Pop icons liven up Lahore

Noori, Komal Rizvi, Q entertain university-goers with electrifying live performances

LAHORE:

For years, artists have mulled over the lack of public spaces or patronage for music in Pakistan. But the truth is that the music scene is finally heading in the right direction with platforms such as Coke Studio, Nescafe Basement and Lahore Music Meet that have stood the test of time. Corporate-sponsored shows have been the name of the game this year, breathing life into a gig culture that was previously gasping for air. From Patari Aslis to Pepsi Unplugged, the latest effort to reclaim live music spaces is Cornetto Pop Rock.

The Lahore leg of the project had Noori, Komal Rizvi and Q (Qurram Hussain) perform on Friday for an audience that was made up mostly of feverish university goers who were in a general state of euphoria. Although it was to be hosted by the bubbly Anoushey Ashraf who injects her individualistic dose of energy, RJ Khalid Malik stepped in due to a change of plan. Ali Azmat was supposed to close to show last night but he told The Express Tribune that “the show ran later than the time the organisers had taken permission for. The police showed up asking them to shut everything down so we couldn’t finish our set”.



The show kicked off with the performance of a university band, the winner of the Lahore auditions. Komal then made her way to the stage and belted out covers and originals such as Daane Pe Daana, Lal Meri Pat, Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan, Kameez Teri Kaali, Kadhi Te Has Bol and Washmallay. The concert also saw the launch of the first collaborative song of Komal and Q which has been shot in Karachi. “It’s an old Pakistani song about the revival of music in Pakistan and we thought it would be fitting to add some cultural monuments of Karachi in it,” said Q about the video of the song. He also performed a few Josh numbers and covers and was pleased with the turnout at the event. “It’s great that students are being engaged because the concept of concerts has become very private. True fans got a chance to come so the overall energy was high.”

Noori, the duo of brothers Ali Hamza and Ali Noor, arrived next, performing their hits Aik Alif, Pinjra, Hey Ya, Kuttay, Saari Raat Jaaga along with an acoustic version of their long-time crowd pleaser Manwa Re.



Following the success of the Lahore leg of the venture, the Islamabad event is slated to take place on the May 21, which will conclude the first season of the project. It also features acts such as Umair Jaswal, Zoe Viccaji and Ali Zafar.

The idea behind the venture is to resurrect the live music scene across universities in Pakistan. Set to take place annually across Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, the project features a series of concerts. Additionally, duets and music videos of the artists involved are also in the works. Ali and Noori are working on one, Umair and Zoe on another and Q and Komal Rizvi have worked on Desan Da Raja (which they performed as well). Three singles by Ali, Noori and Umair will also be released in the coming weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2016.

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