Why is World Music more than music? Discover this at the World Music Festival @ Taiwan

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Music is the universal language of mankind.
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

In a world where borders no longer stand in the way, everyone is part of this heavenly place. Music remains one of the most powerful tools to bridge the gap between cultures, celebrate diversity, and help us share warmth and understanding with each other. World Music refers to traditional, folk, and contemporary music from various cultures worldwide. It acts as a medium for us to understand friendly expressions from people across the globe, even if it’s our first time encountering them. Thus, World Music plays a crucial role on the global stage by fostering unity among people across the world.

Music has a unique way of communicating that transcends language barriers, connecting with listeners on a deep emotional level. Many World Music artists use their platform to address global issues such as poverty, war, and inequality. One of the clearest examples is Bob Marley, the Jamaican artist whose reggae music became a symbol of peace. He used his music to promote social justice and human rights.

Another important role of World Music is that of a cultural ambassador. It introduces listeners to traditions they may not be familiar with. These musical expressions often convey historical, social, and religious contexts. For example, the rhythms of African drumming or the intricate harmonies of Qawwali music from South Asia are unique musical expressions that tell stories about the people, places, and events within those societies.

World Music helps break down cultural barriers, encouraging people to step beyond what they know, to embrace new traditions, and to foster mutual understanding and empathy.

It also plays a vital role in preserving cultural heritage from the dominance of Western music styles in global media. Playing and performing traditional music is a way of safeguarding these traditions from fading away. Some of these traditions have been passed down orally for centuries. Having a platform for them to be performed and appreciated increases the chances of their survival.

Globally, there are many well-known World Music festivals, such as WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) and the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia. These festivals provide a stage for artists from diverse regions to share their music with global audiences. These events celebrate the beauty of cultural diversity while offering opportunities to preserve lesser-known music traditions in a rapidly changing world.

Just like Taiwan, which hosts the World Music Festival @ Taiwan (WMFT), now in its 8th year, supported by the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development under the Taiwan Ministry of Culture and organized by Wind Music team, the festival has consistently gained a strong reputation. This success stems from its commitment to promoting a diverse range of musical genres and fostering cultural exchange.

Despite being an island nation, Taiwan is home to various indigenous groups, such as the Amis and Pangcah tribes, as well as the Tayal people, who have their own traditions of singing and dancing to celebrate the harvest season. These celebrations attract both young people, who have moved to larger cities for work, and tourists fascinated by the culture. Every year, the festival becomes a gathering point, contributing to a steadily growing tourism economy.

One of the key factors in this growth is the music itself, which captivates tourists from all over the world. World Music has an economic impact as well. As interest in this genre grows, so does the demand for concerts and festivals that showcase diverse musical traditions. This provides opportunities for artists from marginalized communities to earn a living from their art, attracting tourism and bringing economic benefits to local communities. World Music, therefore, plays a significant role in the commercial music industry as well.

The 8th WMFT returns this year in grand style under the theme “Groove to Your Addiction,” featuring 28 performances from Taiwan and 10 other countries across Asia, Europe, and North America. Since transitioning to a showcase festival last year, WMFT has opened doors for many local artists to perform at major international music festivals such as Colours of Ostrava, Tallinn Music Week, and the ACC World Music Festival.

This year, 16 showcase bands selected from 169 applicants will take the stage to capture the attention of a global audience. The festival will run for three full days, from October 11–13, at the Taipei Music Center.

The festival not only provides an unforgettable experience for the audience but also serves as a crucial platform for artists. It will be attended by 18 international delegates, including festival organizers, program directors, and global music media representatives. They will participate in seminars and the launch of the Music Roundtable, where experts from Taiwan’s music industry will discuss topics such as advancing artists’ careers globally, building strong international connections, integrating modern technological innovations into traditional music, and preserving World Music for future generations.

The performances at the World Music Festival @ Taiwan (WMFT) will kick off on October 11th, with the Friday night highlight being the “Showcase Band Spotlight.” One of the standout acts is the Taiwu Ballads Troupe, a group selected for their unique acappella singing style, which originates from the Paiwan tribe’s folk traditions. Their performance combines these ancient songs with elements of modern music, creating a fresh fusion. For the first time, they will collaborate with Dungi Sapor, a rising electronic music DJ from the Amis tribe, blending the troupe’s beautiful mountain vocals with global rhythms to create a truly new musical experience for the audience.

As a young artist, Dungi Sapor shared with us that World Music has been influenced very little by Western trends, leaving vast musical possibilities yet to be explored. She finds the incorporation of indigenous sounds into electronic music particularly fascinating. While Taiwan has many talented DJs, not everyone is capable of mastering this unique fusion, and she is excited to take on the challenge and do it to the best of her ability.

It’s not just the unique sound of the music that makes this festival stand out; every artist performing at the event is exceptionally talented, on par with world-renowned musicians. One of the most anticipated performances is “Harmonic Taiwan: Island Rhythms,” a collaboration between Luantan Ascent, a trailblazing rock legend in Taiwan who has won multiple prestigious awards such as the Golden Horse, Golden Melody, and Golden Bell, and Spectro 7, a band known for their daring fusion of diverse musical styles. Together, they will reinterpret the concept of “Taiwanese rock music” in a way that’s never been heard before, blending melodies from past eras to create powerful, energetic music.

