Nepali band Nepathya’s songs once again resonated at the famous Wembley Arena in the UK. On Saturday evening, Nepathya delivered a grand performance in front of 10,000 audience members. The band had also performed at Wembley 12 years ago.
At Saturday’s concert, the band started their performance with the song “Koshi Ko Pani” and presented a total of 18 songs. Singer Amrit Gurung composed this song long before Nepathya was formed, while living in Yangjakot, Kaski. Pushkal Gurung, a childhood friend who raised Amrit in the village, is also a witness to the song’s creation. Pushkal was present in the audience in London on Saturday as Amrit sang this song.
“Seeing this song, which Amrit composed while playing guitar in front of us in the village, captivate such a huge audience here in London almost 35 years later was beyond my imagination,” Pushkal said. “History was made at Wembley on Saturday. I am honored to have witnessed it.”
During the concert, singer Amrit not only performed songs but also shared his experience of collecting songs, inspired the audience to preserve the Nepali language and culture, praised the homeland, and called on the youth living abroad to stay connected with Nepal.
“Seeing a sea of people—from children to the elderly—loving Nepali music and language made me feel that Nepathya’s 35 years of dedication has been rewarded,” said Amrit Gurung. “Having such a large turnout at Wembley is historic. This love for Nepali music created this opportunity, and it has given me the energy to keep singing and working hard.”
Amrit Gurung said he takes the higher audience turnout at overseas shows compared to Kathmandu as a mark of respect for Nepali music. “I feel that audiences from various European countries came to the concert because of Nepathya’s folk-based music that carries the scent of Nepali soil,” he said.
At almost every performance, the audience kept calling for “one more.” Although Nepathya has traditionally declined such requests in past concerts, their final song has always been “Rato Ra Chandra Surya,” after which the band bids farewell from the stage.
Nepathya performance
However, this time at Wembley, Nepathya could not refuse the audience’s “one more” calls. Respecting the crowd’s request, the band performed an additional song, “Himal Chuchure.”
Some audience members came from far beyond London to attend the concert, including Wilko and his family from the Netherlands. Wilko, a medical physicist, is mentioned in Nepathya’s recently published biography. When Amrit’s voice started to fade, Wilko was among those who offered valuable advice for his throat treatment. Twelve years ago, after the concert at Wembley, backstage Amrit had expressed heartbreak over his failing voice, and both old friends looked at each other emotionally.
“But this time was amazing,” Wilko said after watching Saturday’s concert. “Seeing Amrit jump and dance on stage with the same old energy brought me immense joy.” He praised Amrit and his team’s dedication for taking Nepali music and culture even to Nepalis living abroad.
On stage, Amrit was supported by Dhruv Lama on drums, Suvin Shakya on bass guitar, Neeraj Gurung on guitar, Shanti Rayamajhi on madal, and Dineshraj Regmi on keyboard.
Kiran Krishna Shrestha, manager of Nepalaya, said Nepathya’s performance at Wembley set a new standard. “The plan to bring Nepathya to the world-famous Wembley was already a success as a foundation 12 years ago,” Shrestha said. “Today, Nepathya not only surpassed the old benchmark at this hall but possibly gathered the largest Nepali audience ever inside a closed venue in the history of Nepali music.”
Nepathya’s Wembley tour was organized by the UK-based “BSK Entertainment” and “Parcha Production.” Deependra Lama from the organizing team said, “For the 10,000 audience members, tonight was unforgettable. We thank everyone who helped rewrite Nepathya’s history at Wembley so grandly.”
Right after the Wembley show, Nepathya will continue its European tour. On August 23, Nepathya will perform in Copenhagen, Denmark. This will be followed by shows on August 27 in Attard, Malta, August 31 in Lisbon, Portugal, and finally on September 3 in Antwerp, Belgium. Upcoming concerts are also scheduled in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, and other countries.
