One of LBM’s New Year resolutions was to check out more Taiwanese bands. Over the past few years, the island has been pumping out one great act after another and more importantly has been building its fan base with mainlanders. Which is great for just about everyone – especially those looking to expand their borders and get a sense of how finely tuned these musicians are over there. Beijing’s SNSOS – one of our cities most underrated acts – and a band I’ve spilled plenty of ink over – hosted two wildly different yet distinct Taiwanese acts – Midnight Ping-Ping and Heartbroken. SNSOS knocked it out of the park – even with a new guitarist they felt more animated than usual, relish each twist and turn of their set, all the while sneaking some killer new sounds. I fanboyed over Midnight Ping-Ping quite a bit – a tight indie pop band that relishes in sun-soaked city pop ditties and guitar heavy melodies with effortless enthusiasm. No bullshit – just streamlined indie ditties that hit their target every time. Heartbroken had a tough act to follow but I’ll be damned, they impressed the hell out of me – a barstool anthemic punk band that felt like a cross between David Bowie (mainly the gangly singers deeply felt voice) and The Hold Steady (with a touch of Springsteen hometown reliability). A bit monotone by the time they reached the end of their set but there was no denying their magnetism. All in all, a killer Sunday night (a rarity for me) and the first of many acts I plan on checking out from Taiwan this year.
Related Articles

New Releases
New Music: SNSOS, YangJi x GG Lobster, Endless White, gogoj
SNSOS – LINE Four-piece instrumental rockers – known for their beguiling blend of math rock playfulness, dream pop pulp, and post rock crescendos that’s spirited, intricately assembled, and brimming with life’ – return with a three-track EP that furthers the band’s autumn-hued flirtation with emo […]

On The Scene
Gig Recap: Foster Parents, SNSOS, Backspace, Boiled Hippo (School 2017.07.01)
Hosted Shanghai’s Foster Parents for the latest installment of Schoolhouse Rock and what an absolute blast. Good energy, good folks, and killer music from some of my favorite bands out there. Despite some technical difficulties that leave […]
Feature
LBM Offline: LBM Xmas Bash (DDC 23.12.2016)
Christmas comes early this year as Live Beijing Music and DDC team up for a special holiday treat – a pre-Christmas rager on Friday, December 23rd with a red hot lineup that’ll keep your toes […]
Be the first to comment