Internationally and for those in the industry outside Asia the first question was: Why had it taken so long? Originally planned to open in June 2003, there is no great mystery, controversy, person or persons to blame for the delay. Just a four letter word - SARS, its paralysing effects on the Asian entertainment industry in general, in addition to the more recent Avian virus, plus caution on the part of the investors as a result of this, caused major hold ups. According to Project Director, Peter Bowden, "SARS dragged on into September and there was always a lingering thought it may come back in the winter, which is obviously not a good environment to open a new business of this size....(there were) also some licensing issues."

Locally and since opening, the question now is: How long will it last? What will happen after the initial buzz wears off? (Considering the distance from Taipei City, about 15 to 20 minutes, and that others have tried to open major clubs outside Taipei City without success, such as KK and Kukuang.) Why do the operators of MoS feel they can succeed where others have failed?

Together with bringing one of the world's foremost names in clubbing to the country of Taiwan should come the expertise in club management associated with MoS world wide. The first move made to encourage guests to travel the extra distance was to cover the cost of cab fares up to $250 New Taiwan Dollars (about $4 Euros) off the door charge. Since opening however, even though this offer has not been intensively promoted, the crowds keep flocking in. As well as this, since the launch of KK Taipei nearly ten years ago, a new freeway has been built that shaves at least five minutes off the time taken to travel from Taipei City. It's no exaggeration to say that during normal club operating hours, it can take only ten minutes to get from Taipei City to MoS. Not only that, but in recent years the number of car owners has increased dramatically in Taiwan. Instead of catering to punters on scooters who can only afford one drink, it's understandable that MoS Taipei seems to be more interested in affluent new car owners.

How does one of the UK's leading names in clubbing co-operate successfully with the all Taiwanese owners? Who better to ask than Peter Bowden who has been on site in Taipei for over one year: "Basically we have a very detailed brand direction from MoS and part of my role is to integrate our brand with the local market whilst ensuring we stick to our brand ideals, which involve providing the best lighting, sound, atmosphere and service where ever we are. In terms of entertainment we will bring the best entertainment, DJs, PA's, dancers, etc. from around the world. Every time you visit we want you to experience something new. Reliably unpredictable!" What does he think is the successful formula that will maintain great relations between UK and Taipei? "As long as business goes well relations will be great." Indeed.

The process of creating a new venue in a foreign country involved various cultural and language differences. As Bowden said "This is part of the excitement and challenge in opening MoS's around the world. Having to communicate through interpreters, meant some things took longer than usual. In a western disco only about 10 % is seating but in Taiwan it's 30 to 40%. People tend to stand more in the West, but here (in Taipei) people want to have their own seat and be served."

How is MoS Taipei different from other international MoS venues? One outstanding element is the influence of Fong-Shuei on construction and ongoing management.

Despite unexpectedly exploding the original design plans, the local fong shuei master insisted that a large tree be 'planted' on the construction site. Later, because it failed to take root (possibly attacked by some nasty new subterranean virus), it was removed and another tree was put in its place. Hopefully this one will survive and bring new green growth to MoS. Bowden revealed that "the position of our entrance, toilets, cash room, even the shape of our cash desk has been determined by the Fong-Shuei man which did cause some concern from our UK designer (GMP Design) but it's too important to ignore this belief so whatever he said we implemented....The opening date was very important". (And probably why there was no soft opening.) Vanessa Tuan, Supervisor, Promotion, said that even the desks in MoS offices had to be repositioned and the boss was not allowed to sit down until the Fong-Shuei master deemed the time was right. mondo*dr wonders when we are going to see Peter Bowden bringing a wizened Taiwanese Fong-Shuei master to London to bring HQ up to par.

How is MoS Taipei different from other clubs in Taiwan? MoS has been purpose built from the ground up, though neither the first nor the largest, it's the only existing venue of its kind in this country. What's more is that MoS is fully licensed for dance, not a venue that bureaucratic restrictions demand dining tables and chairs be dragged back and forth from the dance-floor. Each bar at MoS is themed or sponsored after alcohol and tobacco brands, there's the Johnnie Walker Bar stage left, the Absolut Vodka Bar (with its delightful views and angles), upstairs are the Macallan Sky Bar (Ultra VIP lounge), Chivas Regal Bar and dancefloor, back downstairs there's also the Mild Seven bar, stage right off the main dancefloor. That hasn't stopped teenage targeted MTV Asia from holding major events at MoS Taipei already.

What's special and unique about the entertainment technology? MoS Taipei is the world's first permanent venue to use High End's award winning DL1s (see box out). Incorporating eight Macintosh computers running OS X, each computer serves two DL1's, creating astounding moving projected light shows that will do everything except freeze for mondo's camera. It goes without saying that MoS lives up to its second name - Sound is dominated by products from EV and features their latest line array system - the XLC series. Some 24 of the XLC127+ units are located around the venue's main dancefloor alone, whilst the P3000RL remote control amplifier provides the power. Elsewhere products from Midas (Venice 240 and XL88) and Klark Teknik (DN360) add further manipulation. How is the sound? According to Taiwan based UK turntablist Daniel Jackson AKA DJ DJ, who attended the opening party and heard the system being put through its initial paces: "(It) really sounds well balanced all over, directed at the listener wherever the listener goes..."

What's next for MoS? Flush with their recent success in Taiwan, it would appear their plans for world dominance remain unabated. Peter Bowden's final word: "If anyone would like us to open an MoS in their country and would like to come and see what we can do then contact us." An invitation if ever there was one.

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16 x High End DL-1; 8 x High End Catalyst System Server; 20 x High End Studio Beam PC; 1 x High End Whole Hog III Console; 2 x Flying Pig Whole Hog III Data Processing unit; 1 x Flying Pig Hog 500 Console; 22 x High End Color Pro CMY; 2 x High End Whole HogPC Playback Wing; 4 x High End DL-1 Infrared Camera; 6 x High End Studio Spot 575 MSR W/CMY
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Dance Floor: 24 x EV XLC127+ 12 x EV X-SUB; 8 x EV QRx115; 18 x EV P3000RL; 2 x EV DX38; 1 x Midas Venice 240; 1 x Midas XL88; 1 x Klark-Teknik DN3600; 2 x Allen & Heath Xone:62; 2 x Pioneer DJM-600; 1 x RANE MP2016; 1 x RANE XP2016; 10 x Technics SL1200MK5G; 7 x Pioneer CDJ1000MKII; Large Balcony: 8 x EV EVID 6.2; 4 x EV EVID 12.1; Sub Dance Floor: 4 x EV QRx115; 2 x EV QRx 218S; 2 x EV SX-300; 1 x Allen & Heath IDR-8; 1 x EV DX-38; 1 x Klark-Teknik DN360; 1 x Pioneer DJM600; 2 x Technics SL1200MK5G; 2 x Pioneer CDJ1000 MKII; Small Balcony: 14 x EV EVID 6.2; 7 x EV EVID 12.1; Sky Lounge: 8 x EV EVID 6.2; 2 x E-V EVID 12.1; 1 x Klark-Teknik DN360; 1 x Pioneer DJM909; 2 x Pioneer CDJ1000 MKII PCCW

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