The 12th Hohaiyan Rock Festival, featuring 102 local and overseas bands, will be the summer highlight at Fulong Beach in northern Taiwan’s Gongliao Township, according to event organizer New Taipei City Government June 6.
“The festival, which runs July 6 to 10, was extended by popular demand from three to five days,” city officials said. “We expect 600,000 revelers to descend upon the seaside town for this annual event.”
Opening acts for Hohaiyan include Taiwanese indie bands Kou Chou Ching, Matzka, Soda Green, The Chairman and White Eyes. Overseas outfits such as Chou Pi Jiang, Inspector Cluzo, Good 4 Nothing, Silverstein, Supper Moment and Van Coke Kartel from Singapore, France, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong and South Africa, respectively, will also perform during the festival.
City officials said daily scheduled activities will conclude in a blaze of light and color at 10 p.m. with three-minute fireworks displays over the sea.
In response to Hohaiyan’s increased popularity, city officials said extra train services have been laid on by the Taiwan Railway Administration. “We urge music lovers to opt for public transportation instead of driving as a means to curb heavy traffic.”
City officials said they plan to cash in on the large number of people participating in the event by offering for the first time Hohaiyan merchandise such as caps, T-shirts, flip-flops and bags.
Launched in 2000, Hohaiyan Rock Festival is one of Taiwan’s largest and longest running free outdoor music events. (JSM)
Write to Kwangyin Liu at kwangyin.liu@mail.gio.gov.tw