Kicking off its 8th edition, the 2024 World Music Festival @ Taiwan (WMFT) will bring together around 100 local and international musicians across three professional stages from October 11th to 13th at Taipei Music Center. Hosted by the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development (Ministry of Culture) and organized by Wind Music, WMFT has welcomed over 200,000 participants since its inception, earning a stellar reputation for its commitment to diverse musical genres and fostering cultural exchange.
Under the theme “Groove to Your Addiction”, the festival will feature 28 performances from Taiwan and 10 other countries spanning Asia, Europe, and North America. Since transitioning to a showcase festival last year, WMFT has helped numerous local artists perform abroad, including at prestigious events like Colours of Ostrava, Tallinn Music Week, and ACC World Music Festival. This year, 16 showcase groups, selected from 169 applicants, will take the stage, aiming to capture the attention of a global audience.
The festival kicks off on October 11th with the Friday Night Spotlight, featuring the Neapolitan trio Suonno D’Ajere, who will enchant the audience with classical Neapolitan music accompanied by the iconic Italian mandolin. Another must-see highlight is the “Showcase Band Spotlight” presented by Amis indigenous DJ Dungi Sapor, alongside Taiwu Ballads Troupe from the Paiwan tribe. This collaboration, fusing Indigenous Taiwanese traditional music with electronic elements, will create a unique and powerful experience.
With sub-themes like “Hooked on Music, Immersed in Music, Touched by Music”, the weekend lineup is set to deliver a sensory feast. Performances include Afro-Congolese electro music pioneer Kizaba (CA/CG), Japanese sensation MINYO CRUSADERS, and Namgar, a band hailing from Buryatia, praised by the New York Times as the “Mongolian Björk.” The Southeast Asian lineup will showcase Tuni Sundatang from Sabah and Malaysian folk band NAUNGAN. Bringing a strong ethnic flair from East Asia, Shanren (CN) will showcase their fusion of Yunnan folk rock, while Tulegur (CN) blends Mongolian psychedelic rock with traditional Khoomei throat singing.
In addition to highly recognizable sounds, technical prowess will be on display. A key collaboration is “Harmonic Taiwan: Island Rhythms”, featuring the revitalized ancient melodies of Spectro7 (TW) and the magnetic voice of Luantan Ascent (TW), creating a new genre of fusion. Wooonta (TW), blending erhu and sitar, ShengXiang Band (TW) with their contemporary folk-rock, and akira.drums (JP) will also bring dynamic percussion-driven performances.
Audiences can also look forward to global sounds, such as the archaic resonance of the Mehmet Polat Quartet (NL) and the Middle Eastern electronic blues of SHIRAN & BAKAL (IL). Another collaboration to anticipate is “Women’s Strength, Diverse Voices” on the final day, featuring The Tune (S. KR), Namgar (BU), and Taiwan’s Outlet Drift, combining shamanic, mystical, and indigenous sounds.
The festival not only provides an immersive experience for audiences but serves as a vital platform for artists. 18 international delegates—including festival curators, program directors, agents, and music media professionals—will participate in two international forums and the debut of the Music Roundtable on October 11th and 12th. Taiwan’s music industry professionals will engage in in-depth discussions with international guests, covering topics such as artist mobility, networking, technological innovation, and music documentation.
Additionally, the three-day event will feature Earth Bazaars, offering a unique blend of music, artisanal crafts, and food vendors, including Montreal smoked meat sandwiches, Taiwanese indigenous craft beer, Tunisian cuisine, handwoven textiles from the Thai-Myanmar border, Daf drums, and traditional Japanese Hogaku culture.
Minna Huuskonen (FI), a 2023 WMFT delegate with over 20 years of experience, remarked, “I was especially impressed by the Indigenous music and amazed at how this small island nurtures such a vibrant and flourishing music scene.” Over the past seven years, WMFT has become a vital platform for elevating Taiwanese musicians to the international stage, expanding their global reach and influence.
Under the theme ‘Groove to Your Addiction,’ this year’s festival showcases the dedication, professionalism, and passion of its artists, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the powerful rhythms that drive their music. As one of Taiwan’s premier music festivals, the event aims to foster a deeper appreciation for diverse musical expressions and ignite a lasting curiosity for cultural exploration and connection. As a key hub in the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan plays a pivotal role in global culture, trade, and geopolitics. For those eager to explore the world music scene, mark your calendars for October and embark on this musical journey in Taiwan.
Event Information:
Dates: October 11th – 13th, 2024
Venue: Taipei Music Center (Live House D, Legacy TERA, Outdoor Space)
Ticket Purchase:
Klook: https://tinyurl.com/3pv8r47c
KKTIX: https://bit.ly/2024wmf-kktix
Ticket Prices:
Friday Single Day: Single Ticket NTD$360 / Pair Ticket NTD$650
Weekend Single Day (choose either day): Single Ticket NTD$480 / Pair Ticket NTD$900
Three-Day Pass: Single Ticket NTD$1,250 / Pair Ticket NTD$2,350
