Academy Award (Oscar) two-time winner and fivetime nominee; Grammy two-time winner; BAFTA; and Golden Globe winner,
the legendary AR Rahman, returns to the SSE Arena Wembley on Saturday
8th July 2017 after seven years with the “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”
concert.
Celebrating 25 years since his acclaimed, music debut Roja, the
visionary composer will be joined onstage by very special guests including
Benny Dayal, Javed Ali, Neeti Mohan, Haricharan, Jonita Gandhi, Ranjit
Barot and many more.
“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” marks the first in a global series, celebrating
25 years of the timeless music of AR Rahman and his team, who have crafted
and perfected performances that are enriched with high-scale technology and
production. Leading engineers from around the world have been brought on
board to present spectacular lighting and visuals as a backdrop to the live
sounds of the musical genius, creating a multi-media extravaganza that will
provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans and audiences.
Discussing the forthcoming UK show, AR Rahman says, “From Roja to
Rockstar, Kaatru Veliyidai and more, it has been an incredible musical journey
over these last 25 years. I’ve been immensely blessed to have the love and
support of my fans, music lovers, friends and well-wishers. It continues to
inspire and motivate me. Come, join me on the 8th of July at Wembley,
London! Accompanying me is an amazingly talented and energetic team of
singers and musicians.”
“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” will chronicle AR Rahman’s musical journey
from past to present to future. Popularly known as the man who has redefined
contemporary Indian music, he was named in 2009 as one of TIME
Magazine’s most influential people in the world. According to a BBC estimate,
he has sold more than 150 million copies of his work comprising music from
more than 160 film soundtracks and albums in over half a dozen languages.
Recent works include soundtracks for Gurinder Chadha’s Viceroy’s House
and sports film Sachin: A Billion Dreams, which have dominated airwaves and
delighted his fans globally.
In 2001, Andrew Lloyd Webber invited AR Rahman to compose for his
musical, Bombay Dreams. The production opened to packed houses in
London’s West End and had an unprecedented run for two years, later
premiering in New York. His music further led him to be noticed
internationally, with several of his tracks featuring in films such as The Lord Of
War, Inside Man and The Accidental Husband. His composition, the Bombay
Theme, has been featured in over 50 international compilations. He has also
scored the music for mainstream productions such as Slumdog Millionaire
and 127 Hours by Danny Boyle; Disney’s Million Dollar Arm and The
Hundred-Foot Journey; Shekhar Kapur’s Elizabeth – The Golden Age;
Couples Retreat; People Like Us; Pele; and the Chinese film, Warriors of
Heaven & Earth among others.
In 2011, AR Rahman joined super band, SuperHeavy, comprising Mick
Jagger, Joss Stone, Damian Marley and Dave Stewart and he has
collaborated with several other international artists including Nusrat Fateh Ali
Khan, Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton, MIA, Vanessa Mae, the Pussycat
Dolls, Sarah Brightman, Dido, Hossam Ramzy, Hans Zimmer and Akon.
The milestone concert falls during the British Council’s UK-India year of
culture. Two decades ago, to commemorate 50 years of Indian Independence,
Sony Music signed AR Rahman as their first artist in South Asia. The result
was Vande Mataram, an album that instantly connected Indians worldwide
and succeeded in rekindling the spirit of patriotism.
“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” is presented by Hamsini Entertainment,
UK and HueBox Entertainment, India.
“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”
Saturday 8th July, SSE Arena, Wembley
Ticket Purchases:
www.ssearena.co.uk/events/detail/ar-rahman