c i c a d a Listen

Tour Dates

Past performances by Cicada across Taiwan and Japan.

A two-ink risograph print in deep forest green and warm cream, depicting layered mountain silhouettes fading into mist, with a small winding path leading upward through the haze.

2020

2018

Cicada's journey through chamber music weaves together the textures of Taiwan's natural landscape with the intimacy of small-venue performance. Their compositions often draw inspiration from the island's misty forests, coastal waters, and mountain trails, translating these environments into delicate piano lines and sweeping string arrangements. Each tour stop becomes a conversation between the music and the space it inhabits, whether in a historic church, an art center, or a dedicated concert hall. The result is a listening experience that feels both grounded and ethereal, as if the audience has stepped into a living soundscape shaped by wind, light, and memory.

The ensemble's performances across Japan and Taiwan create a bridge between two island cultures that share a deep appreciation for subtlety and atmosphere in music. Japanese audiences have embraced Cicada's evocative style, finding resonance in the quiet intensity and careful phrasing that defines their work. Venues ranging from intimate churches in Osaka to art centers in Hamamatsu offer acoustics that highlight the group's dynamic range, from hushed, contemplative passages to more expansive, emotionally charged movements. These cross-border concerts reflect a mutual understanding of how silence and space can be as expressive as melody itself.

Past tours have taken Cicada to historic and unconventional performance spaces, each chosen for its unique character and acoustic properties. Church sanctuaries with high wooden ceilings, castle gardens open to the sky, and converted studios all become temporary homes for the music. The adaptability of the ensemble's repertoire allows each piece to breathe differently depending on the surroundings, with natural reverb and ambient sounds sometimes becoming part of the performance. This sensitivity to place is central to Cicada's identity, treating each venue not as a neutral stage but as an active participant in the musical experience.

The release of albums like '走入有霧的森林' (Into the Misty Forest) has deepened Cicada's connection to themes of nature and memory. These recordings serve as both standalone works and companion pieces to the live experience, capturing the essence of Taiwan's diverse ecosystems through instrumental storytelling. On tour, these compositions take on new life, shaped by the energy of the audience and the particular atmosphere of the evening. The interplay between recorded and live interpretations allows listeners to discover fresh details and emotional nuances in music they may already know, creating a layered relationship between album and concert.

For audiences attending Cicada's concerts, the experience extends beyond the music itself into a shared moment of collective attention. The warm, unhurried pacing of their performances invites listeners to set aside distractions and immerse themselves fully in the sound. This intentional atmosphere, combined with the visual aesthetic of soft lighting and understated stage design, creates a space where time seems to slow. Whether in a crowded venue in Taipei or a quiet church in Tokyo, the emotional core remains the same: a celebration of chamber music as a vehicle for reflection, connection, and the quiet beauty of the natural world.