Liverpool originals China Crisis have always made music that’s far easier to love than to define. For more than four decades now Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon, collectively better known as China Crisis, have been writing and performing some of the most distinctive, catchy and sophisticated pop songs out there, from “Wishful Thinking”, “Black Man Ray”, and “King in a Catholic Style” to “Christian”, “Arizona Sky” and “Down Here on Earth”.

The band originally emerged in 1981 from their native Kirkby as the songwriting duo of vocalist/keyboardist Daly and guitarist/vocalist Lundon, who have been working together ever since. Citing influences as varied as Brian Eno, Davie Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Eric Satie and Talking Heads, it’s not surprising that their sound was quickly distinguishable amongst their peers, combining synth pop with reggae, country and other styles with their own unique melodies and harmonies to create distinctively sophisticated but catchy pop in a style all its own.

Their 2024 release China Greatness (featuring elevated, cinematic new arrangements of the songwriters’ own favourite tracks from across their catalogue, and mixed by multiple-Grammy award winner Mark Phythian) peaked in the album charts at record-setting levels for the band, and their recent tours around the globe have served to both build the loyalty of existing fans and entice new legions ardent new followers in the process. Truly beloved for their live performances which combine their engaging music with a healthy dose of Scouse humor, and with the clear kinship the band have with their fans, audiences always leave China Crisis shows all the happier for having been part of the moment.