Gong's songs capture China

On Dec 6, veteran folk music singer Gong Linna's concert series, Walking Sounds: National Style Music Concert, held its grand finale at the Jinan Grand Theatre in Shandong province, marking the end of a 29-show tour, with plans for more next year.

Gong's much-anticipated folk album, Tidal Goddess, is set for release in March.

The tour, which highlights Chinese folk music, premiered in Shanghai on Sept 12, 2022, and has since played across the country, attracting loyal fans and new listeners. At the time of its conception, Gong, who is known for her inventive technique and combination of traditional and contemporary music, had concerns about how her music would be received. She worried that the audience might dismiss folk songs as old-fashioned, but her pioneering interpretation gave traditional songs a fresh and contemporary twist.