues, is set to perform Sept. 10 at Canvas Club. In addition, all three acts will feature at a BAMID-organized concert titled Taiwan Beats at live venue Switch Sept. 12.
 
The bureau also unveiled other upcoming dates for Taiwan musicians in Southeast Asia. Pop star Crowd Lu, rock band My Skin Against Your Skin and indie group Trash are slated to appear at the Big Mountain Music Festival Dec. 9-10 in Kaeng Krachan District, Thailand. BAMID is also planning to stage a Taiwan Beats concert featuring the three acts in Bangkok. (CPY-E)