Taiwan shines with a unique brilliance on the Asian music scene.
From glamorous pop to alternative rock and electronica, a stream of talented bands is emerging across a wide range of genres.
Their rich body of songs reflects Taiwan’s distinctive cultural diversity.
Many stylish bands captivate with refined sound production and sleek visuals, and increasing performances in Japan and collaborations with Japanese artists are drawing attention.
Here, we’ll introduce the bands leading this new wave in Taiwanese music!
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Recommended bands from Taiwan: Notable bands energizing the Asian scene (1–10)
My JinjiRakujitsu Hisha Sunset Rollercoaster
Sunset Rollercoaster is a Taipei-based band that stands out in the Asian music scene.
Formed in 2009 around vocalist Kuo Kuo, they initially energized Taiwan’s indie scene with a garage-psychedelic charm.
They debuted in 2011 with the album “Bossa Nova,” and performed at SUMMER SONIC that same year.
After resuming activities, they made a decisive shift toward AOR and city pop; albums like “Cassa Nova” and the acclaimed “Soft Storm” showcase their refined musicality.
Their talent is the real deal—they won Best Band at the Golden Melody Awards in 2021—and the groove born from their 80s-tinged synth sounds and sophisticated musicianship has captivated many music fans.
Their appearance on Audiotree Live is another example of their growing international presence.
If you like stylish, mellow music, this is a band you should definitely check out.
Us, LaterWuyuètiān Mayday
As a superstar band representing the Chinese-speaking world, Taiwan’s Mayday has been leading the Asian music scene.
Formed in 1997, they began as a garage rock band voicing the anxieties of youth, then evolved into melodious pop rock.
They made their debut with the album Mayday in July 1999, and their 2000 release Love of the Bachelors dominated the charts as a massive hit.
Their multiple wins for Best Band at the Golden Melody Awards and their legendary two-day concerts at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium in 2012 are milestone achievements.
The literary world-building in Ashin’s lyrics has also captured the hearts of many fans.
If you love grand-scale live shows and songs that touch the heartstrings, this band will surely resonate with you.
with great difficulty; finally; at long lastShallow Embankment
If you’re looking for music that captures the breeze of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, give Shallow Levée a listen! Active since 2015, they weave indie rock and alternative folk into sounds that gently accompany inner landscapes.
Vocalist Yi-Ling’s lyrics—blending Taiwanese (Hokkien) and Mandarin—paired with her soft voice poetically portray everyday life in Kaohsiung on signature tracks like “Excavator” and “Daydreaming.” Their 2019 nationwide tour for “Daydreaming” sold out every show, and their album “The Village” won the Best Indie Album at the PlayMusic Awards.
Perfect for anyone who wants melodies that conjure vivid scenes and a sound of Taiwan that feels both nostalgic and new!
Last Summer (The Moon’s Mischief)I am a motorcycle girl. I'm difficult.
Based in Taipei, I’mdifficult is a four-piece alternative pop band formed in 2018.
Their sound is captivating, blending a foundation of neo-soul and R&B with diverse elements like funk and Afrobeat.
Their signature tracks include “Last Summer (月亮惹的禍),” and they released the album “25” in 2021 and “I’mdifficult” in 2023.
The latter was nominated at Taiwan’s Golden Indie Music Awards, further boosting their presence on the music scene.
In August 2023, they toured Japan and performed with artists like YeYe in various cities.
If you enjoy genre-defying, free-spirited music or want to discover fresh talent from Asia, they might really resonate with you!
FingerElephant Gym
Elephant Gym, a band that took flight from Taiwan’s music scene to the world.
Rooted in math rock and jazz fusion, they’re an instrumental trio that has carved out a unique evolutionary path.
Formed in Kaohsiung in 2012, the three-piece continues to captivate listeners with bassist KT Chang’s dynamic playing and the precise rhythm section of her brother, Tell Chang, and drummer Chia-Chin Tu.
They debuted in 2013 with the album “Balance,” embarked on a 100-show world tour across 14 countries in 2018, and performed at SXSW in the United States in 2023.
They’ve also made their presence felt at festivals around the globe, including Japan’s Fuji Rock.
