[Photo/Global Times]

Multitalented Chinese artist Liu Sola will step on the stage for a New Year concert at Beijing's Forbidden City Concert Hall on January 3 with her friends, including guitarist Liu Yijun and percussionist Zhang Yangsheng. The 12-member Liu Sola & Friends band, based on the Sola & Friends which formed in New York in 1997, is regarded as one of the most pioneering Chinese bands in the country, playing free music styles from jazz to reggae.

"All 12 members in my band are equally important, though they play different roles in a concert," commented Liu, who rose to fame as a novelist in 1985 with her novel You Have No Choice, during a press conference at the Forbidden City Concert Hall on Wednesday. In 2002, Liu teamed up with Chinese musicians such as Li Zhengui and other American musicians to form the Liu Sola & Friends band. Their world debut in Berlin in 2003 became a smash hit, winning acknowledgement from German media.

The band is also known for its wide use of traditional Chinese instruments. "I don't want to see our style defined as Western vanguard or new music," she added.

At the upcoming concert, Liu and his friends will perform some of their old songs including "Shengsi Qingdian" (Birth and Death Ceremonies), "Babayi" (Papa Chair) and "Feiying" (Flying Shadow). "Although we can't present an entirely new show, we will perform some new material such as "Xinglunan" (Difficult Road Trip) from Blues in the East," introduced Liu.

When talking about his collaboration with Liu and the band's other members, former member of rock band Tang Dynasty and band new member Liu Yijun, also know as Laowu, said, "It's quite different from my previous experiences. The band has many diverse elements. I hope the work we do can promote our diverse local culture."