Kandara live concert Indigo Arena, in London
UK, 6 January: Pokhareli band Kandara has held its first concert in London under the title ‘First Homeland and Abroad’.
Kandara performed his historic concert at the world-famous Indigo at the O2 on Saturday in front of an audience of over 2,500. The band celebrated its 32nd anniversary on stage. Kandara called the O2 evening historic and unforgettable. At a venue where Nepali programs are rare, singer Bivek Shrestha mesmerized the audience for nearly two hours with the unique live music of instrumentalists from Nepal.
Singer Shrestha, holding a handkerchief in his pocket, sang songs such as, “This festival of life is a blessing from God,” “He went abroad,” “Lekki Hey Maya Mohini Alla Lagaan,” “Hong Kong Pokhara,” “Timi Hase Hasidiunla Roye Fakaunla,” “Elame chiyale miteri layo,” “Chiso Chiso Hawama,” “Shangrilako lek bhari fulai fulako basana,” “Hey kasto thauma ayo solti” “Fulchowkiko dandaima,” “Chanchle Kanchhiko,” “Kaha Hideki Kun Thau Manaki E Pari,” “Timi Pari Tyo gaonma,” “Balla Talla Bhet Bhako” and others. The audience said “Once More” to each of his songs.
According to the organizer Mamaghar Entertainment, about 2,800 viewers were present at the O2 concert. Singer Shrestha sang Gopal Yonjan’s ‘Dherai Chha garnu Swadeshko Sewa Nepali Bannalai’ and appealed to Nepali people in the UK to return to Nepal. An excited Shrestha said after the success of the program, “It was my dream to perform in this place where world music legends have performed. Today, it is still like a dream for me to be able to sing among Nepali brothers, sisters, and parents in this historic hall.”
Audience
The current line-up of Kandara includes Bivek Shrestha on vocals, Sunil Thapa on drums, Dev Lama on lead guitar, Pankaj Jha on bass guitar, Avinash Gayek on Madal, and Umesh Thapa on keyboards. Sunil Thapa, who plays drums, has been a member of the band since its inception.
Kandara has announced a nationwide and world tour schedule under the slogan ‘First Homeland, Then Abroad’ for the year 2024-25, as a celebration year of his 32-year musical journey. Following this concert, the band will perform in Dubai, Qatar, and Hong Kong this June, then in Australia and New Zealand in March-April, the US in May, Canada in June, and various European countries in July-August, before performing in Japan in August-September.
This band, which has completed 32 years of Nepali folk-pop music, has stated that it will continue its musical legacy by presenting a fusion of pop and modern music to Nepali youth.
