The Cabin of Dabing, a bar owned by Yan Bing, is a popular site known for its folk music performances in Lijiang, Yunnan province.[Photo/China Daily]

"We met our goal within such a short period of time. The result is within my expectation because of Yan's fan base," says Lu, who helped Yan initiate the project.

He visited Yan's bar toward the end of 2014 and was impressed by the folk performances.

Lu shot a 36-minute documentary on Yan and the bar, which has been watched more than 10 million times online since it was released earlier this year.

An album of songs of Yan and his fellow singers will be released ahead of the concert by Lu's company.

"I have never tried staging a concert through online crowdfunding before. I believe it will become one of the most popular and direct ways for indie musicians to connect with their fans," says Lu, who has worked with China's best-selling singer-songwriters, such as rock star Xie Tianxiao and folk singer Lao Lang.

The folk singers aren't commercially successful but they have found a niche market in Lijiang, he adds.

Lu says many singers, who travel across China and sing on the streets, don't have perfect technique and their songwriting skills aren't properly developed. But their personal stories are touching and that made Lu want to work with them, he says.

Yan, who is an enthusiast for outdoor activities such as camping and hiking, was born in Yantai city in East China's Shandong province. He graduated from Shandong University of Arts with a major in oil painting.