｜ MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: Pop Music in Taiwan
3 floors, 12 exhibition zones, 14 quotes, 111 songs, 1326 exhibits.
Growing with the nourishment of this land, thriving with the freedom of this air.
MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: POP MUSIC IN TAIWAN
Connecting the past and future of Taiwanese and Mandarin pop music across generations.
｜Our song, Our era
For over a hundred years, this land has been telling stories through songs, sweeping through the Chinese-speaking world and impacting billions of lives. Whether in authoritarian times or in today's open-minded society, these musicians and their songs have transcended generations and space, breaking boundaries and leaving vivid memories in everyone's lives. Whether it's about everyday life or expressing a greater purpose, whether you're a rocker or an idealist, a trendsetter or a dream chaser, there's a song that belongs to each of us, and here you will find your own story.
Let's open our ears and eyes, and together enter the hall of pop music, listening attentively to the songs that belong to this island, embarking on a rich musical journey.
｜Prologue: Chords of Memories
Music has always been by our side, with each song bearing witness to turbulent times and shifts in power. In the hearts of every generation, there are songs that belong uniquely to them.
｜Taipei Circle
In the early days, folk songs could only be passed down through word of mouth. In the 1930s, with the drop of the needle and the emergence of recorded music, Taiwan had its first own popular song. From the "Gēzǐběn" in the Japanese colonial period to radios, phonographs, and the "Qupán" and cassette tapes in the streets and record stores, Taipei Circle undoubtedly witnessed the early development of popular music in Taiwan and enriched the ears of several generations.
｜時代電器行
From pocket-sized transistor radios to black-and-white to color televisions, and then portable cassette recorders, not to mention cassette Walkmans, etc. Even the small display window of an electronics store has witnessed the musical era we have experienced.
｜Taipei Theater (The Story of Movie Theme Songs)
In 1932, "Tears of Peach Blossom" became one of the earliest popular songs in Taiwan and served as the theme song for the film of the same name. Since then, there has been a deep connection between popular music and the film industry. The heyday of the film industry also marked a prosperous period for the record industry, leaving behind numerous classic works such as "One Red Egg," "Spring Breeze," and "Harbor Night Rain," which have become widely known songs.
｜Train
With the development of modernization and urbanization, trains carry wanderers from their hometowns to distant places in pursuit of their dreams. These trains bear the weight of dreams and the melancholy of leaving home. The rhythm of songs accompanies this island's transition from an agricultural society to an industrialized one, and now to a predominantly service-based modern society.
｜Singing Your Own Song (Folk Song Era)
There was a time when young people relied on a guitar, a songbook, and a portable cassette recorder to record their demos and sing their own songs. These songs were filled with artistic sentiments, often combining poetry and music, adding a deeper literary dimension to popular music. They laid a solid foundation for the development of popular music in the future.
｜The young people's inner world
The political and social atmosphere in Taiwan gradually loosened in the 1980s, giving birth to many songs with attitude. These songs resonated with the frustrations and anxieties of successive generations of young people, while also singing about their dreams and innocence. Every word and phrase revealed their youthful passion.
｜Music Love Story
In life, there is always a song that sings about the joy, sorrow, hesitation, confusion, and all the unknown emotions you experience while in love. When the familiar melody plays, who comes to your mind? Is it your beloved or your former self?
｜The Birth of a Record
The completion of an album involves various stages and requires the collaboration of professionals in areas such as songwriting, arrangement, recording, vocal harmonies, post-production, visual design, marketing, and promotion. Let's take a look at how an album is produced from start to finish.
｜The Charm of Music (The Diversity and Inclusiveness of Taiwanese Music)
Taiwan, as a land, encompasses a rich and diverse culture. In addition to featuring songs in languages such as Taiwanese, Hakka, indigenous languages, and those of new residents, Taiwan is also regarded as a vital hub for popular Mandarin music by artists from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and other regions. Thanks to this inclusive spirit of embracing diverse influences, Taiwan is filled with a wide range of musical genres, including ballads, rock, dance music, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music.
｜Live Music Performance
In the 1990s, underground bands performed in rudimentary pubs, and singer-songwriters started performing in live houses. Over time, these music venues, once labeled as "underground" and "marginal," gradually transformed into creative hubs for diverse music cultures. In recent years, various music festivals and music events have attracted tens of thousands of audiences, bringing together like-minded musicians and connecting them. Today, "indie music" has become the "mainstream" in the hearts of young people.
｜The Stage of Life (Concert Interactive Area)
The team utilizes a large-scale four-sided projection, combined with meticulously designed stage lighting and lasers, to recreate the breathtaking experience of a live concert using the latest technology. Open your ears and eyes wide and fully enjoy this music feast!
*In the concert experience zone, please take off your shoes and enter wearing socks.
