Shankar Ehsaan Loy's long awaited US tour is here!

There is reason for fans of Indian music in the US to rejoice this summer. Shankar Ehsaan Loy will be here for a series of dates that will see them start on the East Coast, criss-cross over America and finish in August in Boston. If you aren't in one of the big metros that will feature on of their concerts, hopefully you'll be close enough to one.

There are some really good reasons to catch them live this summer.

SEL, made up of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendosa, are one of India's most original music composers. Each of them are accomplished musicians in their own right. But its their unique styles that powers their distinctive sound. When SEL composes songs, you can expect to hear modern arrangements with a very Indian flavor. They'll do rock, blues, dance, ballads and Hindustani with ease, often blending several of these genres in one song (London Dreams). When you least expect it, they'll stick to just one genre and produce a memorable chart buster, be it rock (Rock On!!) or pop (Wake Up Sid).


They are at the top of their game. SEL's success has made them highly in-demand composers (they also produce their songs). They are right behind A R Rahman in terms of musical credibility in Indian films. In terms of chartbusting success, they duke it out with Pritam for the #2 spot. Most importantly, they are voracious concert performers. Their act is finely honed, rousing and entertaining.

They get by with a little help from their friends. SEL will be joined by three notable singers: Shafqat Amanat Ali, Richa Sharma and Mahalaxmi Iyer, the latter two of which are among my favorites.

To get you warmed up:

Maha unleashes her inner rebel on Ni Mai Yaar Manana Ni
Richa belts out one of my favorite songs Maahi Ve
Shafqat performs the immersive Aakhon Ke Saagar
Shankar and Ehsaan talk about their US tour

July 17: New Jersey. Tix: (201) 805-9426
July 18: Toronto Sky Dome. Tix: Mohinder Singh, Eglinton Carpet (416) 783-1141 / (416) 407-0000
July 23: Chicago Rosemont Theatre. Tix: Sahil & LA Tan (773) 764-7576
July 24: SFO Oakland Arena. Tix: Mehta Entertainment (510) 785-2300 or (877) 445-8517
July 30: Washington D.C. Constitution Hall. Tix: Menu Sabharwal (703) 989-1289
July 31: Dallas Garland Special Event Center. Tix: Mehta Production (972) 971-9095 or (972) 398-3828

August 1: Los Angeles The Forum. Tix: Mehta Entertainment (877) 445-8517 or (510) 785-2300
August 6: Houston Berry Center. Tix: Rajinder Singh, StarPromotions (281) 345-4500
August 7: Atlanta. Tix: Raheem Paracha (770) 899-4737
August 8: Boston. Stay tuned for details.