Following their acclaimed debut and a wave of international press,
“Ridiculously talented … a sonic world in which ancient spirits rise to run riot through a hyper-modern, neon-lit metropolis.” — Songlines ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Top of the World (Oct 2025)
Tian Qiyi (Featuring Jah Wobble) Live in Music Room 15th February 8pm. Get Ticket
BIOGRAPHY
Tian Qiyi is a genre-defying sibling duo creating immersive live experiences by blending traditional Chinese and Mongolian instruments with dub, post-punk, and experimental grooves. They are sons of Zilan Liao (gu zheng) and Jah Wobble (post-punk bass legend), and their performances include live-looped erhu, morin khuur, yangqin, bass, drums, and voice.
Both of their critically acclaimed albums — Red Mist (2023) and Songs for Workers (2025) — have earned the prestigious Top of the World rating from Songlines Magazine. The debut propelled them onto major stages, with standout performances at Valkhof Festival (NL), Musicport, Rough Trade (London & Liverpool), and Liverpool Sound City, while the sophomore release dives deeper into heritage and improvisation as creative forces.
In October 2025, Tian Qiyi completed their debut European tour with shows in Amsterdam, Germany, and Belgium — introducing their immersive sound to new audiences and laying the groundwork for a growing fanbase across mainland Europe.
Tian Qiyi have collaborated with Richard Russell (XL Recordings), Ken Boothe, Horace Andy, and members of Invaders of the Heart, receiving international coverage and multiple BBC radio plays.
HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE
- Songlines “Top of the World” – Red Mist 4 ½ stars (Oct 2023)
- Songlines “Top of the World” – Songs for Workers 5 stars (Oct 2025)
- “Absolutely fantastic.” — Gideon Coe, BBC Radio 6 Music (2025)
- “Great album.” — Marc Riley, BBC Radio 6 Music (2025)
- “A real highlight of the festival” – Liverpool Sound City (Becky Ayres, MD)
- Headline slot – Jacaranda stage, Liverpool Sound City (2025)
- Musicport Festival (2025)
- Rough Trade (London & Liverpool, 2025)
- Ranked #4 of the day and #12 overall – Valkhof Festival (NL), out of 300+ acts (3voor12/VPRO, 2023)
- Half-hour live session + interview with John Kennedy Xposure (November 2025)
- Half-hour live session (4 songs + interview) with Dead Air Records, Liverpool (2025) – Watch Here
- Featured in media across Asia, Europe, and the Americas
Press Coverage and Summary
UK Coverage
God Is In The TV Zine – “Sonically rich, culturally layered, and genre-blending in every sense.” (Read article)
Higher Plain Music – “Tian Qiyi is truly genre-defying and one of the most unique sounds I’ve heard in recent years…The folk fusion is superb, and since discovering this track, I’ve had it on repeat. “ (Read article)
Sound Read Six – “They bring in influences ranging from the momentous Miles Davis to the casual and creative Kula Shaker, blending genres with the daring spirit of experimental exploration.” (Read article)
Pete’s Rock News and Views –“an introduction to their groundbreaking musical journey, which bridges generations and cultures, blending deep dub grooves with Chinese and Celtic traditions.” (Read the article)
Darkus Magazine – “Tian Qiyi craft a sound shaped by the magnetic tension between ancient tradition and dub futurism, East and west, land and spirit – a musical space that is uniquely their own.”
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE
United States
The Big Takeover: It is music of the world, but it is also music for the world, music that, instead of demanding labels and compartments, or that you can point to on a map, actually defies genre and geography, style and sound, and even era.. (Read article)
Europe & Latin America
Brazil AS: “A stunning example of East-West sound fusion.” (Read the article)
De Queruza (Argentina): “A spiritual, genreless, borderless sonic experience. Tian Qiyi bridges