The Bollywood singer Arijit Singh is back in Dubai this weekend for Arijit Singh Live at Hard Rock Cafe. The musician, who started his career after participating on the reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005, rose to fame in 2013 with the track Tum Hi Ho from the romantic drama Aashiqui 2, and has gone on to become one of Bollywood's best-loved voices.
Gig of the season
This concert has been dubbed “the biggest concert of summer 2015” and rightfully so. The last time Gulf Technical brought Singh to Dubai – for his first unplugged performance, also at Hard Rock Cafe – on April 19 last year, the sold-out concert went on to win the Best Asian Concert gong at last year’s Masala Awards. Diehard fans will be out in full force for this weekend’s concert, tables for which sold out within weeks of going on sale.
New hits
Singh last performed in Dubai on January 15 at the Dubai World Trade Centre alongside London's Grand Symphony Orchestra. Since then, he has recorded and released many chart-toppers, most of which fans will hear live for the first time this Saturday. The most keenly anticipated songs are: Hamari Adhuri Kahani from the film of the same name, and Chunar from ABCD 2. Fans can also look forward to Sooraj Dooba Hai from Roy, Judaai from Badlapur and Teri Khushboo from Mr X – all released this year.
Return of the classics
Every Arijit Singh fan has a favourite from the singer's repertoire of super hits. At the top of the list, besides Tum Hi Ho, are Chahun Mai Ya Naa, Kabira, Main Rang Sharbaton Ka, Kabhi Jo Badal Barse, Muskurane, Sawan Aaya Hai and Baatein Ye Kabhi.
Unplugged in an intimate venue
At Singh’s January concert in Dubai, he performed to a crowd of 4,500 alongside 50 musicians. Saturday’s concert is going to be the complete opposite: intimate, with a handful of musicians, and a small audience that should expect plenty of interaction with the singer.
The supporting acts
Apart from Singh, there will be performances by local artists: rock band Rooh, Knox Artiste, DJ Shadow and DJ Buddha. DJ Shadow won Best DJ at Ahlan!’s Best in Dubai 2013 awards, Masala Awards 2012/2010 and World Top DJs 2012/2011. Knox Artiste is an audio engineer with 10 years of experience and some great remixes to his credit. The Dubai-based desi band Rooh will rock the stage ahead of Singh’s performance. It won’t be a new experience for the band, who were the opening act for the Bollywood actor and singer Farhan Akhtar at the Hard Rock Cafe in 2013.
• Arijit Singh Live at Hard Rock Cafe is on Saturday, June 13; doors open at 7pm. The show is sold out. For more information, call 800 4827 or 050 600 0836
artslife@thenational.ae
