This summer I went back to Taiwan to visit family. Luckily a rock/metal music festival was taking place in Taichung while I was in the country. The two-day lineup had a lot of bands that I hadn't heard of, and a lot that I've wanted to hear for a while, but with other pressing matters at hand, my sister and I opted to only go on the first day of the festival.
Because Taiwan, in all parts, is sweltering hot and humid and basically unbearable on every given day, we waited til the last minute to enter the park. Actually we were late, because BORN had already gone through a few songs of their set.
BORN
There were far fewer people than I subconsciously expected, but of course the majority of the audience were female (as is common for fans of the visual-kei genre). Because Taiwan's in close proximity to Japan, furi, or choreographed movements, were preserved for this show. Not everyone knew them, but just enough fans knew the furi to make the band feel like they had some real solid fans overseas.
Their energy was high, despite the heat and their costumes, and put on a great show. There was a bit of a mishap with the projection behind them, but that didn't let that hinder their performance.
It's hard to believe that they're still indies, considering how they've gone abroad to play a lot in comparison to the other bands in their agency. Unfortunately, I've forgotten to note their setlist, but know for certain that it included all of their greatest hits (which is what usually happens at music fests).
Goods
After BORN's set ended, it was so hot we finished our one and only bottle of water in seconds. So, my sister and I made our trek to the nearest 7-11 to buy cold drinks. Then we headed into the never-ever-ever-ending merchandise line. Now, I really wanted SiM's towel--or anything I could get, really, for getting there late--but I knew that was out of my reach. Luckily the two death metal panda shirts I wanted were still in stock. I couldn't decide on a colorway, my sister wasn't a big help, and buying two tees was cheaper, so I just got one of both. No regrets. Love the panda. Maybe not the most professional shirt to wear out, but I love them to bits. +2 to my t-shirt collection.
SiM
When we finally made it back in line, we hurried back over to the stage to catch SiM's set. The crowd was enormous in comparison to the sparse crowd that was there an hour ago for BORN. We weren't too close, but I wasn't particularly concerned because I knew the circle pit would come along and I'd use that to cycle closer to the stage.
Speaking of which, their circle pit nearly killed me. It was already hot and humid, so adding in all the hot and humid bodies of bigger-than-me dudes made it really hard to breathe. I was able to get closer to the front, but I went off to the side a bit because I couldn't breathe...
They were gooood. Their energy was good, but you could tell they underestimated the heat here. Thanks for toughing it out, guys! Hopefully they'll come to the States and I'll be able to appreciate them to the fullest--without being at risk of getting a heat stroke.
I don't remember their exact set order, but here are (some of?) the songs they played.
PANDORA
AMY
GET UP,GET UP
KILLING ME
BLAH BLAH BLAH
WHO’S NEXT
SAME SKY
WE’RE ALL ALONE
JACK.B
FASTER THEN THE CLOCK
F.A.I.T.H
Minutes after SiM's set ended this shit happened. It was pouring so hard from the typhoon that the next set was delayed.
This photo was taken just minutes before the hellstorm of rain.
I wish I could've taken this home with me somehow.
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