Navigating Taiwan’s Independent Electronic Music Scene
This lecture will begin by discussing the founding journey of The Cave and its experience in managing event spaces, introducing the transformations and development of The Cave since its inception. Through sharing past event case studies, we will explore the label’s initial goals and the strategic adjustments made to adapt to market demands, as well as how it has contributed to shaping the local party scene.
Drawing from experience, the lecture will analyze the challenges faced by Taiwan’s independent electronic music industry, including audience acceptance, cultural differences, and policy-related difficulties, while also looking ahead to the future of the music scene. Additionally, the lecture will expand to a global perspective, sharing recent trends in the global electronic music market. By incorporating insights from the speaker’s recent visits to various countries, we will explore the differences and similarities between party cultures worldwide and the Asian electronic music scene, providing the audience with a multifaceted view of the industry.
WANG Ta-Wei is the founder and head of The Cave and Cave Records. He was previously the bassist for a psychedelic rock band, later diving into electronic music production, synthesizers, sound engineering, and audiovisual arts. Since 2014, he has curated and organized a series of events under the Cave label, such as “Stone Age Paradise ” “HTNO-Hard Tek No Order” “GD2022 ” “Rave Nu World,” and “Underground Ritual.” Through his label, he has hosted over 300 music events and continues to connect with music labels worldwide, aiming to promote Taiwan’s party culture within the global dance music scene.
As a DJ, he enjoys playing genres like Hardcore, Techno, Drum and Bass, and Breakbeat. Recently, he’s been collecting dance tracks featuring folk sounds from around the world. His selection is diverse, and he knows how to energize and stimulate the dance floor. He has performed extensively across Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Macau, and is continuously expanding his reach.