Scientific Sound “ROOTS” at Barcade Taiwan ~ FREE Entry!

Event Details

Bicycle Corporation and Scientific Sound Asia presented the next edition of Roots at Barcade Taiwan, continuing the series in Taipei with another free-entry night of Afrobeat, Nu Disco, Disco and Disco Re-Edits. The event brought Louis Chen and Marco Mei together behind the decks for an evening centred on funk, soul, Afrocentric rhythms and groove-led dance music.

The Roots concept had already developed through Scientific Sound Asia Radio before expanding into a recurring series of physical events. By the time it reached Barcade Taiwan, the format had established a clear identity built around warm records, classic dance influences and music selected for movement rather than rigid genre boundaries.

Louis Chen, also known as DJ Louis, brought a long connection with Taipei’s music scene to the event. Originally from Taiwan, he is a dedicated funk and soul enthusiast whose selections move through Disco, Funk, Soul, Nu-Soul, Lounge, House, Urban sounds and Smooth Jazz.

That broad musical background made him particularly suited to Roots. Rather than approaching the night from a narrow club perspective, Louis could move between soulful recordings, Disco grooves and warmer forms of House while keeping the rhythm consistent across the dancefloor.

His selections also strengthened the connection between the event and the musical traditions that influenced later electronic dance music. Funk basslines, Soul vocals, Disco arrangements and Jazz-influenced instrumentation could sit comfortably beside contemporary productions without sounding like separate parts of the programme.

Disco remained one of the principal foundations of the Roots sound. Its combination of live instrumentation, rhythm sections and extended dancefloor arrangements provided a natural link between Louis Chen’s Funk and Soul background and Marco Mei’s experience across House and electronic music.

Nu Disco added a contemporary interpretation of those older influences. Modern producers could draw on classic Disco while reshaping its rhythms, melodies and instrumentation for current club systems and DJ sets.

Disco Re-Edits formed another important part of the event because they allowed older recordings to function differently inside a modern set. Extended introductions, longer instrumental passages and altered arrangements gave both DJs more flexibility while preserving the character of the source material.

Afrobeat widened the rhythmic direction further and kept the event connected with the Afrocentric foundations behind the wider Roots concept. Layered percussion, repeated grooves and live instrumentation created natural links with Funk, Disco and House Music.

Marco Mei returned to the series with more than three decades of experience behind the decks. The Italian DJ from Turin began his career in 1991 and developed his musical identity around the early waves of Afrocentric music, House and underground club culture.

His career later expanded across clubs and events in Europe, Asia and beyond, giving him experience with many different dancefloors and musical environments. House, Deep House, Disco House, Nu Disco, Tech House and other underground styles have all formed part of his broader approach over the years.

Marco is also one half of Bicycle Corporation alongside producer Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. Their work through Scientific Sound Asia has connected radio, production and events, with Roots providing a dedicated outlet for the warmer and more groove-focused side of Marco’s record collection.

At Barcade Taiwan, his approach complemented Louis Chen particularly well because both DJs shared an interest in the musical foundations behind House. Disco, Funk, Soul and Afrocentric records could move naturally into more contemporary dance music without forcing the night into abrupt stylistic changes.

The pairing therefore gave the event a different character from the earlier Roots editions centred on Marco Mei and Murphy Kin. Louis Chen brought his own long-standing relationship with Funk and Soul into the format while Marco maintained continuity with the original radio series and Taipei events.

Barcade Taiwan provided an appropriately relaxed setting for that combination. The venue mixed American comfort food, craft beer, craft cocktails, infused moonshine shots and adult boozy gummy bears with arcade games, pool, foosball, darts and music.

That mixture made the venue less formal than a conventional nightclub and fitted the easy-going philosophy behind Roots. Guests could dance, play games, eat or drink without losing contact with the music, allowing the event to operate as both a social gathering and a dedicated DJ night.

Entry was free, continuing the accessible approach used by many editions of the series. Guests were invited to dress cool, dress sassy, dance, feel free and bring a nice smile and attitude rather than worry about a formal dress code.

The venue also asked guests not to bring outside food or drink out of respect for its operation. A reminder not to drink and drive accompanied the event information, keeping the relaxed party atmosphere connected with responsible behaviour.

The music policy remained deliberately broad while retaining a clear centre of gravity. Afrobeat, Nu Disco, Disco, Disco Re-Edits, Funk, Soul and House gave Louis Chen and Marco Mei enough room to explore different eras without losing the groove that defined Roots.

Scientific Sound Asia’s wider platform continues to connect this history through its events, radio station, DJ agency and music news. The Barcade edition formed another stage in the development of a radio concept that had already moved through multiple Taipei venues and different guest combinations.

Roots at Barcade Taiwan therefore brought a fresh pairing into an established format. Louis Chen and Marco Mei combined Funk, Soul, Afrobeat, Nu Disco, Disco and House for a free-entry night built around warm records, relaxed energy and the simple invitation to dance and feel free.