A grassland reunion in New York

"Before each round, wrestlers walk into the arena accompanied by this music," Ilich says. "At a certain moment in the song, they enter. It is a very important part of the tradition."

Hanggai transforms that ceremonial music into a powerful rock composition, creating a conversation between ancient ritual and contemporary sound.

Other songs also revisit traditional repertoire. Swan and Dependence are based on folk songs from Ordos, while Herdsman draws from Buryat traditions. The band reshapes these melodies through modern arrangements while preserving their emotional essence.

The album Wheel of Fortune marks the band's 20th anniversary. Their sixth studio album Big Band Brass, created with a 13-member American jazz brass ensemble, drew mixed reactions.

As Hanggai continues to evolve, the band has also faced questions from listeners who find their newer work more difficult to categorize.

Ilich says the band is not focused on following expectations.

"Some songs are not immediately appreciated," he says. "Years later, people discover them. That has happened with some of our earlier work."

For him, the most important quality in music is originality.

"AI can already complete many basic tasks," he says. "For musicians, the more important thing is to find something that cannot be replaced — the ability to create, and your own perspective."

"Music is not only about form. It is also about ideas."

Years of international touring have also changed the band's understanding of music and identity.

"When you experience different cultures around the world, your thinking naturally changes," he says. "That change becomes part of the music."

After its Lincoln Center performance, Hanggai will continue touring North America and Europe while beginning to work on its next album.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn