KroaKING is back and it’s bigger!

When Bangalore was introduced to Kroaknights, the trademark Opus karaoke nights, it redefined the meaning of Karaoke. This veritable vocal platform and has given rise to many a star! Anyone who’s ever been to Opus’ legendary Sunday Kroaknight knows the fun and madness involved. KroaKING is no different but in the midst of all the people, food, cocktails and music, is some serious talent.

Previous competitors have gone on to sing as playback singers for films and ad films and continue to perform regularly for corporate events. All of them also have a recording of a song on the limited edition CD, which Opus produces as part of every KroaKING season. The event has gone national for three years now and has conducted the contest for an evening in 10 cities across the country. The winners from each of these cities are flown down for the finals. There is also an online Sing-a-Ling that gives anyone and everyone a chance to send in their recording and be chosen as a wild card entry into the competition. This year, there are some formidable names and talent in the finals.

Christabel Menezes, finalist from Pune, says, “KroaKING, I think, is a great and much needed platform for people in India who just like to sing in English — very important when there is a lot of pressure in India to go Bollywood if you love to sing. Last year at the finals, the nerves really got to me, but since then I’ve grown into someone more comfortable with being on stage and I’m really looking forward to enjoying the experience in a more wholesome way.”

Varun Rao, a student from Manipal and a finalist, says, “Karaoke singing had always been something on my ‘To Do List’ and this seemed like the perfect platform. Now that I am in the finals, competing at such a level is a first for me and I sure hope it goes well. My passion for music keeps me occupied and I intend to learn and master a wide variety of instruments. As things stand, I can play the guitar, the drums and the saxophone.”

This year, the finals will be conducted in two rounds. The first round will feature the very best of the 80s. Eight will be chosen and they’ll compete in a sound that will focus on songs from Hollywood soundtracks. There have been some big names judging the contest in the previous year, which include, Shridhar Subramaniyam, MD, Sony BMG India, Sandeep Chowta, composer, Jayashree Singh, lead singer, Skinny Alley, Anushka Manchanda, renowned Bollywood singer and musician and Ashutosh Phatak from Blue Frog, Mumbai.

Winners from the event have gone on to become big names on the performing arts’ stage. These include Bharat Krishnan, aka Barry, a comic and performer, Sanam Puri, last year’s winner, who has been signed on by a big record label, Megha Girish, who’s sung for Tollywood films and Mark Swaroop.

The season finale will be held at the Catholic Club on Saturday, September 10, at 7pm. You can pick up your tickets by contacting 9844030198 and 9008303330.