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Music News

Rihanna Performs First Full Concert in Almost 8 Years at Private Wedding Party in India: ‘The Show Was the Best’

Rihanna sang at a lavish pre-wedding event in a multi-day celebration for soon-to-be newlyweds Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant.

Rihanna attends the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 22, 2024 in Paris.

Rihanna attends the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 22, 2024 in Paris.

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Rihanna made her return to the stage at a pre-wedding gig for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar, India, on Friday (March 1).

The singer and Fenty mogul performed at a lavish party that was part of a multi-day celebration for the soon-to-be newlyweds, who will officially tie the knot July 12 in Mumbai. The nearly 1,200-person guest list included Rihanna as well as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Sunder Picha, Ivanka Trump and Bollywood celebrity Shah Rukh Khan, the AP reports.


Ambani is the son of multi-billionaire Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, and Nita Ambani, founder of the Reliance Foundation. Merchant is the daughter of Viren Merchant, CEO of Encore Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., and entrepreneur Shaila Merchant.

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“The show was the best,” Rihanna was seen saying on camera post-concert, while being approached by paparazzi. “I haven’t done a real show in eight years.”

Although Rihanna performed for the Super Bowl halftime show and at the Oscars last year, she hasn’t put on a full concert since her Anti World Tour in 2016. There were reportedly 19 songs on Friday night’s set list.

The Ambani dynasty is well-known for extravagant wedding festivities. When Mukesh’s daughter Isha got married in 2018, Beyoncé performed at the ceremony, and when the business titan’s oldest son Akash tied the knot in 2019, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and the Chainsmokers were hired.

See clips of Rihanna in India below, including videos of her performing “Bitch Better Have My Money,” “Work,” “Umbrella,” “Stay,” “All of the Lights,” “We Found Love,” “Diamonds” and more.

This article first appeared on Billboard U.S.

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Ron Sexsmith at NMC
Jarrett Edmund

Ron Sexsmith at NMC

Music News

National Music Centre Turns 10, Announces New Exhibits, Programs and Performances

The Calgary-based non-profit houses four of Canada’s national music halls of fame, and it will celebrate its milestone anniversary with new exhibits, programs and events.

The National Music Centre (NMC) is turning 10, and to celebrate the Calgary-based National Music Centre will present many special events and exhibits over the coming year.

Things kicked off yesterday (April 9) with a launch party headlined by internationally renowned Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith. He performed for media, partners and supporters and was joined by Métis Canadian folk singer-songwriter Andrina Turenne and drum group Eya-Hey Nakoda. The latter played the ceremonial first sound in Studio Bell when it officially opened 10 years ago.

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