Drum Tao

Anyone who has heard it will appreciate the primal power of the Japanese taiko drum. Modern taiko performances now combine traditional rhythms with breathtaking showmanship, and in August 2008 we are lucky enough to have the taiko group Drum Tao appearing over several dates in several cities across WA.

Tao’s performances upturn the traditional image that the word ‘wadaiko’ typically invokes in the minds of most people in Japan and abroad. Rather than attempting to simply build upon the traditional Japanese arts, Tao is determined to produce modern entertainment that has the power to truly transcend national boundaries. Ever since the group’s formation over ten years ago, Tao has consistently worked towards creating a new, previously unheard of world of wadaiko performance.

After years of hard work, Tao has now demonstrably reached the above goal and engaged the world in a continuing dialogue with wadaiko as the medium. The group has attracted massive praise from audiences, the media and promoters all around following its shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and elsewhere as well as the release of its debut album in Japan and abroad. This year, it is time for Tao to take on yet new regions and let the beat of wadaiko echo proudly in many great countries around the world.

Choosing to name itself Tao – written with a single Chinese character meaning ‘way’ or ‘road’ – the group has so far courageously treaded uncharted paths, paving its way where there had previously been none. As a reward of all its efforts, the road to the world as well as to the future of wadaiko now lies wide open before Tao.

The tour schedule includes the following dates:

5 August 2008 (Tue): Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
7 August 2008 (Thu): Bunbury Entertainment Centre
8-9 August 2008 (Fri-Sat): Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
14-16 August 2008 (Thu-Sat): Perth Concert Hall (tickets)
19-20 August 2008 (Tue-Wed): Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie

We’re very lucky to have a world-class group visiting so many regional centres, so make sure you get on down to check them out. Tickets are from $59 (less for concession) – you’ll need to get in touch with the various venues outside Perth. Here’s a promo video from earlier this month.