Over the next 10 years, the band has been enlarged both physically and conceptually. The performers have collaborated with national and international choreographers for dance and music, as well as being involved with Liu's albums and film soundtracks. The band has performed live everywhere from Europe to America.

Liu is confident that her unique approach to music will be accepted by audiences in Shanghai.

"This time a folk music band will take the place of my rock band. It's one of the aspects of my music through which I seek freedom and try to break from the conventional forms," she says. "I hope the audience will feel relaxed while enjoying my music."

Also on the stage at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center will be the London-born Zimbabwean singer Netsayi who embarks on a musical journey in search for her roots; Amrta, a band from Shanghai; and Zakir Hussain, a classical tabla (an Indian drum) virtuoso famed for his consistently brilliant and exciting performances.

At Century Park, five ensembles will present two shows of international music: Samba Batucada from Brazil will bring their carnival music from South America; Yi's Playground will present authentic music from the Huayao Yi minority group of China; Les Ballets African De Guinea will showcase their striking traditional dances from Africa; the Tibetan and Qiang from Aba, an ethnic group in Sichuan Province, will dazzle the stage with the fusion of Tibetan and Qiang minority music.

Also joining the holiday festivities will be the Shrine Synchro System, DJs famous for mixing Afro rhythms with electronic sounds. The Shrine Synchro System, one of the world's foremost DJ units, is a pioneer of the Afro beat and established a legendary club in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria's economic capital.

During the week-long music festival, the organizers will also hold a forum with the Cultural and Education Section of the British Consulate General in Shanghai on May 5 at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center.

Experts and artists from both China and the UK will exchange views and experiences of developing music scenes in both countries.

The participants include Tian Qing, director of the Center of Protection of Oral and Non-material Cultural Heritage of China, performer Sola Liu, Professor Rachel Harris from the School of Oriental and African Studies of London University, and Clair Whitaker, the man behind the BBC World Music Awards.

(Shanghai Daily April 24, 2009)