Chen Ming aims to meet her audiences in a simple and intimate atmosphere for her upcoming Beijing concert. Provided to China Daily

She was surprised to find the industry had changed when she released a new album in 2009.

"Since 2005 - and especially with the rise of TV singing competitions - the industry wants more entertaining stories than music," she explains.

"When I brought a new album to a TV shows set, nobody wanted me to sing or talk about my old songs. They told me audiences want to watch games and hear stories about my family."

The industry's changes largely follow attention spans', Chen believes.

"People want something that instantly catches their ears," she says.

"They don't have time to read the lyrics and savor the melodies. I still live in the old days. So I felt uncomfortable about the new environment."

The Beijing concert will be simple and intimate, Chen says. She'll sing more than 20 tunes from her past 20 years.

But while honing in on nostalgia for the forthcoming concert, Chen isn't solely living in the days of yore. A new album is in the works, she says.

"I see the concert as a new start," she says.

"My return isn't too stressful. I'm learning to adapt to today. And I don't want to keep singing the same songs for the sake of sales."