Exhibitions
2025.04.22 (Tue) release
Modern Era – The Dawn of Pop Music
2025.05.24 10:00 (Sat) - 2025.08.10 18:00 (Sun)
Location
Taipei Music Center - Cultural Cube 2F
Organizer
Ministry of Culture, TAICCA, TMC
Date
2025/5/24 Sat. - 2025/8/10 Sun. (closed on Mondays)
Time
10:00 - 18:00 (ticket sales and admission stop at 17:30)
Ticket
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Taiwan's first major exhibition exploring the musical developments of the 1930s Step back a century in the history of sound and uncover the modern melodies of a bold new era. When the phonograph revolutionized the world, Taiwan's record industry was born—ushering in not only a new era of music, but also an age of free love and women’s empowerment.
This exhibition traces the full history of Taiwan's pre-war music industry, revealing how female vocalists, producers, lyricists, composers, and record companies came together to form a vibrant, liberated network of sound.
Discover a treasure trove of never-before-seen lyric manuscripts and original recordings, and experience the transformative power of the phonograph through immersive displays that bring the birth of Taiwanese pop music to life.
Listen again—to the pulse of the modern age.
Time-Traveling House – Record Store
In 1877, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, making it possible for sound to be preserved in time. By 1900, phonographs and records began appearing in imported goods stores in Taiwan, inviting curious visitors to browse and purchase them. This cultural stimulus marked the start of Taiwan’s own record story.
In 1877, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, making it possible for sound to be preserved in time. By 1900, phonographs and records began appearing in imported goods stores in Taiwan, inviting curious visitors to browse and purchase them. This cultural stimulus marked the start of Taiwan’s own record story.
Modern Music Salon
In 1911, the first record company officially established a presence in Taiwan, launching a new era of recording. Through the widespread distribution of records, Taiwan began exchanging sounds with the world. Singing their own songs also stimulated new waves of thought in the Taiwanese people of the time.
In 1911, the first record company officially established a presence in Taiwan, launching a new era of recording. Through the widespread distribution of records, Taiwan began exchanging sounds with the world. Singing their own songs also stimulated new waves of thought in the Taiwanese people of the time.
Producer's Study
Here, the key figures behind the music take the stage. Producers and songwriters collaborated to create many iconic tracks such as “Moonlit Night Sorrow,” “Longing for the Spring Breeze,” “Rural Melody,” and “Four Seasons of Red,” resulting in the first golden age of Taiwanese pop music.
Here, the key figures behind the music take the stage. Producers and songwriters collaborated to create many iconic tracks such as “Moonlit Night Sorrow,” “Longing for the Spring Breeze,” “Rural Melody,” and “Four Seasons of Red,” resulting in the first golden age of Taiwanese pop music.
Days and Nights in Dadaocheng
The term “modern” was transliterated into Taiwanese Hokkien as “毛斷 (Mô-tuānn),” representing a glamorous era of liberated, modern women and fashionable men engaging in free love. Dadaocheng, with its rich cultural flair, was not only a hub of art and pop culture, but also the go-to spot for romantic encounters.
The term “modern” was transliterated into Taiwanese Hokkien as “毛斷 (Mô-tuānn),” representing a glamorous era of liberated, modern women and fashionable men engaging in free love. Dadaocheng, with its rich cultural flair, was not only a hub of art and pop culture, but also the go-to spot for romantic encounters.
Brazil Café
Opened by Taiwan’s first female superstar, Chun-chun (Sun-sun), the café was a gathering place for singers, and pop music salons were frequently held there. The aroma of coffee mingled with the sound of music, making it a shared space for artistic exchange and creative thought.
Opened by Taiwan’s first female superstar, Chun-chun (Sun-sun), the café was a gathering place for singers, and pop music salons were frequently held there. The aroma of coffee mingled with the sound of music, making it a shared space for artistic exchange and creative thought.
Modern Times Newsroom
Before the war, newspapers were the dominant media, followed closely by radio. The newsroom was a hotspot for the juiciest gossip about people like starlets, geishas and hostesses—giving us a peek into the dazzling and mysterious nightlife of the modern age.
Before the war, newspapers were the dominant media, followed closely by radio. The newsroom was a hotspot for the juiciest gossip about people like starlets, geishas and hostesses—giving us a peek into the dazzling and mysterious nightlife of the modern age.
Corridor through Time
Taiwan’s first record was released in 1914—over a century ago. This section features a collection of vintage phonographs, records, manuscripts, and lyric cards, offering a comprehensive view of the early record industry. Together, they revive memories of a century of music and showcase historical moments from Taiwan’s sonic legacy.
