Indian music icon Lucky Ali is preparing for his return to Australia this October with his Journey Through the Decades tour. The celebrated singer promises audiences a fresh experience featuring classic hits, songs missed from previous performances, and new material.
Speaking to The Indian Sun before his shows in Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide over Zoom from Bengaluru, India, Ali shares that crafting the setlist is a team effort. “We’re performing songs we didn’t do last time, along with fan favourites and some new pieces,” he reveals.
“The band is particularly excited about this tour. I travel with a wonderful group of musicians, and we’re all looking forward to sharing our music with everyone.”
Creating a setlist that appeals to multiple generations requires careful collaboration between Ali, his management, and his band. He emphasises the uniqueness of live performances. “The band aren’t simply recreating the album recordings. They bring their own interpretation to the music, which makes each performance special. Playing live and recording are two completely different experiences.”
Despite his decades on stage, Ali admits that performance anxiety remains a constant companion. “I’m nearly always petrified that I might make a mistake,” he confesses. “That fear has never left me since I began performing. There’s a sense of relief when it’s over—that feeling of ‘right, that’s done’.”
For Ali, performing for Australia’s Indian diaspora feels like a family reunion. “Indians remain the same wherever they are in the world,” he observes. “When we visit from India, they come to see us, and for a while, we share that sense of being at home together. That connection is something we hope to both bring with us and take back home.”
The upcoming tour will feature a special collaboration with Sydney-based Mongolian musician Bukhu Ganburged, who will join Ali on several tracks with his remarkable double-voice throat singing technique.
Regarding his lasting appeal, especially among younger listeners, Ali remains characteristically modest. “People recognise I’m not a technically perfect singer,” he says. “The songs are straightforward—everyone can sing along. Perhaps that simplicity is why they endure.”
Coming from a renowned artistic family—his father was the legendary actor Mehmood Ali, his mother Mahliqa was the sister of actress Meena Kumari—Ali describes his music as discovery rather than creation. “I’ve simply discovered what my family left behind. My work is about uncovering these artistic treasures, and that’s how I prefer to express myself.”
His breakthrough hit O Sanam, which transformed India’s 1990s music landscape, remains particularly special. “When I created that song, it genuinely touched my heart,” he recalls. “That’s how I know when music works—it has to move me emotionally, whether I’m making it or listening to it. Otherwise, it’s just another transient song.”
Reflecting on industry changes since his 1996 debut, Ali describes his move towards independence. “About ten years back, I stepped away from record companies to release my own music.”
His current arrangement with Farmhouse Music, the company run by his sons Mezaan and Tasmiyah provides better structure. “Previously, others made all the decisions—I’d just perform and leave, often feeling detached. Now we have proper systems, especially important when touring with twelve or thirteen people and all the technical requirements.”
When in Australia, Ali enjoys visiting instrument shops. “There’s real joy in finding a beautiful guitar or keyboard,” he says.
When asked for a final message to Australian fans, Ali shares an amusing memory: “Years ago, an elderly woman told me, ‘Whenever you visit Australia, remember cheese apples.’ I’ve never understood what it means, but the phrase always comes to mind.”
The October tour promises to deliver Lucky Ali’s heartfelt music and creative energy to Australian audiences, blending new compositions with beloved classics in what promises to be a memorable musical experience.
What’s more, fans can also anticipate new music with two songs scheduled for release as he departs for the tour.
Catch Lucky Ali live at these shows:
- Friday, 3 October – Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide, SA
- Monday, 6 October – Sydney Opera House (Public Holiday), Sydney, NSW
- Friday, 10 October – Northcote Theatre (GA Standing), Naarm/Melbourne, Vic
- Sunday, 12 October – Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland, NZ
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