Live at Tuning Fork
27 November 2024
Live Music Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
King’s Reign at The Tuning Fork: A Cross-Cultural Masterpiece
Auckland’s Tuning Fork buzzed with anticipation last night as Arpan Kumar Chandel—better known as King—delivered a genre-blurring, high-energy performance that solidified his status as a global trailblazer. Known for seamlessly melding Indian melodies with international sounds, King proved why he’s not just an Indian sensation but a force in global music. The show wasn’t just a concert; it was a vibrant cultural mosaic, stitched together by rhythm, storytelling, and an infectious charisma.
The Build-Up: Local Flavours and Perseverance
The evening began with an intriguing, albeit nameless, local DJ who warmed up the crowd with a fusion of Indian and Western hits. Tracks like the Tere Pyaar Mein remix and DJ Bruno West’s viral Apple Bottom Jeans Hotel Partymashup teased a diverse night ahead. The audience, casually swaying, seemed ready for the main event while sipping on drinks and nodding to the beats.
Second on stage was Tricksingh, a vocoder-heavy rapper who initially left the audience divided. His voice manipulation and low-energy performance seemed mismatched until he revealed a backstory that shifted the narrative. A harrowing accident had left him partially deaf and injured—yet here he was, giving it his all. While the crowd remained reserved, his resilience earned respect. “I’m the fucker with the flow,” he declared, and by the end of his set, a smattering of applause signalled the audience was rooting for him.
Who is The King
As Rolling Stone India aptly describes, King’s artistry traverses a wide spectrum of styles—synthwave, jazz, rock, tropical house, and a subtle nod to Bollywood and Indipop—showcasing his versatility and fearless approach to genre-blending.
At just 27 years old, King has achieved milestones unparalleled by any other Indian rapper. This year, he made history as the first Indian pop artist to walk the red carpet at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, solidifying his place on the global stage.
King’s journey began in his school days, where he shared rap videos across social media platforms. In 2012, he launched his YouTube channel, King Rocco, setting the foundation for his rise. Over the years, King has become no stranger to high-profile collaborations, teaming up with global stars like Nick Jonas on the remix of Afterlife, as well as Julia Michaels, Gucci Mane, Jason Derulo, Ricky Rich, and Rayvanny. While Bruno Mars remains on his dream collaborator list, King continues to bask in the success of his career-defining hit, Maan Meri Jaan. Featured on his third album, Champagne Talk, the track has surpassed 1 billion streams across platforms and was crowned Spotify India’s #1 song of 2023.
Recently, King appeared at the ARIAS and performing sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne. The reception he received marked a triumphant debut in Australia, and now he is here in New Zealand for the first time ever.
The Arrival of the King
By the time King’s crew prepared the stage, anticipation reached a fever pitch. Phones were out, lights were on, and an audible cheer erupted as the first notes of Crown—his collaboration with Natania—set the tone. King emerged, flannel-clad and baseball-capped, looking more like a grunge revivalist than a rap star. But as he leapt into action, it was clear he owned the room.
The setlist was a masterstroke of versatility. From the drill-inflected swagger of Oops! to the jazzy-meets-rap hybrid Goat Shit, King showcased a chameleonic ability to defy genres. Songs like Dracula had the crowd chanting every Hindi word, while the pop anthems Laapata and Sarkaare proved his songwriting chops transcend rap. His eclectic influences—rock, reggae, jazz—shone through, challenging the very notion of what an Indian rap show could be.
More Than Music: The King's Humanity
Between tracks, King’s candid monologues revealed the heart behind the hype. He recounted his journey from the streets of Delhi to global stages, each anecdote a testament to perseverance. His fans—young, old, Indian, Kiwi—hung on his every word, a sea of phone lights creating a galaxy of connection. At one point, he paused to dedicate a song to “all the beautiful women in the house,” eliciting cheers that could’ve rivalled the night’s loudest beats.
A Masterclass in Showmanship
King’s stage presence was magnetic. Whether flipping microphones mid-verse or commanding singalongs, he carried himself with the confidence of a seasoned arena artist. His band—a tight-knit group of virtuosos—added layers rarely seen in hip-hop shows. Guitar solos, drum interludes, and slick bass lines blurred the lines between rap, rock, and jazz. King’s ability to pivot from melodic hooks to rapid-fire rhymes kept the audience guessing, their energy surging with each unexpected twist.
The Closer: A Choir of Kiwis
The grand finale of the night was none other than King’s record-breaking hit Maan Meri Jaan, a track that has amassed over half a billion streams on Spotify alone. Starting a cappella, he handed the reins to the audience, who drowned him out in a wave of heartfelt voices. Smiling, he stepped back, letting the moment wash over him—a king humbled by his people. The crowd erupted, singing every word in unison as the dance floor transformed into a sea of swaying hands and bouncing bodies, perfectly in sync with the song’s infectious rhythm. It was a fitting climax to an unforgettable night, cementing Maan Meri Jaan as the anthem that connects King with his ever-growing global audience.
Verdict: The King Has Arrived
King’s Auckland debut wasn’t just a concert—it was a cultural revelation. His genre-fluid artistry, paired with his unfiltered humanity, delivered a show that bridged worlds. For those lucky enough to witness it, one thing is clear: King isn’t just blending cultures; he’s redefining what global stardom looks like. Long live the King.
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
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