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Taipei's "Underground Society": Should We Stay Or Should We Go?
The revolt can help to understand some important trends within Taiwan's youth musical culture
 Discussion on Taipei's "Underground Society" livehouse going out of business
Date: September 22, 2012 Saturday 2pm-4pm
Guest: Dr. Dong Hong He (Associate Professor of Psychology Department at Fu Jen Catholic University)
Chinese pop music Research Team: http://blog.sina.com.cn/liuxingyinyueyanjiu - http://site.douban.com/130836
Taiwan's independent music community was hit by a proverbial storm on July 2012. The livehouse "Underground Society" has been hosting performances by the country's indie acts for nearly 16 years in the Southern district of Taipei. Located in a university neighborhood, many of the residents and shops strongly objected to the livehouse's presence, demanding they move out of the area.
In response, Underground Society launched a revolt dubbed "Live House Recognition." It achieved some notable milestones such as the support of over 400 participants at the Legislators' Press Conference, and more than 200 participants who surrounded Minister of Culture Long-Yin Tai. Underground Society followed up with a non-stop free concert on July 15th from noon till midnight, with about 300 people staying overnight at the park where they had performed. Although Underground Society resumed operations on August 15, 2012, the disagreement was not resolved.
This wave of dispute was one of the most reported news stories in Taiwanese media. Thus, the revolt can help to understand some important trends within Taiwan's youth musical culture.
The discussion will address the following discussion topics:
1. The importance of small performance space (less than 100 audiences) to the youth/ independent music culture.
2. Independent/ rock music culture influenced by the support from the government, and its standing in the reality.
3. The conflict between the independent music community and the Taiwanese middle class? Is there chance of mutual existence?
After Dr. Dong Hong He obtained his Ph.D. degree from Lancaster University of England, he taught at Fu Jen Catholic University of Taiwan as a Psychology Associate Professor. His research field includes pop music, Youth Culture and Politics, Cultural Economics, Contemporary Critical Theory and Qualitative Social Science research. Dr. He is also the founder of the "Underground Society" live house.
Related MusicDish e-Journal Articles:
» Taipei's "Underground Society": Should We Stay Or Should We Go? - Taipei's "Underground Society": Should We Stay Or Should We Go? (2012-09-14)
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