Department of Cultural Affairs

The second edition of the international urban music festival 2026 TRENDY TAIPEI, organized by the Taipei City Government, is set to take place from August 22 to September 6. As a pre-event for the “Concert Economy” series, 2026 Taipei Super Live! officially kicked off its citywide Live Venue program on August 1, bringing together 27 distinctive live venues across Taipei and presenting a total of 78 performances over six consecutive weeks.

On the evening of August 11, the Department of Cultural Affairs hosted Jazz Salon Night at Sappho Live Jazz, one of Taipei’s iconic jazz landmarks. Through intimate live performances and conversations, the event offered guests an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural value and vitality of Taipei’s live venues.

Taipei City Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Tsai Shih-ping: This Year’s Event Expands to Connect 27 Live Venues Across Taipei

With “ENVY THE DRIP. Catch the Wave” as its central theme, 2026 Taipei Super Live! focuses on the new attitudes toward popular culture represented by Taiwan’s Generation Z. The event encourages everyone to express themselves boldly and explore the city’s diverse cultural landscape. By connecting live venues, music bars, and performance venues of different styles, the event also aims to introduce more people to Taipei’s rich and diverse music scene and establish a distinctive cultural brand for the city’s nightlife.

Last year marked the first edition of Taipei Super Live!, attracting more than 6,000 people to participating live venues. This year, the event has expanded further through public-private collaboration, successfully connecting 27 live venues across Taipei. With a wider range of performances and cultural experiences, the event seeks to further promote Taipei’s nighttime economy and music industry while allowing more people to experience the unique appeal of live performances firsthand.

TAIWAN LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION Chairman Hsu Li-ping: Step Into the Live Venues and Become Ambassadors for the City’s Musical Energy

Hsu Li-ping, Chairman of the TAIWAN LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, said that 2026 Taipei Super Live! is specifically inviting audiences to step inside participating live venues—not simply to attend an event, but to become active “experiencers” who can truly immerse themselves in the live venue environment and feel the impact of live music.

“Live venues are spaces where musicians share their work, and they are also among the most valuable assets of Taipei’s nightlife,” Hsu said. He hopes that through firsthand experiences and social media sharing, more people will be encouraged to visit these live venues before September 6 and experience the authentic energy of live performances.

Yeh Yun-ping on the Emotional Connection to Live Music: The “Sensory Resonance” Algorithms Can Never Provide

Renowned music critic Yeh Yun-ping has some thoughts on modern music-listening habits in the streaming era. Yeh noted that however convenient digital technology may be, it can never replace the emotional impact of experiencing music live.

“In the streaming era, we can play music from anywhere in the world with just a tap, but what we hear is often precisely predicted by algorithms,” said Yeh. “We’re drawn to live venues because there’s a kind of ‘warmth’ that can’t be digitized. The vibration of sound in the air, the resonance you feel in your body and your senses, and the collective experience shared by the crowd are forms of genuine emotion that even the most sophisticated headphones and screens cannot provide.”

CinCin Lee Explores the Transformation of Musical Memory: From Rebellious Noise to Gentle Stillness

Renowned musician CinCin Lee looked at the evolution of Taipei’s live venue scene through the lens of history and urban memory, taking guests on a journey through the transformation of the city’s music landscape.

“Taipei’s music scene has gone through a moving journey from ‘noise’ to ‘stillness.’ In the 1980s and 1990s, live venues were hotbeds of underground rebellion, filled with cries against social conventions, the sweat of rock music, and raw noise. Today, Taipei’s live venues have evolved into more diverse, refined, and inclusive music spaces.

“This transformation—from uninhibited noise to understated stillness—is a reflection of the maturity of this city’s cultural foundation. These live venues have carried the youth and memories of countless musicians while shaping Taipei’s distinctive sonic landscape.”

78 Performances Across Various Genres: A Selection of Highlights Continues to Heat Up Taipei

2026 Taipei Super Live! will continue through September 6, featuring a total of 78 performances spanning a wide range of genres, including jazz, pop, rock, electronic music, hip-hop, folk, and world music. Upcoming highlights include:

• Jazz and Big Band Highlights: On August 13, “Taiwan’s King of Drums,” Rich Huang, will give a jazz trio performance at Blackbird Coffee. On August 22, Sappho Live Jazz will present Brandon Lin & TruthSeeker with internationally acclaimed musician Eric Nakanishi. Meanwhile, Rhythmscape will present the 12-piece Golden Autumn Big Band on August 27, showcasing a powerful large ensemble rarely seen in Taiwan.
• High-Energy Rock and Latin Flavors: On August 14, EZ5 Live house will present Rhythms of Rio, bringing an immersive Latin atmosphere to Taipei. On August 19, China Pa Dining & Live Music will present Happy Valentine's Day Taipei, combining Swing Jazz with Chinese dining and drinking culture to create an immersive experience.
• International Exchanges and Cross-Genre Parties: On August 21, MOONDOG will bring Japanese band Wisteria and Hong Kong band Goodnight, Lillie together on the same stage. On September 4, PIPE Live Music will welcome Canadian Dream Pop band The Neverminds for their Asian debut. In addition, Gongguan Waterfront Plaza will host free live band performances on August 7 and September 4, while MAJI Square stage will present Mountain & Sea Electronic Music Party on September 5, blending electronic music with Indigenous culture.

Acclaimed Jazz Musicians Take the Stage, Offering a Firsthand Experience of the Spirit of Live Venues

The evening’s performance featured acclaimed jazz vocalist Jessie Lin as the lead singer, joined by special guests including saxophonist Hsieh Ming-yen, pianist Yeh Cheng-ting, double bassist Hsu Hsun-shun, and drummer Steven Ma.

Together, the five musicians delivered an improvisational performance blending traditional jazz, Bebop, and Bossa Nova. With their deep musical chemistry and dynamic stage presence, they immersed the guests in an intimate and captivating live music experience.

Taipei’s appeal lies in the continuous interaction of different cultures and creative energy, shaping the city’s distinctive character. The second edition of the international urban music festival 2026 TRENDY TAIPEI will take place from August 22 to September 6 with the theme TAIPEI IN VIBES.

Through three major dimensions—“Concert Economy,” “Industry Trends,” and “Urban Action”—the festival brings together 14 programs across the city. Among them, 2026 Taipei Super Live! is currently bringing the energy of live music to 27 live venues across Taipei.

The event will continue through September 6. The people of Taipei and visitors from other parts of Taiwan and around the world are warmly invited to step into a live venue and experience the unique soundscape of Taipei after dark.

For more information, see the official website of 2026 Taipei Super Live!