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A grassland reunion in New York

By Chen Nan | China Daily | Updated: 2026-07-25 10:08

Hanggai, an eight-member ensemble known for blending the old Mongolian art with contemporary musical influences, performs in Beijing on Dec 29, 2024, after releasing their album Wheel of Fortune. CHINA DAILY

The program has been arranged to reflect Hanggai's evolution — from traditional Mongolian folk music to modern rock, electronic textures, and new compositions that continue to expand Hanggai's creative horizons.

"Many times, when we play at festivals, we only have a short time," Ilich says. "With 90 minutes, audiences can experience a fuller picture of Hanggai. They can hear the traditional instruments, the contemporary elements, the electronic sounds, and the rock energy."

The band's return also carries a sense of reunion.

"Last year when we performed in New York, we met many people we had not seen for a long time," Ilich says. "This year feels like another reunion."

On July 15, Wheel of Fortune was also released in physical CD and vinyl editions. The album began taking shape during the uncertainty of the pandemic, when international touring came to a standstill.

"At that time, we didn't know when we would perform again," Ilich recalls. "Sometimes several members of the band would travel to Inner Mongolia's pastoral areas to find inspiration."

The album developed gradually — from musical ideas and fragments into arrangements, and finally into completed compositions.

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