Kathmandu witnessed a beautiful musical evening as Indian playback singer Sonu Nigam took the stage at the Hyatt grounds on Wednesday. Organised by Nepali Touch-Nepal, the event marked the organisation’s first major musical concert in Nepal after years of organising similar events in Australia. With around 12,000 attendees, the show created a lively atmosphere.

The concert aimed to connect international artists with Nepal and promote tourism through music. Nepali Touch-Nepal officially unveiled the ‘Sonu Nigam Live in Nepal’ event during an October 2024 program at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Ticket sales commenced shortly after via eSewa, with phase two prices ranging from Rs5,000 for general tickets to Rs1,00,000 for VVIP tables, which included a table for six and complimentary food and beverages. Door ticket sales on the concert day also witnessed a significant rush.

Sonu Nigam arrived in Kathmandu at noon on Wednesday. The final preparations for the concert, including sound and lighting, were completed a day earlier. Gates opened at 4:00 pm, and the venue was buzzing with excitement by the time the event commenced.

Hosted by Sanjay Silwal Gupta, the evening began with fans eagerly awaiting the singer’s arrival. At 7:00 pm, Nigam stepped onto the stage in a striking red suit, keeping with the Christmas spirit. He opened the concert with his Nepali song, ‘Ukali Orali Gardai’. His dynamic stage presence, highlighted by inviting the audience to sing along, made the event interactive and vibrant.

The singer performed a diverse setlist of his popular hits. He avoided repetition of songs that sound similar. Songs like ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ and ‘Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin' made the audiences emotional, while tracks such as ‘Tumse Milke Dil Ka' and ‘Aal Izz Well' got the crowd dancing.

The synchronisation of lighting with each song further amplified the experience. The display of various coloured lights created a visually captivating performance.

Food stalls at the venue offered a variety of options. The event was well executed, with attendees praising the sound quality, stage setup, and overall organisation.

However, though the gates opened at 4:00 pm, Nigam climbed the stage three hours later. Some of the attendees were complaining that they were made to wait for too long.

Nigam, known for his soulful voice and charismatic presence, thanked the audience for their love and enthusiasm. Nepali Touch-Nepal expressed that such events would pave the way for more international artists to perform in Nepal, contributing to the country's cultural and tourism sectors.