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The world’s leading promoters & the 55 top markets they operate in.
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Taiwan has maintained a demand for international content since the ‘90s – though almost all business is centred in Taipei, its capital city.
Three years ago, Taiwan made global headlines by hosting Asia’s first post-Covid arena shows while most of the world was still in lockdown. The island’s effective handling of the virus was praised by artists such as Yo-Yo Ma (who played his first post-pandemic live performance there), making Taiwan’s decision to reintroduce live concerts before the rest of the continent a watershed moment for the territory.
According to Michael Hosking of Midas Promotions, which has promoted shows by Justin Bieber, Bon Jovi, and Michael Jackson in the past, being a mainly one-city territory on an island presents a bit of a challenge for his firm. “Taiwan is great in that it possesses a very vibrant market, but because the live sector is very capital city-centric, the biggest challenge in Taiwan is booking a suitable venue for international artists,” he says. “The [13,000-capacity] Taipei Arena is booked solid through next year and beyond.”
“Taiwan is great in that it possesses a very vibrant market, but because the live sector is very capital city-centric, the biggest challenge in Taiwan is booking a suitable venue for international artists.”
Given Taiwan’s proclivity for rock bands, ballad crooners, and singer-songwriters, it’s no surprise that Live Nation booked Westlife, Il Divo, Junho, Suede, and Manic Street Preachers for this year’s calendar. The territory’s other major promoters have followed a similar formula, with AEG Asia bringing Sam Smith and Rex Orange County over.
Electronic music and its vast array of subgenres are also incredibly popular in Taiwan, with festivals such as Ultra headlining Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Martin Garrix, and a whole host of DJs for its comeback edition in April. The underground scene is thriving, too, with multi-hyphenate techno specialist Reboot Taipei celebrating its 20th anniversary with a couple of events this year that showcased prominent EDM maestros such as Indira Paganotto, Q’hey, Amelie Lens, and Farrago; and Evaporate booked Brazilian producer Marcal as the centrepiece for its Sublime show alongside other beatmakers.