Dong Tai Du Festival

Chinese independent music and arts enthusiasts are in for a treat this May. Dong Tai Du which translates directly as “Move Attitude” is the first installment of a bi-monthly independent music event, solely created to celebrate homegrown talents in music and the arts. The event will feature a powerhouse showcase of twelve local indie bands (spot your favourite) – Fetus, Zang Wang, Destroyer, Lang, Xerpant, Dropout, NAO, ManHand, Trendkill, ETC, Oracle and Gray Zone. Other performing acts include eight electronica groups: Dian Bang, Forbidden Culture, Fuca, Kokkamango, Rainf, Silent Prayer, IKA and Neuyabe. Meanwhile, metal fans can look forward to the Penang-based band Oracle and NAO, the indie metal band with their Primus-inspired sound and politically charged lyrics. Electro-pop Dian Bang revives the funk magic of the eighties while DJ Rainf will spit out his brand of outlandishly dark and pumping tunes from the drum b’ bass genre. Aside from music, Dong Tai Du will also showcase of Chinese indie art. There will be 20 booths allocated and each will display art in various media, which will also be for sale. Dubbed the “Creative Market,” it’s a chance for concertgoers to get their hands on or at least admire the artwork, handicraft, photographs, T-shirts and even books. Over the next few months, Dong Tai Du aims to be the premier Chinese independent body in South East Asia, not only through organisng the bi-monthly event, but also through releasing works under the Dong Tai Du indie label. The founders of Dong Tai Du hope that the venture will expose the works of individuals within the Chinese indie scene to a wider audience and inspire more like-minded individuals to use the Dong Tai Du platform to express themselves.

TEXT Nick Chong