Taiwan’s first record was released in 1914—over a century ago. This section features a collection of vintage phonographs, records, manuscripts, and lyric cards, offering a comprehensive view of the early record industry. Together, they revive memories of a century of music and showcase historical moments from Taiwan’s sonic legacy.
The Parade of Promotions
Live performances weren’t the only way to promote music—advertising trucks and music bands also paraded through the streets. This created a lively, unique street scene. In this zone, you're invited to become a modern-day ambassador of that vibrant era!
Live performances weren’t the only way to promote music—advertising trucks and music bands also paraded through the streets. This created a lively, unique street scene. In this zone, you're invited to become a modern-day ambassador of that vibrant era!
Slow Steps of Reflection
This section displays a map of pre-war Taipei’s record stores and record companies, side-by-side with a modern map. The once densely packed record stores formed a cityscape where each revolution of a record echoed the rhythms of daily life.
This section displays a map of pre-war Taipei’s record stores and record companies, side-by-side with a modern map. The once densely packed record stores formed a cityscape where each revolution of a record echoed the rhythms of daily life.
Peacock Café
In the 1930s, café culture swept across Taiwan, blending fine cuisine, alcoholic drinks, and the company of hostesses. These cafés became urban corners where modernity and romance intertwined. The hostesses, known as “女給” (jokyuu), would chat with patrons and offer emotional comfort, allowing people to momentarily forget their troubles amid the aroma of coffee and the soft glow of lights.
In 1932, tea merchant Kuo Po-Jung opened the “Peacock Café” (孔雀珈琲店) in Dadaocheng, crafting a modern space with lavish decor and 21 hostesses. He later founded “Popular Records” (博友樂唱片), combining music and entertainment, and paving the way for the early development of Taiwanese pop music.
The special exhibition Modern Era: The Dawn of Pop Music on the first floor of the Taipei Music Center Cultural Cube recreates the “Peacock Café.” Centered around this iconic café and infused with Popular Records’ legacy, the exhibition brings the café culture of a century ago back to life through immersive space design and vintage details.
In the 1930s, café culture swept across Taiwan, blending fine cuisine, alcoholic drinks, and the company of hostesses. These cafés became urban corners where modernity and romance intertwined. The hostesses, known as “女給” (jokyuu), would chat with patrons and offer emotional comfort, allowing people to momentarily forget their troubles amid the aroma of coffee and the soft glow of lights.
In 1932, tea merchant Kuo Po-Jung opened the “Peacock Café” (孔雀珈琲店) in Dadaocheng, crafting a modern space with lavish decor and 21 hostesses. He later founded “Popular Records” (博友樂唱片), combining music and entertainment, and paving the way for the early development of Taiwanese pop music.
The special exhibition Modern Era: The Dawn of Pop Music on the first floor of the Taipei Music Center Cultural Cube recreates the “Peacock Café.” Centered around this iconic café and infused with Popular Records’ legacy, the exhibition brings the café culture of a century ago back to life through immersive space design and vintage details.
Exhibition Information
Exhibition Period: May 24, 2025 – August 10, 2025
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Last Admission: 5:30 PM
Venue: Taipei Music Center - Cultural Cube 2F (No. 99, Section 7, Zhongxiao East Road, Nangang District, Taipei, Taiwan)
Fares Information
1. Regular Ticket: NT$200 (General audience)
2. Discount Ticket: NT$150
(1) Students with valid student ID
(2) Residents of Nangang & Neihu district with a valid identification document
(3) Ticket holders from performances at Taipei Music Center Concert Hall, LiveHouse D, SUB, or Legacy TERA
3. Senior Ticket: NT$100 (Ages 65+, ID required)
4. Free Admission:
(1) Individuals with disabilities and one accompanying person
(Disability certificate required)
(2) Children aged 6 and under (accompanied by a ticketed parent/guardian)
(3) Free admission attendees must arrive on-site with valid identification for verification and entry.
Exhibition Period: May 24, 2025 – August 10, 2025
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Last Admission: 5:30 PM
Venue: Taipei Music Center - Cultural Cube 2F (No. 99, Section 7, Zhongxiao East Road, Nangang District, Taipei, Taiwan)
Fares Information
1. Regular Ticket: NT$200 (General audience)
2. Discount Ticket: NT$150
(1) Students with valid student ID
(2) Residents of Nangang & Neihu district with a valid identification document
(3) Ticket holders from performances at Taipei Music Center Concert Hall, LiveHouse D, SUB, or Legacy TERA
3. Senior Ticket: NT$100 (Ages 65+, ID required)
4. Free Admission:
(1) Individuals with disabilities and one accompanying person
(Disability certificate required)
(2) Children aged 6 and under (accompanied by a ticketed parent/guardian)
(3) Free admission attendees must arrive on-site with valid identification for verification and entry.
