Passion of green

Most new bands that come and go are generally just so-so. Soda Green, a relatively new band from Taiwan,

plays rock catchy enough to charm college-aged music-lovers, yet interestingly enough to appease even fussy critics. Some have even likened the band to the almost-legendary Mayday. The six-boy band of college students performs its debut gig in Beijing on June 15 at the Beizhan Theater.

Soda Green first played in April 2001. A month later with just one song under their belt, they participated in the prestigious Golden String Award competition in Taiwan and won the Most Popular Band award. A year later, they won first prize and another three awards at the same competition. Since then, the band has made regular tours around the island.

The band's distinctive sound owes much to the falsetto style of vocalist Wu Qingfeng. Also notable are the band's tranquil melodies and straight-from-the-heart lyrics.

7:30 pm, June 15

Beizhan Theater, Xizhimenwai Street, Xicheng District

400 810 3721 5129-7260

(China Daily 06/13/2008 page20)