Fujirockers: The official fansite of the Fuji Rock Festival

Though Taiwan’s Lin Sheng-xiang has been playing with two Japanese musicians – bass player Toru Hayakawa and guitarist Ken Ohtake – for more than two years, this was his first ever gig in Japan. It came as part of a Taiwan initiative at this year’s Fuji Rock put together by a Taipei live house and promotional group, The Wall Music, which has Taiwanese bands playing on the Gypsy Avalon stage today, tomorrow and Sunday. During the shows, the Taiwanese promoters will be handing out towels, t-shirts and flyers under the banner “Rock Together,” which means more than just music – earlier this year Taiwan’s rock circles reacted to Japan’s earthquake and tsunami with a real degree of solidarity, holding concerts, raising money and using themes like “You are not alone.” Rock ‘n roll aside, Taiwan was one of the largest international sources of personal donations for Japanese disaster relief. For the current mission of musical exchange (which is bankrolled by Taiwan’s government), which is getting coverage from the Taiwan news station TVBS and one Japanese TV station, Lin Sheng-xiang could not have been a better ambassador.

As a folk singer, Taiwan’s Lin Sheng-xiang has always been as personally humble as he has been emotionally stirring through his music. And today, even as I was getting the thumbs up from the Japanese staff photographer for the music and musicianship, the cohort of Taiwan fans (more than a few!) was also saying the set was special. I overheard one saying, “In Taiwan, he’s usually got a serious look on his face during gigs. But today he’s been smiling start to finish.”

As predicted, Lin chimed in with the “no nuke” sentiment that will likely be one of the weekend’s subplots. On the final song, he chanted “No nuke Japan! No nuke Taiwan! Gambatte! Gambatte!” The Japanese phrase means “Do your best!”, “try hard!” or simply “Come on!”

Upcoming Taiwan gigs @ FRF:
Sugar Plum Ferry @ Gypsy Avalon 7/30 (Sat) 12:15
Silverbus @ Gypsy Avalon 7/31 (Sun) 18:00

More photos of Lin Sheng-xiang: http://fujirockexpress.net/11/2285.html

Photos by 北村勇祐 and Dave