Taiwan Beats Showcase, a flagship initiative championing Taiwan’s most dynamic music talents on the global stage, has released its highly anticipated recap video, providing an exciting visual diary that captures the energy, artistry, and cultural spirit of its standout representatives.
This year’s spotlight shines on six trailblazing acts: Amazing Show, Enno Cheng, ?te (Whyte), TRASH, HSIEN CHING, and Andr—each one bringing a unique sonic stamp that reflects the ever-evolving landscape of Taiwanese contemporary music. Through the recap, fans across the globe, including the Philippines’ ever-curious music lovers, are invited to relive the magic and momentum of Taiwan’s showcase at SXSW 2025.
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.
The momentum continues beyond SXSW: ?te (Whyte) has just released “Let Me Be Me,” a heartfelt collaboration with Japanese artist TENDRE that explores the parent-child dynamics through a soulful lens. Meanwhile, Enno Cheng is steadily expanding her artistic footprint in South Korea, with the release of a new music video for “Rarely Think of It” . She’s also slated to perform at the upcoming Asian Pop Festival in Korea.