Breakout Asian bands from SXSW are featured in the official summary video released by Taiwan Beats Showcase

From Taipei to Texas, Taiwan’s vibrant soundscapes resonate across borders

The eagerly awaited recap video for Taiwan Beats Showcase, a flagship program that promotes Taiwan’s most vibrant musicians on the international scene, has been released. It offers an exhilarating visual journal that encapsulates the vitality, artistry, and cultural spirit of its exceptional representatives.

This year, six innovative performers are highlighted: Amazing Show, Enno Cheng, Each of them—?te (Whyte), TRASH, HSIEN CHING, and Andr—brings a distinct sound signature that captures the dynamic nature of Taiwanese modern music. Fans worldwide, particularly the insatiably curious music enthusiasts of the Philippines, are welcome to relive the excitement and energy of Taiwan’s display at SXSW 2025 through the summary.

Organized under the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development (BAMID), Ministry of Culture, this year’s edition revolved around the theme, Connection, an ode to the universal language of music and its power to build bridges across cultures, communities, and industry frontiers. True to the collaborative ethos of SXSW, the special showcase functioned as an eclectic hub of cross-border creativity and musical dialogue.

The festivities began with a vibrant Day Party, headlined by Japanese rock band Enfants and Malaysian rapper Zamaera, which set the tone for an international exchange of styles and stories. Running parallel to the performances, the TAICCA Meet-Up forum welcomed global music executives and creatives to discuss the shifting dynamics for Asian artists navigating the North American music market.

As the sun set, the evening showcase unfolded with memorable performances: singer-songwriter HSIEN CHING opened with soul-stirring tracks from her latest album, “If Every Day Could Be Happy Happy, Who’d Want Sad,” accompanied by producer Sōryo. Next came the enigmatic neo-soul artist Whyte (?te), whose boundary-pushing set resonated with the growing international presence.

Pop newcomer Andr brought a breath of fresh air to the lineup, earning a coveted slot at SXSW’s official International Night Showcase. She also shared the spotlight with Japan’s Luv and Paris Death Hilton, holding her own as a standout performer. Enno Cheng, a beloved voice in Taiwan’s indie music scene, returned to SXSW post-pandemic with new music from her upcoming album, Moon Phases. Her emotionally resonant performance reaffirmed her status as one of Taiwan’s most introspective and compelling singer-songwriters.

Alternative rock band TRASH ignited the stage with a high-octane set that could rival stadium performances, while The Amazing Show wrapped up the night with an otherworldly spectacle, featuring custom-built instruments and their iconic “cyber Taike” aesthetic.

Beyond SXSW, the enthusiasm continues:?The poignant duet with Japanese singer TENDRE, “Let Me Be Me,”  which ?te (Whyte) recently published, examines parent-child dynamics from a spiritual perspective. Meanwhile, with the premiere of a new music video for “Rarely Think of It” ,  Enno Cheng is continuing to broaden her artistic influence in South Korea. She will also be performing in Korea at the next Asian Pop Festival.

Visit the official website at https://taiwanbeatsshowcase.com/ to learn more about the Taiwan Beats Showcase and view the whole recap.