United Kingdom, 4th December 2023– Music aficionados in the United Kingdom were treated to an unforgettable and enthralling night of unadulterated revelry as the one of the biggest household names in the South-Asian music and entertainment industry, Badshah, delivered pioneering headlining performances in the region and shut down London and Leeds.
Notably, the sold-out historic performances marked Badshah’s debut set at the iconic arenas and arrived amidst unprecedented anticipation for his forthcoming album ‘Badworld’.
Most loved for his chart-topping radio hits, arresting stage presence and zealous fan interactions, the fourth most followed Indian musician on Spotify infused an invigorating surge of energy and enthusiasm to the illustrious Wembley’s Ovo Arena and First Direct Arena Leeds, as he presented a unique blend of Punjabi hip hop, Bollywood and pop music complemented with some acoustic shayari. The audience consisted of heterogeneous nationalities as well as guests with special needs and disabilities, who the rapper personally interacted with backstage upon the conclusion of his roaring show.
Billed as a truly immersive and experiential event; crowd pleasers like confetti, streamers, CO2 jets, holographic effects, DMX fire machines and pyrotechnics were deployed as the Billboard-charting South Asian music juggernaut made a larger-than-life splash on the stage along with his famous mammoth sized teddy bear and exotic dancers at his highly publicized tour. The 38-year-old global entertainer took the arenas by storm, sporting ultra-chic luxe gear and delighted his legions of fans across the United Kingdom over a smashing three-hour 27-track setlist.
The hip-hop trailblazer, who continues to drop top-selling records year after year, performed some of his most influential compositions including the recently released ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘Jawaab’ as well as his memorable hits from his older catalog such ‘Jugnu’, ‘Paani Paani’, ‘Garmi’, ‘DJ Waale Babu’, ‘Lets Nacho’, ‘Kala Chashma’, ‘Kar Gayi Chull’, ‘Genda Phool’, ‘Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai’ and ‘Paagal’.
The maiden two-city solo tour that saw the music icon perform in the United Kingdom after a six-year hiatus was received with thunderous encores on multiple occasions, with a 15,000 plus cumulative audience chanting his name in unison. Interestingly, while both stadiums had a seated arrangement, midway through the show, the majority of the attendees were atop their seats screaming their lungs out and dancing like nobody was watching. A heartwarming moment that took the spirited audience by surprise was when Badshah emerged from the centre of the stadium like a phoenix perched atop a hydraulic stage to give an up close and personal experience to his fans stationed at the farther end of the arena. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly when all the concertgoers showed their appreciation for their favourite artist by holding up their cell phone lights in synchronization as the arena lights dimmed, creating a spine-tingling visual experience. In his archetypal modest style, Badshah was quick to express gratitude on multiple counts, as he referenced how legends like Michael Jackson, Black Pink, Gurudas Maan had performed at the venue previously as well as bowed down to the audience with folded hands as the performance came to a conclusion.
Heralding a first for the global South Asian community, Badshah supported wellbeing brand Rain Dance Colour Festival which supports charities such as The British Asian Trust, Manchester Mind, Bipolar UK to lend support to conversations around mental health and wellbeing, establishing the significance of driving social impact messaging through live entertainment.
Badshah who sported custom-made Sidhu Moose Wala earplugs throughout the show as a mark of respect says, “A big shoutout to all my fans in the U.K. for coming out over the weekend. It has been an incredibly delightful experience for me and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the music and making memories with each one of you. It takes a lot to pull off shows like these and I thank all the stakeholders involved in making this tour a success and I look forward to performing again real soon!”
Saurabh Abbi, CEO, TM Ventures who manages Badshah adds on, “We are grateful that Badshah enjoys a great fan base not only in India but also across various countries around the world. The kind of response we received in the U.K. has surpassed our expectations and we are thankful for all the heartwarming messages coming in from the live event and music community. We look forward to taking the Badshah Live experience to different corners of the world next year.”
Sunny Sethi, Executive Creative Producer, Imagine X Global says, “The North has bred musical legends, from the Beatles in Liverpool to Ed Sheeran’s Yorkshire roots. It’s a region steeped in music history, and we’re excited to add Badshah’s name to this illustrious list. Our production isn’t just a concert; it’s an immersive experience that allows Badshah to connect and resonate with his fans. We’re also harnessing the power of the arts to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing, creating a space where fans can come together for a night of escapism and community.”
Govind Shahi, Executive Vice President, IndiaCast UK Ltd says, “The ‘Badshah Live In UK’ concerts orchestrated a symphony of applause, resonating not just with our enthusiastic audience but also harmonizing seamlessly with our esteemed partners! This surge of success, driven by pulsating foot-stomping beats and captivating dancing grooves, underscores our steadfast commitment to delivering exhilarating, captivating, and avant-garde experiences for our customers and partners in the UK. As a network deeply connected with our audience, we are dedicated to crafting unforgettable moments, and the rhythmic energy of a lively LIVE audience inspires us to curate an even more magnificent and melodious lineup for the upcoming year. In a nightclub-esque atmosphere, Colors was thrilled to be part of this live audience, witnessing why the “bad boy” is truly the Badshah of today’s music scene.”
Tony Lit, Managing Director, Sunrise Radio says, “As the UK’s number Asian commercial radio station it’s part of our DNA to deliver entertainment and content experiences like no other , and I think this weekend at Wembley arena Sunrise alongside side its co promoters rock on music and colors did just that , Tony Lit MBE managing director of sunrise radio says in his 25 years in the industry he has not witnessed a atmosphere quite like the one at Wembley on Saturday night the audience was up for it and so was the artist Badshah it was electrifying. “
Vijay Bhola, CEO, Rock On Music says, “Badshah’s debut UK performance was a testament to this commitment, drawing an ecstatic response from the crowd in this first-ever experience on British soil. This collaboration with our esteemed partners and sponsors has been a joyous journey, contributing to the curation of this unparalleled experience. But it’s not just about the beats; it’s about making an impact beyond the stage. We’re not just here for the music; we’re here to spread joy. Our charitable endeavors ensure that everyone, from all walks of life, gets to feel the rhythm and revel in the power of music. So, join us in turning up the volume, breaking barriers, and having a blast while doing it. Let’s shape the music industry, set the bar for excellence, and create a stage where both the newbies and the pros dazzle under the spotlight. Rock On Music: where every note isn’t just heard; it’s a vibrant tale, leaving an everlasting groove on your soul. Get ready to rock with us!”
As the first Indian hip hop artist-entrepreneur to have collaborated with Capital XTRA and Formula 1 for exclusive South Asian playlists as well to have worked alongside J Balvin, Sean Paul, Major Lazer, Diplo Tiesto and Lil Baby, Badshah showcased his exceptional vocal prowess and his aptitude to bridge culture and community with this much-talked about tour, which only further cements his legacy among a truly global fanbase.
The Badshah Live In UK Tour was produced by Rock On Music, Colors TV, Imagine X Global and Sunrise Radio.