Sonu Nigam sets South African records for Indian shows

Sonu Nigam not only brought a 40-piece concert orchestra to the African continent for the first time, but sold out for major venues in Durban and Sun City for an Indian concert in record time.

Johannesburg: Indian playback singer Sonu Nigam set several records with sold-out concerts in two South African cities at the weekend on the next leg of his world tour with his show ‘Klose to My Heart’.

Nigam not only brought a 40-piece concert orchestra to the African continent for the first time, but sold out for major venues in Durban and Sun City for an Indian concert in record time.

He performed on Saturday night to more than 6,000 fans at the Sun City Superbowl.

"Wherever I go, whether in America, Dubai or elsewhere; whenever they ask me, about my favourite audience; then I say to them all of you are great, but one of my most favourite audiences have been the audience of South Africa," Nigam said before he belted out scores of his own personal favourites of songs by legendary singers from Indian cinema and those made famous by himself during his career.

Explaining the concept of his latest venture, Nigam said it was not easy to put together as he thanked the musicians and technicians.

Nigam promised them an experience of a lifetime as he introduced the sole female member of the 60-piece band, violinist Shruti Bhave, to play the opening strains of one of his most popular songs, "Suraj Hua Madham".

Introducing the orchestra, Nigam said, "They will give you an experience of what it must have been like when greats like Mohammed Rafi sahab and other were playing together.?So enjoy the feeling of being in that zone."