Chinese singer-songwriter Wang Sulong, also known as Silence Wang, recently concluded his monthlong Rise of Romance world tour, marking a milestone in both his personal career and the growth of original Mandopop (Mandarin popular music).
Wang, born in Shenyang, Northeast China’s Liaoning province, graduated from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. The 36-year-old, with 12 albums under his belt, has demonstrated extraordinary stamina by juggling multiple creative projects. January marked the conclusion of his concert series One Hundred Thousand Volts 2.0, while May will see the launch of his next tour, Age of Romance.
The addition of Rise of Romance to his calendar made 2026 a year unlike any other, with Wang achieving the rare feat of having three concert tours within a single year. These tours each have distinct themes, requiring different sets of stage designs, setlists and choreography.
In 2025, Wang was named one of”12 Artists Helping Mandopop Become the Next Global Genre” by grammy.com, alongside artists such as Jay Chou, G. E. M., JJ Lin and Jolin Tsai. Wang is also among the top Mandopop artists on Spotify, averaging nearly 2 million monthly listeners on the platform as of Monday.
Spanning 31 days across five cities in Asia, North America and Oceania, the Rise of Romance tour attracted more than 100,000 attendees with 11 sold-out performances. The tour debuted on Feb 27 at the Galaxy Arena in China’s Macao Special Administrative Region. Wang performed three consecutive shows featuring innovative stage designs, including a custom-built roller coaster and a giant pink umbrella.
The production company invested heavily in these large-scale installations, knowing they wouldn’t be reused for overseas venues, to ensure that each performance was a unique experience. With Macao setting the tone, Wang ventured across hemispheres, bringing Mandarin music to some of the world’s most iconic arenas.
In New York, Wang performed two back-to-back shows at the Barclays Center on March 7 and 8, becoming the first Chinese mainland singer to do this at the venue, according to his company. Due to high demand during ticket presales, organizers added a second show, with both concerts attracting more than 20,000 attendees.
Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena hosted Wang on March 21 and 22. During ticket presales, the number of people queuing online to purchase reached 140,000. The proportion of non-Chinese attendees saw an increase and Wang became the first Chinese mainland singer to hold two consecutive concerts at this venue, according to his company. The concert featured the global debut of his new album track, My Answer, fostering an emotional connection that transcended cultural boundaries.
The journey concluded with three consecutive nights at Singapore Indoor Stadium from March 27 to 29, making it the only overseas stop on the tour to feature three consecutive shows.
The Rise of Romance tour was not a replication of Wang’s domestic concerts but a new production tailored for international audiences. As an independent narrative inspired by the concept of a “Romance City”, the tour presented Mandarin music through storytelling and artistic exploration.
The setlists included hits such as Ring of Time, Soul of the Sword, Legends of the Three Kingdoms and Dragon Hidden in the Mirror, featuring traditional Chinese instruments. Songs including Moli, Her Story, Just Want and How Can Love Be Wrong were performed in collaboration with local musicians, complemented by adaptations that incorporated elements of local culture, delivering a surprise to the audience.
This attention to detail extended beyond the music. Wang’s wardrobe also reflected his mission to promote Chinese culture and aesthetics internationally. During his debut in New York, he donned a traditional Chinese-style outfit crafted by Chinese designer Lan Yu. It featured an intricate peacock-feather motif, brought to life through the delicate art of Suzhou embroidery. As one of the four major Chinese silk embroidery styles, Suzhou embroidery is a nationally protected intangible cultural heritage. Under the glow of the stage lights, the patterns seemed to flow and shift with his every movement.
Throughout the tour, Wang managed to punctuate his performances with personal milestones, elevating the experience for fans. The Seattle performance on March 14 marked Wang’s 100th concert. Enthusiastic audiences attended despite the area being affected by a snowstorm. As a gesture of gratitude to his fans, he performed an additional song, Fine, and shared stories about how his fans braved the elements to see him live.
Wang’s achievements with Rise of Romance signal a step forward for Mandarin music’s journey abroad. Wang believes that “good music knows no time difference”. Whether through mesmerizing stage designs, culturally rich performances or creative adaptations of his music, Wang proved that exceptional artistry has the power to transcend borders, languages and time, leaving echoes of its beauty wherever it touches.
