“Playing this event is a dream come true for many performers,” Chang said. “I am honored to be here together with the audience, witnessing Taiwan’s homegrown rock spirit.”
Chang, who is also known by his Amis aboriginal name Ayal Komod, delivered a powerful final set at opening of the five-day event, leaving an estimated crowd of 90,000 with no doubts over the authenticity of his rock pedigree.
Held at Fulong Beach for the 15th consecutive year, the festival features the theme of Come Together. Independent bands from across Asia, including Hong Kong’s 9AM, Japan’s D=OUT, Malaysia’s Manhand, Singapore’s Ahfive and mainland China’s Nine Treasures, all contributed handsomely to making the first day one to remember.
The event was pushed back 24 hours as a result of inclement weather triggered by Typhoon Neoguri. Undeterred by the threat of rain and high winds, concertgoers turned up in droves, prompting organizers to estimate a final day attendance of 800,000, up 30 percent from last year.
Highlights during the event include the Day 2 Taiwan Rock n’ Roll Cheer On extravaganza, a live playoff by Hohaiyan Indie Music Award finalists on Day 3, local songstress A-Mei’s concert on Day 4 and the reunion of Hohaiyan alumni such as Cheer Chen, Crowd Lu, Matzka and Sodagreen on Day 5.
According to organizers, the awards attracted hundreds of entries, with three tough rounds of preliminaries required to sort the wheat from the chaff. The winner will claim the prestigious Ocean Banner and join a stellar lineup of past honorees.
First introduced in 2000, Hohaiyan is organized by New Taipei City Government and one of Taiwan’s largest and longest running free outdoor music events. (YHC-JSM)
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