Six groups from Taiwan will perform at music festivals in Britain and Germany in the next two months, bringing Taiwanese independent music to the world stage, the Ministry of Culture said Wednesday.
The indigenous reggae-rock band Matzka, pop-rock band Echo and rock trio Tizzy Bac will perform in Britain at the Liverpool Sound City music and arts festival May 2-4, according to the ministry's Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development.
Garage rock band My Skin Against Your Skin, indie rock band Macbeth and the experimental audiovisual group Empty Space on a Chessboard will later showcase their music at the C/O Pop International Musical Festival in Cologne, Germany from June 19-23, the bureau said.
Since the establishment of the Ministry of Culture last year, the bureau has been trying to help more Taiwanese artists participate in international music festivals, bureau chief Chu Wen-ching said at a press conference.
'The European market is one of our main targets,' Chu stated.
Thanks to the bureau's efforts, Taiwanese artists were able to participate in the MIDEM (Marche International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale) music industry trade fair in Cannes, France for several years now, the Liverpool festival in the past two years, and the C/O pop festival last year, Chu said.
Chu said he hopes the six bands that are scheduled to go abroad this year will show the world the strength, passion and vibrancy of Taiwan's music.
Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Matzka said his band will incorporate indigenous dance into its performance to share Taiwanese culture with the audiences at the Liverpool festival.
Lu Lu-ming, a member of Empty Space on a Chessboard, said his band will show videos of social issues, such as Taiwan's anti-nuclear movement, during their performance to interact with the audience.
