BBC Asian Network Live – first live stand alone concert

April 29 2016

An eclectic lin-up with special guest appearances too…

FOR THE VERY first time in its history, the BBC Asian Network is hosting a concert of live music acts with top line artists such as Naughty Boy, Imran Khan, Arjun, Zack Knight, and Kanika Kapoor, all performing at the Eventim Apollo in London tomorrow (Saturday).

The evening also includes unique artist collaborations, with a host of top Indian music stars also making their UK debuts.
Comedian Paul Chowdhry (pictured right) is also appearing and expected to do a short stand-up set.

Breakfast show host and presenter Tommy Sandhu (pictured below) hosts the four-hour music extravaganza which also sees Fuse ODG, Jaz Dhami, Aastha Gill from India performing with Badshah, Raxstar and Divine.

Also appearing are artist Inkquisitive, Battle of Bollywood (dance troupes) and dancers from the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (an Indian cultural centre in West London).

Sandhu told www.asianculturevulture.com he is very excited by the prospect and can’t wait to introduce some of the acts and collaborations appearing on stage together for the first time.

He told us: “Only the Asian Network can put on a line-up like this – a true celebration of British Asian artists alongside international ones – with a few alternatives thrown in like Fuse ODG representing Afro beats and some stand-up comedy from Paul Chowdhry.”

He said the idea came as way of showcasing all that was good about the BBC Asian network and the music and artists it champions.
“We worked hard to put together a line-up that we feel truly represents what the Asian network is about – and I really feel like we’ve nailed it – this is us – this is the station saying ‘come check us out’ … You’re going to love it!”

Photographer: Jay Brooks

He said he is especially excited to be welcoming the Indian acts to the UK stage for the first time and said the comedy from Chowdhry would have people in stitches.

The show will be broadcast live on the Asian Network from 7pm and the whole show can be seen in the UK via the red button from Sunday (May 1) and highlights will be available on BBC i-player.

Sandhu said history was being created and you would get the chance to say you were there.

“This is the first Asian network live event ever -that means in years to come everyone will look back on this night as the first one, as the event that set the standards and officially said, ‘we are Asian Network and this is what we’re all about’.”

“We have never put on our own event like this in all of our years! Anyone coming, listening or taking part is part of an event that’s going to go down in history!”

Tickets are still available, see here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork