When Beijing-based punk rocker Ilchi heard throat singing for the first time, he was determined to investigate his family's Inner Mongolian heritage. He journeyed there, met two traditional musicians named Hugejiltu and Bagen, and soon Hanggai was born. Based in Beijing but devoted to traditional Mongolian songs, Hanggai's spacious, undeniably gorgeous music has won it many fans --and accolades from international press including the Guardian, the Observer, Pitchfork, NPR, Popmatters and many more -- as they embarked on their recent tour across the USA and Europe.

Hanggai sing about Mongolian Robin Hoods, mix throat singing with rock instruments, and dress like men of the steppes even though they live in the teeming metropolis of Beijing. But embodying contradictions comes naturally to ethnic minorities in China -- only this time it's different. With their elegant songs, top-notch production and strangely familiar tunes, Hanggai have made the leap from folk phenomenon to crossover pioneers -- without losing their soul. This is a not-to-miss show. Music this powerfully intimate does not come around often.

www.myspace.com/hanggaiband

www.hanggai.co.uk