At the 15th Golden Indie Music Awards in 2024, they won Best Band.
Despite their complex rhythmic patterns, their melodic sensibility and infectious groove open a new door to instrumental music.
Your love is even greater than I imagined.nasu tamago EggPlantEgg
EggPlantEgg, formed in Taipei in 2012, is a trio—Huang Qibin, Tsai Kairen, and Hsieh Yaote—whose music is rooted in indie rock with distinctive hints of blues and jazz.
They shot to fame with the theme song “Love, You’re Greater Than I Thought” from the film Man in Love.
Released in March 2021, the track won Song of the Year at the 2022 Golden Melody Awards.
Back in 2018, they also took home two major categories at the same awards.
Their band name, inspired by the “eggplant,” is uniquely memorable.
With their robust sound and Taiwanese-language melodies, they’re sure to strike a chord.
I miss you so much.gyo chō shi / sodaguriin (sōdagurīn)
As a standout presence in Taiwan’s music scene, Sodagreen deserves the spotlight.
Formed in 2001 by six students, they built their sound on indie rock and pop while incorporating diverse elements like classical and folk, which is a big part of their appeal.
Their debut album, “Sodagreen,” was released in 2005 and won them popularity across the Chinese-speaking world.
Since then, they’ve continued to produce widely acclaimed works.
Their talent is the real deal—at the Golden Melody Awards they won Best Band for the 2007 album “Little Universe” and again for the 2016 classic “Winter Endless.” Vocalist Wu Qing-feng went on to sweep five major GMA categories as a solo artist in 2020, and the band weathered the chapter when they changed their name to OAEK.
They’re also set for a 20th-anniversary tour in 2025.
If you’re looking for music with poetic lyrics and rich expressiveness, this is a band you should definitely hear!
UndercurrentHakushashōnen Sorry Youth
Formed in Kaohsiung in 2005, Sorry Youth is an alternative rock power trio that passionately sings in their native language, Taiwanese Hokkien.
Their sound uniquely fuses the raw intensity of grunge with the warmth of Taiwanese folk, stirring the listener’s soul.
After releasing their 2012 album Ocean Flavor, they went on to win the Golden Indie Music Award for Best Rock Album—one of Taiwan’s most prestigious music honors—with works including Brothers Without Dreams Shouldn’t Be, Good Times, Bad Times, and 2024’s Noise Apartment.
Their activities constantly draw attention, having raised a record-breaking NT$6 million for a Taiwanese rock band through crowdfunding.
They’ve also performed at Japanese festivals such as SUMMER SONIC, and their music—rich with social messages—is perfect for those seeking fiery rock or a deeper connection with Taiwanese culture.
DaydreamKusatō Naiyo Pātī No Pātī Foa Kao Dong
Cao Dong Mei You Pai Dui, an indie rock band from Taiwan, strikes a chord with the nihilism and defiant spirit of youth.
Their appeal lies in an emotional sound that fuses a range of genres, including alternative and post-rock.
They first drew attention with their self-released EP “No Party for Cao Dong” in July 2015.
The track “Big Wind Blows” from their 2016 album “Ugly Beauty” posed sharp questions to society and resonated across generations.
The song won Song of the Year at the 2017 Golden Melody Awards, and together with Best New Artist and Best Band, the group achieved a triple crown, hailed as “an eruption of the stifled generation.” They went on to win another triple crown at the Golden Melody Awards with their 2023 album “Wahaha.” If you’re seeking messages that resonate today and a fierce, urgent sound, their music is a must-listen.
OYSako to hakuchi Fool ando Idiot
Formed in 2015, Fool and Idiot is a band that has deepened its sound from indie rock into darker, more electronic textures.
Their 2019 debut album, “Yorunaga Yume Shō (Till 5:10 a.m.),” drew significant attention from many listeners, especially with the track “You Never Loved This World After All.” In 2024, their album “Shitai (Posture)” earned nominations in multiple categories at the Golden Melody Awards, cementing their strong reputation.
Their musical evolution—pursuing what they call their “true feelings”—is compelling, and the profound sonic world they weave is sure to captivate music fans seeking cutting-edge sounds.