THE CLOSEST THING Asia has had to the likes of Live 8 was the Beastie Boys' Tibetan Freedom Concert, which came to Tokyo and Taipei in 2001. More home grown if less well known is a Taiwanese event that has been held every year since 2000.
The concert has gone by various names - Oppose Chinese Sovereignty Concert in its early years and more recently Say Yes To Taiwan and EastCore Asia - and promoted causes ranging from Taiwanese independence to human rights in China.
This year, as Spirit of Taiwan, it has shelved the politics for a more genuine platform of reconciliation in Taiwan. As a result, it has won a broad range of supporters, including former Tiananmen Square student leader and long-time human-rights activist Wang Dan.
The February 28 concert also boasts one of its best lineups ever, with headliners including British alt-rockers Muse, American political punks Strike Anywhere, Japanese hardcore act Akiakane, exiled mainland rock band Pangu and an aging Czech band the Plastic People of the Universe, who have an intriguing history.
These bands will take the stage in Taipei's Zhongshan Soccer Stadium along with a handful of Taiwan's top rock acts (including Tizzy Bac and LTK Commune).
Organiser Freddy Lin is in his early 30s and the lead singer in a face-painted metal band. He's been responsible for the success of Taiwan's biggest summer festival, Formoz, and other large-scale events, including the Beastie's 2001 Taipei concert.
