Theatre practitioner and street performer Tai Chun Wai had his first taste of drumming at age 13 when he played the “24 Festive Drums” in secondary school. These percussive instruments represent the cycle of 24 festivals in the Chinese lunar calendar, with each drum representing one festival.

“The performance involved moving to the beats and rhythms of the drums, which led me to fall in love with dancing as well,” said the 30-year-old, a member of performing arts troupe Orang Orang Drum Theatre, who is fondly known by his stage name Waai Waii.

Upon finishing school, Tai joined the performance group HANDS Percussion, during which time he learnt more about theatre performances. Then, during a trip to Europe with the group, he came across street drummers who used recycled objects, and was immediately inspired.

In 2017, he decided to try his own hand at street drumming with pre-used objects. His first performance was in Bukit Bintang.

“I was excited and shy as it was my first time. I used fewer items as I wasn’t really good at it then,” he told FMT, adding that, apart from attending a few workshops, he has never had formal drum lessons.

Tai has since incorporated more items in his performances – old frying pans, pots, tins, plastic containers, and even a water pipe.

In addition to a pair of bongos, he uses crash and ride cymbals, which have been beaten out of shape thanks to his energetic and spirited performances.

He likes the fact that he doesn’t need to spend any money on his “instruments”, which create loud sounds that are suitable for street performance as he always has to compete with the noise from traffic.

Having only previously played in theatres and shopping malls, Tai finds performing on the street to be an entirely different experience. “There is no audience on the street; I have to attract people who are passing by,” he said.

Thankfully, he doesn’t have to try too hard – onlookers, both local and foreign, tend to be captivated by Tai’s vivacious drumming, which is steeped in addictive techno grooves.

“I’m happy when I see people smile,” he added. “Adults usually bob their heads to the beat, and sometimes children and even homeless people come up and dance.”

This, of course, is something he had not experienced prior, as audiences in theatres are usually seated.

Freedom and fuel

Tai usually busks on weekend evenings, either on the streets or in malls around the Klang Valley. He has even drummed at several pasar malam, although some people found him to be rather noisy.

“They were happy at first, but when the aura changed, I didn’t go back,” he shared.

He has also busked in states as far as Penang and Johor, and in 2018 was invited to perform at the Grasstraw arts festival in Taiwan.

Given that his performance has improved over time, Tai now receives more tips from appreciative passersby compared with when he first started. It isn’t always money, however.

“Sometimes I find random things in my tip jar, like a packet of rice, mangoes, and even a religious pendant,” he said with a laugh.

And although he loves what he does, he admits it can get taxing every now and then. Nevertheless, “I feel so much freedom when I play as I’m not under any organiser… it’s only me and the audience.

“It’s a nice feeling being able to make something happen in a space,” he said, “to be able to inject ‘fuel’ into passersby.”

Tai will perform at the Kaleidoscope Drumming Festival at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur, from Oct 6-9. Click here for more information.

To keep updated on future performances, check out his Facebook and YouTube accounts.