Founded in 1989 by brothers Mike and Noel Hogan, the band changed their name from The Cranberries Saw Us to The Cranberries after vocalist O'Riordan joined. They soon became one of the most popular Irish acts in the United States with their debut album, Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, which sold more than 5 million copies in the US alone.

O'Riordan, who was born and grew up in Limerick, Ireland, began to collaborate with other musicians, launching a solo album in 2007. Noel Hogan started a new band and turned to producing. The other two members also continued their careers as musicians and producers by working with other bands.

The members didn't set a timeline for a reunion until 2009, when O'Riordan called Mike and Noel Hogan about doing a casual performance with her. They found it felt good to play the old songs again.

Shortly after their reunion, the band gave two concerts in Shanghai and Beijing in July 2011 as part of their Asian tour that year, their first on the Chinese mainland. The band performed unforgettable tunes, including Ode to My Family, Dreams, Zombie and Linger, as well as four tracks from their then-upcoming album, Roses, released in 2012.

"We are really excited about going to China," said guitarist Noel Hogan in an interview with China Daily before the band left for China in 2011.

"Everything goes right for The Cranberries, the timing, the people and the music," he said of the band's reunion.