Flowing hair, deep voice, guitar solos – these are the trademarks of Wu Bai (伍佰 – Wǔ bǎi), a key figure in Taiwanese rock music for over 30 years. With his band China Blue, he fills the biggest concert halls throughout East and Southeast Asia. Demand for concert tickets for his and other Taiwanese bands has exploded in China since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wu Bai is part of a long tradition. Taiwanese artists such as Teresa Teng, Jay Chou and A-Mei have played a key role in shaping popular music in China since the 1980s. And yet, it is remarkable that Wu Bai, in particular, has such a loyal following in China, as his life and work are closely linked to his escape from political constraints and the search for his own Taiwanese identity.