Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party is throwing a 40th-anniversary concert in Taipei, doubling as a campaign rally for its 2026 local election candidates — a positive show of unity for the party ahead of a crucial election year.

• President Lai Ching-te, who also chairs the DPP, and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim released a video urging supporters to turn out for the "Passing on 40 · Democratic Resonance" concert.
• Key 2026 mayoral and county candidates, including Taipei's Puma Shen, New Taipei's Su Chiao-hui and Yilan's Lin Kuo-chang, will give short speeches, and other candidates will sing on stage.
• The program is built around four themes — "Democratic Taiwan," "Mother Taiwan," "Local Taiwan" and "Progressive Taiwan" — with veteran Taiwanese folk and Golden Melody singers performing well-known local songs.
• Candidates will perform in Hakka, Taiwanese, Amis and Mandarin, stressing the party's message of a diverse, home-grown Taiwanese identity.
• A surprise "heavyweight guest" is promised, and the party is asking attendees to use public transit and leave large flags and campaign materials at home.

Outlook: Expect the DPP to lean on this kind of nostalgia-and-identity messaging to fire up its base as the 2026 local elections approach.