Spectro 7 aims to break down the vague boundaries of World Music by moving beyond labels of ethnicity or race. Instead, they focus on sharing rich cultural experiences, allowing artists to exchange pure emotions through music. It’s no wonder they are bold in crafting their own unique musical style, challenging conventional notions and embracing a more profound expression of culture through their sound.

Another unmissable performance is “Women’s Strength, Diverse Voices” on the final day of the festival, especially the show by Outlet Drift, an experimental psychedelic rock band from Taiwan. Their music is mesmerizing, filled with hypnotic rhythms, a heavy bassline that feels like waves crashing against the rocks, dynamic drum patterns that shift with emotional intensity, and guitar riffs that whisper before roaring with power. This fusion creates a sound that channels rage and energy, making each performance unique and capable of stirring deep emotions in the audience.

In addition to the performances, the festival features a separate zone called Earth Bazaars, which brings together music, handicrafts, and food from around the world. It caters to music lovers with diverse tastes, and one of the highlights is the locally brewed Taiwanese craft beer, a source of pride for the nation. The bazaar also offers products from marginalized communities, providing a platform for indigenous groups to sell their crafts and generate income.

Under the overarching theme of “Groove to Your Addiction,” this year’s festival emphasizes the dedication of the artists, inviting the audience to lose themselves in the rhythm that drives the pure hearts of all involved. As one of Taiwan’s premier music festivals, it seeks to promote the enjoyment of diverse musical styles while igniting interest in exploring unfamiliar cultures.

Check out the WMFT playlist featuring this year’s most interesting artists:

As we mentioned earlier, the WMFT is supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, just like other music festivals across the country. You might wonder why the government provides space for non-mainstream artists. The reason lies in the importance of celebrating cultural diversity and supporting art forms that aren’t part of the global mainstream. By giving these artists a platform, the government encourages cultural exchange, helps preserve unique musical traditions, and fosters a deeper understanding between different communities.

The answer might lie in what Outlet Drift told us: in recent years, many countries have developed World Music to promote and export their alternative music to the global stage. There’s nothing that showcases a nation’s vision and identity better than music. The Taiwanese government has heavily invested in its music industry, ensuring it stands alongside other countries on the international scene.

Taiwan isn’t just interested in saying that its music is intriguing; they want to show the world that the country itself has the potential and is ready to be part of global trends while maintaining its unique identity.

Thailand also has standout World Music artists, even though it’s not as well established as countries with their own music festivals. However, when it comes to artists who can represent a “Thai” sound on the global stage, a few names do come to mind.

First, we cannot overlook The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, which blends traditional Molam music with modern sounds seamlessly. Their latest album, Araya Lam, incorporates Western music techniques into Thai fun, creating a sophisticated and masterfully designed sound that is both entertaining and artful. They performed at WMFT 2023, delivering an unforgettable show.

Another rising name is FORD TRIO, a young band that elevates Thai sounds within the realm of funk. All three members are highly skilled, crafting a distinct yet contemporary Thai sound. Their collaboration with Taiwan’s Mong Tong proves their talent and musical creativity.

Thailand is also home to many Molam troupes, known locally as “Luk Thung”. However, the Thai government has not yet seen the opportunity to promote and export these cultural treasures on a global scale. In the past, The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band toured Europe on their own. If the Thai government were to recognize the importance of such initiatives and send them to events like WMFT, it could be a great start to showcasing Thailand’s unique sound to the world. It could open doors for Thai music and help the local music scene grow in new directions.
This might require the attention of the Creative Economy Agency (CEA) as well, as they may need to consider this segment of the music market.

When asked why everyone should attend the World Music Festival @ Taiwan at least once in their life, here’s the charming invitation from Outlet Drift:

“First of all, we must thank the organizers. It’s not easy to pull off a festival like this successfully for the eighth time—they deserve applause and full support. Taiwan needs to discover more new music because what makes this festival so special is that you can listen to a wide variety of music in one place. It will completely change your perspective and ideas about music. Taiwan alone has immense musical diversity. Don’t limit yourself to just one genre—the world is full of unexplored rhythms. If you’re a musician, you must experience this at least once. This festival will inspire you and give you a fresh outlook. Music has no boundaries! Musicians should come to this festival. Office workers should come. Couples should come—everyone should come. Bring your family and enjoy it together.”

As we’ve mentioned before, World Music serves as a bridge for cross-cultural collaboration and musical innovation. When artists from different cultures work together, they often combine their musical styles to create something entirely new. This not only enhances the diversity of global music but also symbolizes cultural harmony. It is essential for the music industry and for fostering peace across all nations. It shows how art can unite people rather than divide them.

To wrap things up, I’ll leave you with a cool phrase, just like in the introduction: “Make Music, Not War.”

Discover more information about the World Music Festival in Taiwan here: https://wmftaiwan.com/en/2024en
Buy Tickets: HERE