Image: Gene Wang / cc by 2.0 View license
Fire EX Concert History Retrospective: A Rock Journey from Underground to the Dome
Fire EX, a rock band from Taichung founded at the turn of the millennium, has spent nearly a quarter of a century writing a legendary chapter in Taiwan's original music scene. From their raw performances in the underground music scene to stages at major international music festivals, and eventually becoming a landmark band that can mobilize tens of thousands of fans, Fire EX's concert journey is not only a story of a band's growth but also an important microcosm of Taiwan's rock music development.
2000-2005 | Foundation Years: Wildfire in the Underground Scene
Fire EX was founded in 2000, when the members were still students, driven by their love for punk rock, embarking on their musical adventure in Taichung's live houses and music scene. During this period, Fire EX lacked support from mainstream record labels, performing mostly at school club events, underground music venues, and various campus concerts.
The early Fire EX performances were characterized by a strong DIY spirit and street energy. The members planned their own itineraries and hauled their own equipment, bringing their music to every corner of Taiwan in the most raw and direct way possible. The long-established Taichung live houses—The Cave and Ambulance—became Fire EX's early strongholds, and on performance nights, these small venues would be packed with passionate young fans, with Pogo and stage diving scenes commonly seen.
In 2005, Fire EX released their debut album "Don't Get Married," officially kicking off their rock journey. The songs on the album were known for their straightforward style, with lyrics depicting young people's love, life, and confusion about the future, resonating widely with audiences. During the release tour, Fire EX performed at virtually every significant music venue in Taiwan, from The Wall and Revolver in the north to TCRC in the south, with each show building their loyal fan base.
2007-2012 | Accumulation and Breakthrough: Entering the Mainstream
After years of沉淀 and refinement, Fire EX released their second album "The Original Me" in 2007, showcasing a more mature musical style. This album featured a more diverse range of musical styles, not only retaining the punk energy they took pride in but also incorporating pop rock and even electronic elements in arrangements, proving that their musical territory was continuously expanding.
During this period, Fire EX began appearing frequently on stages at major music festivals. Spring Scream, the Hakka Music Festival, Megaport Festival, and other landmark events all featured their performances. Particularly worth mentioning is Fire EX's classic performances at Spring Scream—the sunshine of Kenting, the beaches, and passionate audiences combined perfectly with Fire EX's explosive stage presence, creating countless memorable performance moments for fans.
In 2009, Fire EX reached a new milestone in their performance career. It's reported that during this period they began more systematic touring plans, no longer just participating in music festivals but actively reaching out to various counties and cities in Taiwan through dedicated concert shows. The performances at Taipei The Wall Legacy were particularly impressive, with consecutive shows selling out, demonstrating that Fire EX had accumulated a considerable loyal fan base.
Around 2012, news that Fire EX would release a new album "Goodbye! Youth" attracted attention in the music scene. This album was seen as an important turning point in Fire EX's creative career, not only investing more resources in music production but also presenting a more refined overall concept and packaging. Reports indicated that during this period, Fire EX's performance scale began to increase, gradually moving from small live houses to larger venues, with audience numbers showing steady growth.
2014 | Historical Turning Point: Island's Sunrise and the Civic Movement
2014 is a pivotal year in Fire EX's history that simply cannot be overlooked. In March, the Sunflower Movement erupted, with the occupation of the Legislative Yuan becoming a representative event in Taiwan's social movements. During this turbulent and uncertain time, Fire EX created the song "Island's Sunrise."
The birth of "Island's Sunrise" stemmed from the band's concern for social affairs and deep affection for this land. With gentle yet resolute melodies paired with lyrics full of hopeful imagery, the song quickly spread through the movement site, becoming the unofficial theme song of the Sunflower Movement. Fire EX's performances near the Legislative Yuan remain unforgettable memories for many—amid tense and solemn atmosphere, rock music provided an emotional outlet and spiritual support for the crowds.
The impact of this song extended far beyond the music realm. "Island's Sunrise" catapulted Fire EX into the spotlight across all of Taiwan, and also made more people take notice of the close connection between Taiwan's original music and social pulse. Reports indicate that performance videos during the movement achieved惊人的 viewership online, and Fire EX's music entered the vision of a much wider audience.
Fire EX's concerts during this period were filled with special historical significance. At every show, the scene of audiences singing "Island's Sunrise" together was like a collective ritual, marking the shared memory of that era. Fire EX used their music to witness an important moment in Taiwan's democratic development, and also brought more attention to the power of rock music in social movements.
2015-2017 | Reaching New Heights: Challenges of Large-Scale Concerts
Following the Sunflower Movement, Fire EX顺势 released the album "Move Forward." This album continued the social concern spirit of "Island's Sunrise" while also including several upbeat songs suitable for live performances. After the album's release, Fire EX immediately launched a large-scale tour titled "Move Forward Album Tour."
This tour was unprecedented in scale. Not only did the number of shows increase significantly, spanning regions across northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan, but venues also upgraded from live houses to medium-sized venues and even outdoor spaces. The consecutive shows at Taipei's Legacy, Taichung's Yuanquan Outdoor Theater, and Kaohsiung's live warehouses all bore Fire EX's footprints. Each performance was a rigorous test of the band's organizational ability and stage presence, and Fire EX delivered impressive results.
Between 2016 and 2017, Fire EX achieved another important breakthrough in their music career—stepping onto the international stage. They were invited to Spain to participate in the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona. This globally anticipated music event gathered top musicians from around the world, and Fire EX, as one of the few Chinese-language bands invited, stood before international audiences, telling the story of Taiwan through their music.
