Kaohsiung Music Center Celebrates 5th Anniversary with Expanded 'Takao Rock Festival' in October

Kaohsiung Music Center (KMC) marks its 5th anniversary this year. KMC announced today that it will expand the 'Takao Rock Festival' into a large-scale, month-long series of events throughout October 2026, combining free outdoor stages, a ticketed concert by the band 'Pasha Boys,' and a VTuber music performance.

KMC unveiled its 2026 Takao Rock Festival plans today. The first phase will take place on October 10 and 11 under the theme 'Hi-ing 5,' featuring three main stages at Seaside Plaza, Coral Reef Cluster, and Soundwave Tower. Over 20 bands, singers, and DJs will perform, with free admission on both days.

Additionally, a ticketed solo concert by the band 'Pasha Boys' will be held at the KMC Hall on the evening of October 10. This year marks the first time KMC has combined free outdoor stages with a ticketed indoor concert, aiming to balance the openness of a music festival with the high production quality of a major live performance, offering fans more diverse ways to participate.

KMC noted that this year’s festival not only expands in scale but also includes multiple themed events. On October 17, the 'KMC Select' ticketed concert will feature top-tier artists performing at the KMC Hall. On October 31, 'V FUTURE PARTY' will be held as a full VTuber music festival, bringing together virtual idols in a rare large-scale physical music event centered on digital performers.

KMC stated that VTuber performances have evolved from online live streams to physical stage events in recent years, leveraging real-time motion capture technology and immersive stage design. This year’s event will bring together leading Taiwanese VTuber teams including Chunyu Creative, Midnight Project, and The Box, featuring multiple popular VTubers in a relay performance. Real-time motion capture will be integrated to create a seamless virtual-physical hybrid experience.

KMC CEO Ding Du-Lan stated that as the music performance market and audience demands evolve, this year’s Takao Rock Festival is transforming from a traditional music festival into a diverse performance platform. By incorporating indie music, pop, and VTuber content, KMC aims to reach broader audiences and continue advancing the integration of music, technology, and urban culture. (Edited by Li Heng-Shan)