[Lifestyle] Taiwan Beats Heads to Indonesia to Pave the Way for the 'Taiwan Wave'

Taiwanese popular music is once again making inroads into Southeast Asia! The "Taiwan Beats" Indonesian business exchange group, organized by the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development of the Ministry of Culture, departed today (21st). Led by Tom Shu-Jung Tang, Chairman of Greener Grass Production, the nearly 40-member delegation will embark on a 5-day visit, traveling from Bali to Jakarta. In addition to meeting with local music industry professionals and record labels, Taiwanese musicians Managona and LINION will perform, seeking new opportunities for collaboration between Taiwan and Indonesia. The Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development is targeting the Southeast Asian market and will launch a two-year "Popular Music Expansion into Southeast Asian Markets Plan" in 2025. The primary target markets are Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The plan aims to move away from individual efforts and instead foster "teamwork" to help Taiwanese musicians and industry professionals expand into local markets. Last year, the first stop was Thailand; this year, the second stop focuses on Indonesia, a country with a large population and significant music market. The "2026 Taiwan Beats Indonesia Business Exchange Group" will visit from August 21st to 25th. The delegation of nearly 40 people spans various fields, including music festival curation, management companies, record labels, and music video creators. They will first arrive in Bali and then proceed to Jakarta to immerse themselves in the local music industry, understand the market environment, and engage in face-to-face exchanges with local professionals. Tom Shu-Jung Tang, who is leading the business delegation, stated that the trip to Indonesia has three main objectives, the first being "market understanding." He pointed out that the Taiwanese music industry is still relatively unfamiliar with Indonesia, but the country has accumulated considerable musical energy over the years, hosting numerous music events annually and attracting many international artists. He believes it is worthwhile for Taiwanese industry professionals to experience it firsthand. Tom Shu-Jung Tang: "(Original sound) All Taiwanese musicians should come and get to know this vast market. There are many music events here every year, and the world's best artists come here. Because they have been accumulating this energy for the past 20 years, it's worth coming to see and feel their music environment." In addition to understanding the market, Tang believes that establishing actual cooperative relationships is even more crucial. During this visit, the exchange group will engage with several Indonesian music labels to explore possibilities for cross-border collaboration. Simultaneously, they hope to encourage Taiwanese musicians to re-examine the Indonesian market and strive to participate in local music festivals and various music events in the future, increasing their exposure and performance opportunities. This exchange group is not just about business; it also directly brings Taiwanese music to Indonesia. After being selected by music festival curators and professional selection committees, musicians Managona and LINION will represent Taiwan in showcase performances. The aim is to combine live stage performances with industry exchanges, allowing Indonesian professionals to directly witness the creative and performance capabilities of Taiwanese musicians. Tom Shu-Jung Tang also hopes that this 5-day trip will be more than just an inspection; he expects it to help the Taiwanese music industry find suitable partners and opportunities to enter the Indonesian market, paving the way for future international collaborations. (Editor: Song Wanyuan)