Reports indicate that Fire EX's performance at Primavera Sound received enthusiastic responses. Although language barriers existed, the power of music itself transcended cultural boundaries, and the live audience was swept up by Fire EX's passionate performance. This experience not only provided Fire EX with valuable international performance experience but also laid the foundation for their subsequent international expansion.
During this period, Fire EX's concerts also became more refined in stage production. Not just equipment upgrades, but lighting and sound specifications also gradually reached the level of large-scale concerts. Fire EX began focusing on overall visual presentation and audience experience, making each performance a complete sensory feast.
2018-2020 | Reaching New Peaks: Unsung Heroes and the Dome Legend
In 2018, Fire EX released the album "Unsung Heroes." This album, with the core concept of "paying tribute to everyone who quietly contributes in their own positions," continued Fire EX's consistent positive energy and social concern. Upon release, the album received widespread acclaim, performing well on sales charts and receiving nomination recognition at major music awards.
During the "Unsung Heroes" album promotional period, Fire EX held a series of performances called the "Unsung Heroes Tour." This tour's scale broke records once again, and besides major cities on Taiwan's main island, news spread that Fire EX was planning to go overseas. The number of tour stops and their geographic distribution were the most extensive in Fire EX's history.
Of all the performances, the one that excited fans most was the "FIRE EX. 2019 Island's Sunrise" large-scale concert held at the New Taipei City Trade Exhibition Center (commonly known as Wugu Trade Exhibition Hall). Reports indicate that this concert attracted over 10,000 people, and the spectacular scene was堪称 Fire EX's peak performance since their debut. The concert not only recreated classic tracks but also brought wonderful content from the new album, paired with meticulously designed stage effects and program flow, giving attendees an unforgettable rock baptism.
During this period, Fire EX also began appearing on more diverse stages. New Year's Eve parties, National Day activities in front of the Presidential Office, and various large ceremonies all featured their performances. Fire EX's music no longer belonged only to live houses and music festivals but became part of Taiwan's collective memory. "Island's Sunrise" especially became a popular song at various occasions, and whenever the familiar melody rang out, it could always trigger moving sing-along moments across entire venues.
2021-2025 | Continuing Forward: Challenges of the Pandemic and a New Era
Starting in 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic brought severe impacts, with the music performance industry taking the first hit. Fire EX's performance plans were inevitably affected, with scheduled tours forced to be postponed or canceled. However, Fire EX did not stop during this period; instead, they shifted focus to music creation and online interaction.
During the pandemic, Fire EX continued releasing new works and stayed connected with fans through social media. Reports indicate that during this time they were brewing the new album "Romance Knight" (released in 2023), featuring Taiwanese romance and chivalrous spirit as its themes, showcasing more mature musical style and creative depth.
After pandemic restrictions lifted, Fire EX quickly resumed in-person performance activities. Reports indicate that between 2024 and 2025, they held multiple dedicated concerts and music festival performances, including "FIRE EX Island's Sunrise 2024 Concert" as well as multiple events in Kaohsiung. Each returning performance was like a reunion party with fans, with lively atmosphere and sincere emotions.
It's worth noting that Fire EX also continued participating in various cross-disciplinary collaborations during this period. Joint performances with artists from different fields, theme songs tailored for film and television works, and participation in various charity activities all made Fire EX's brand image more diverse and well-rounded. They are not just a rock band but have become one of Taiwan's important cultural ambassadors.
Reflection and Legacy: Fire EX's Concert Culture
Looking back at Fire EX's concert journey over nearly a quarter of a century, there are several elements they have consistently adhered to. First is their respect and dedication to the stage—no matter the scale, Fire EX gives their all at every performance, facing audiences with the fullest enthusiasm. Second is the deep emotional connection built with fans; Fire EX's concerts are not just one-way performances but a two-way exchange between the band and fans.
Fire EX's concerts have also developed unique cultural symbols. The signature "Fire EX hand gesture," the tradition of singing "Goodbye! Youth" together at concerts, and "Island's Sunrise" that always rings out at special occasions—these elements weave together the unique sense of ritual that defines Fire EX's concerts.
From underground live houses to dome-level venues accommodating tens of thousands, Fire EX has step by step built today's achievements through time and sweat. Their success story has also inspired more Taiwanese original music creators, proving that as long as you persist in your dreams, roots in local culture can also blossom into magnificent flowers.
Looking Forward to the Next Show
Fire EX's concert journey continues to be written. From the underground music scene of the 2000s to the civic movements of the 2010s, and now becoming representative figures of Taiwanese rock music, Fire EX has used their music to witness the joys and sorrows of this land, and has accumulated countless precious collective memories through their performances.
Looking ahead, where will Fire EX's concerts go? Perhaps more battles on international stages, perhaps cross-genre collaborations with new generation musicians, or perhaps a return to their roots for the most intimate contact with fans in small venues. Whatever form it takes, what is certain is that Fire EX will continue to ignite the flame in every audience member's heart with the passionate energy of rock music.
For fans who have accompanied Fire EX every step of the way, every concert is a precious appointment. And for friends who haven't yet had the chance to experience a live show, perhaps now is the perfect time—step into a concert venue, let Fire EX's music shock your eardrums, and feel that rock soul that comes from Taiwan.
Fire EX's story continues; see you at the next concert.
