In the heart of Taipei at Legacy — a venue renowned for hosting diverse musical acts — Alvvays, a Grammy-nominated ensemble from Canada, delivered a compelling performance last week. With a fusion of indie-dream pop and shoegaze influences, Alvvays enthralled the audience with their catchy, introspective melodies and refined stage presence.
Legacy, brimming with subdued anticipation, served as the ideal setting for Alvvays’ show. Almost reaching its full capacity, the venue buzzed with excitement as the band took the stage. Off Time Production, the local organizers, infused a unique touch by having a hipster pizzeria, Under The Bridge, cater the event. Offering tantalizing NT$100 slices alongside obscure IPAs and Taihu branded beer, their offerings sold out swiftly, adding a distinct flavor to the night.
Alvvays commenced their set with an anthemic rendition of Pharmacist, establishing the mood for an immersive evening. The band’s stage presence blended soothing, delectable, and occasionally ambitious elements especially from guitarist Alec O’Hanley. However, initial bright stage lighting obscured the projected visuals, prompting lead singer Molly Rankin to request dimmer lights for a more enigmatic ambiance.
Photo: Steven Vigar
“It’s a bit hot up here. Can we turn down the lights? We need to create a bit more mystery,” she said during a break between songs.
As the lighting dimmed, the atmosphere shifted seamlessly with their next song, Belinda Says, aligning perfectly with the band’s ethereal tunes.
Interactions with the audience were brief but impactful. Molly’s acknowledgment of this being the band’s inaugural visit to Taiwan garnered the loudest cheers, demonstrating the audience’s familiarity with the band’s journey.
Photo: Steven Vigar
“But it sounds like you know that!” she playfully responded.
Alvvays’ performance replicated their recorded tracks meticulously, highlighting their seasoned expertise and tireless dedication. Each song showcased the band’s exceptional musicianship, resonating magnetically with the crowd.
While maintaining their signature sound, Alvvays surprised the audience by accepting requests for their encore. The crowd eagerly shouted their favorite tracks, culminating in a thrilling rendition of Next of Kin, further solidifying the audience’s connection with the band.
However, the audience’s demeanor was unique compared to Western concert-goers. Reflecting the band’s style, attendees swayed politely, mirroring the dreamy melodies with a thoughtful yet subdued engagement. Molly charmingly acknowledged these differences in Taiwanese audience interaction, a touch that resonated well.
“You guys can get louder, you know! We are used to loud, rowdy North American crowds,” she quipped.
This brief interaction momentarily elevated the crowd’s engagement, enhancing the intimate atmosphere.
Alvvays’ performance in Taipei was a serene journey, enveloping the audience in captivating melodies and refined stage presence. The concert showcased the ensemble’s talent, leaving a lasting impression on a crowd eager to embrace their favorite indie-pop tunes. Alvvays proved to be stalwarts of indie rock, their presence in Taipei reaffirming the city’s dedication to reviving its music scene post-COVID-19 — a reminder of the importance of cherishing and fostering such experiences.
That US assistance was a model for Taiwan’s spectacular development success was early recognized by policymakers and analysts. In a report to the US Congress for the fiscal year 1962, former President John F. Kennedy noted Taiwan’s “rapid economic growth,” was “producing a substantial net gain in living.” Kennedy had a stake in Taiwan’s achievements and the US’ official development assistance (ODA) in general: In September 1961, his entreaty to make the 1960s a “decade of development,” and an accompanying proposal for dedicated legislation to this end, had been formalized by congressional passage of the Foreign Assistance Act. Two
March 31 to April 6 On May 13, 1950, National Taiwan University Hospital otolaryngologist Su You-peng (蘇友鵬) was summoned to the director’s office. He thought someone had complained about him practicing the violin at night, but when he entered the room, he knew something was terribly wrong. He saw several burly men who appeared to be government secret agents, and three other resident doctors: internist Hsu Chiang (許強), dermatologist Hu Pao-chen (胡寶珍) and ophthalmologist Hu Hsin-lin (胡鑫麟). They were handcuffed, herded onto two jeeps and taken to the Secrecy Bureau (保密局) for questioning. Su was still in his doctor’s robes at
Last week the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said that the budget cuts voted for by the China-aligned parties in the legislature, are intended to force the DPP to hike electricity rates. The public would then blame it for the rate hike. It’s fairly clear that the first part of that is correct. Slashing the budget of state-run Taiwan Power Co (Taipower, 台電) is a move intended to cause discontent with the DPP when electricity rates go up. Taipower’s debt, NT$422.9 billion (US$12.78 billion), is one of the numerous permanent crises created by the nation’s construction-industrial state and the developmentalist mentality it
Experts say that the devastating earthquake in Myanmar on Friday was likely the strongest to hit the country in decades, with disaster modeling suggesting thousands could be dead. Automatic assessments from the US Geological Survey (USGS) said the shallow 7.7-magnitude quake northwest of the central Myanmar city of Sagaing triggered a red alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. “High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,” it said, locating the epicentre near the central Myanmar city of Mandalay, home to more than a million people. Myanmar’s ruling junta said on Saturday morning that the number killed had