Concert Review: Shreya Ghoshal (London)
Concert details:
Date: Monday 6th May 2013
Location: Royal Albert Hall, London
Organisers: TLC Events & Rock On Music
It was her first time singing at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall and you could almost feel the excitement when Shreya Ghoshal tweeted about how special the night was going to be that morning. With a promise of singing her most soulful songs, Ghoshal’s night at the Royal Albert Hall was one with an electrifying atmosphere from start to finish. BBC Asian Network’s Tommy Sandhu and Noreen Khan kicked off the evening and introduced the host of the night, Jeffrey Iqbal.
Iqbal was perhaps the life and soul of the night aside from the leading lady. His swagger and his vocals coupled with his sense of humour and energy; Iqbal’s persona lured you in. Despite not being an act that was advertised for the tour, he managed to entertain the audience successfully.
Ghoshal had chosen 2004’s winner of ‘Saregama’ to accompany her, Hrishikesh Ranade. Ranade was, quite simply, the epitome of versatility and in the duets with Ghoshal he held his own and fit into the various genres of music that Ghoshal herself is well known for. From Sonu Nigam’s Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin to Radha, Ranade showed he was a force to be reckoned with and totally comfortable singing alongside Ghoshal.
Ghoshal’s presence was absolutely awe-inspiring. The melodious renditions of her own songs and also of songs from yesteryear in a special 100 years of Bollywood tribute, Ghoshal made the night into an instantly nostalgic one. To hear songs like Ehsaan Tera Hoga, Lag Ja Gale and Saason Ki Zaroorat in her angelic voice was enough to make it a more than memorable evening.
Ghoshal interacted with audiences around the hall in her own unique way, at one time even ��addressing one audience member’s calls for the volume to be louder. She was impressed by the audience’s totally-in-tune singalong to popular track Teri Ore as well as joking that she was responsible for the song Bade Acche Lagte Hain being turned into a saas-bahu serial.
Ghoshal’s sweet and goosebump-giving performances throughout the night proved a hit from the word go. One can only congratulate the singer for being the first solo act in recent times to have a sell-out concert at Royal Albert Hall and leaving those present the feeling of not wanting the night to end.
To conclude, it would be fair to say that if Ghoshal came again in the next few years for a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, it’s one those that missed out should definitely look to attend next time. It is also an event that those who were in attendance would undoubtedly want to experience again.
The night’s song list:
1. Silsila Yeh Chaahat Ka
2. Chalo Tumko Lekar Chalein
3. Agar Tum Miljao
4. Leja Leja
5. Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai
6. Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai
7. Teri Ore
8. Aashiyaan
9. Piya O Re Piya
10. Saibo
11. Saans
12. Bade Acche Lagte Hai
13. Piyu Bole
14. Yeh Ishq Hai
15. Mashallah
16. Ooh La La
17. Radha
INTERVAL
18. Awaaz De Kahaan Hai
19. Main Kya Jaanu Kya Jaadu Hai
20. Tum Ne Jaane Kis Jahaan Pe Kho Gaye
21. Jaya Kahan Hai Diwane
22. Aapki Nazron Nai Samjha
23. Ajeeb Dastaan
24. Ehsaan Tera Hoga
25. Deewana Hua Baadal
26. Aaj Kal Tere Mere
27. Kora Kaagaz
28. Roop Tera Mastana
29. Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja
30. Duniya Mein
31. Pyar Karne Wale Shaan Se
32. Naino Mein Sapna
33. Pehla Nasha
34. Kehna Hai Kya
35. Dola Re
36. Balma
37. Chikni Chameli
38. Thode Badmaash
39. Waada Raha
40. Saathiya
41. Lag Ja Gale
42. Mere Dholna
